For Staying in Aviation & Electronics
FAA A&P Certificate: If you have 18+ months of documented military aircraft maintenance experience, you may qualify for the FAA Airframe & Powerplant certificate by completing the military competency exam administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). The FAA's mechanic certification page details the process and requirements. Do not pay for A&P school if you can test directly — verify your eligibility first.
SkillBridge Programs: Several MRO companies and defense contractors participate in DOD SkillBridge, allowing AETs to work civilian aviation jobs during their last 180 days of service. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings. Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, and Textron Aviation have historically participated.
Industry Associations: The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) provides networking, job boards, and scholarship opportunities for avionics professionals. AEA membership is valuable for connecting with avionics shops and OEMs.
For Careers Outside of Aviation
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard for transitioning into project management. Your experience managing aircraft maintenance schedules, coordinating with supply chains, and leading maintenance teams counts toward the experience requirement. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member) for the exam.
IT & Cybersecurity: If your avionics work included network-enabled systems or encrypted communications, the CompTIA Security+ certification is a strong entry point into federal and defense IT roles. Many DoD positions require it under DoD 8570/8140 compliance.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately. Key agencies for AETs: FAA, USCG Civilian, DHS, NAVAIR, AFSC depots, and NASA. Federal resumes are 2 pages max. Build yours here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives — you get paired with someone in your target industry. Completely free for veterans.
Education Benefits: Many certification exam fees and prep courses are covered by the GI Bill. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval before enrolling.
Clearance Leverage: If you hold an active Secret or higher clearance, that has real market value. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions requiring active clearances. Don't let yours lapse during transition — it stays active for up to 24 months after separation.
BMR Career Resources
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