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Civilian Career Paths & Job Guide
Everything you need to translate your 6173 experience into a civilian career — salary data, companies hiring, resume examples, and certifications by career path.
Marine Corps MOS 6173 Helicopter Crew Chiefs are a rare breed in military aviation. They fill a dual role that does not exist in most other branches: they are both aircraft maintainers and active aircrew members. A 6173 is responsible for keeping the aircraft mission-ready on the ground and then flying on it as a crew member during operations.
Crew Chiefs serve primarily on the CH-53E Super Stallion (and the newer CH-53K King Stallion) or the UH-1Y Venom. Their ground duties include pre-flight and post-flight inspections, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, corrosion control, and detailed maintenance documentation in OOMA (Optimized Organizational Maintenance Activity). Their aircrew duties include door gunner operations, helicopter rope suspension techniques (HRST), hoist operations, external load hookups, and in-flight systems monitoring.
Training starts at CNATT (Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training) in Pensacola, FL, where Marines learn the fundamentals of aviation maintenance. From there, they move to a fleet readiness squadron (FRS) for aircraft-specific training before joining an operational squadron. Common duty stations include MCAS New River (NC), MCAS Miramar (CA), MCAS Kaneohe Bay (HI), and overseas assignments in Okinawa, Japan.
What makes a 6173 uniquely valuable to civilian employers is the combination of hands-on mechanical expertise with operational aviation experience. These Marines do not just fix aircraft — they fly on them. That means they understand aircraft systems from both the maintenance bay and the cockpit perspective. Add in the safety discipline required for aircrew operations, leadership of maintenance teams, and meticulous documentation habits, and you have a skillset that translates across multiple civilian career paths.
Helicopter Crew Chiefs translate to civilian rotor-wing maintenance roles, FAA A&P licensing, and DoD depot positions consistently — Sikorsky, Lockheed, and DoD aviation programs all actively recruit 6173s. From the federal hiring side, the airframe and aircrew dual background is the package. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
The civilian aviation maintenance industry actively recruits former military crew chiefs. Your combination of airframe maintenance experience and flight operations knowledge gives you a head start that most civilian technicians do not have. The key to unlocking civilian aviation careers is the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate — and your military experience counts toward the requirements.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $78,680 (O*NET 49-3011.00). Employment stands at approximately 139,400 workers with average projected growth of 3-4% through 2034 and roughly 11,300 annual job openings. For avionics technicians (49-2091.00), the median is $81,390 with much faster than average growth (7%+).
Here are the primary private sector career paths for former 6173s:
This is the most direct path. With your military maintenance experience, you can apply to the FAA for your A&P certificate using FAA Form 8610-2 and your military training records. Many 6173s qualify for at least the Airframe rating based on documented maintenance hours. The Powerplant rating may require additional study or experience depending on how much engine work your specific squadron assigned. BLS median: $78,680/year.
Your platform-specific knowledge on the CH-53 or UH-1Y makes you especially attractive to helicopter operators. Companies running Sikorsky S-92s, S-76s, or Bell 412s value Marines who already understand rotary-wing systems, rotor track and balance, flight control rigging, and dynamic component maintenance. Helicopter-specific positions often pay above the general A&P median due to the specialized skillset.
If you held CDI (Collateral Duty Inspector) or QAR (Quality Assurance Representative) qualifications, you already performed inspection work. Civilian aviation inspectors — including FAA Designated Airworthiness Representatives — earn strong salaries. Transportation inspectors (53-6051.00) earn a BLS median of $85,750. Read more about aircraft mechanic civilian careers.
Large MRO facilities like those run by HAECO, ST Engineering, AAR Corp, and StandardAero employ hundreds of A&P mechanics for heavy maintenance checks on commercial and military aircraft. Your depot-level maintenance familiarity (if you supported I-level or worked with depot teams) is a direct match.
HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) operators like Air Methods, PHI Health, and Med-Trans Corporation need experienced helicopter mechanics at bases across the country. These positions often involve single-mechanic bases where you maintain one or two aircraft independently — a good fit for crew chiefs who are used to owning their aircraft.
Companies like Bristow Group, PHI Inc., and Era Group operate large helicopter fleets supporting offshore oil platforms, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy-lift helicopter experience on the CH-53 translates well to the S-92 and AW189 platforms used offshore. These positions tend to pay above average due to the remote work environment.
Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin), Bell Textron, and Boeing all hire former military crew chiefs as field service representatives, technical writers, and production technicians. Your platform knowledge — especially if you worked on the CH-53K King Stallion program — has direct value to the OEM. These roles often come with Secret clearance requirements, which you already hold. See how Army 15T Black Hawk Repairers make a similar transition.
| Civilian Job Title | Industry | BLS Median Salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aircraft Mechanic / A&P Technician O*NET: 49-3011.00 | Aviation / Airlines / MRO | $78,680 | Average (3-4%) | strong |
Helicopter Maintenance Technician O*NET: 49-3011.00 | Helicopter Operations / HEMS / Oil & Gas | $78,680 | Average (3-4%) | strong |
Avionics Technician O*NET: 49-2091.00 | Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | $81,390 | Much faster than average (7%+) | strong |
Aviation Maintenance Inspector O*NET: 53-6051.00 | Government / Aviation / Airlines | $85,750 | Slower than average (1-2%) | strong |
Aerospace Engineering Technician O*NET: 17-3021.00 | Aerospace / Defense Manufacturing | $79,830 | Much faster than average (7%+) | moderate |
Industrial Engineer O*NET: 17-2112.00 | Manufacturing / Aerospace / Defense | $101,140 | Much faster than average (7%+) | moderate |
Project Management Specialist O*NET: 13-1082.00 | Multiple Industries | $100,750 | Faster than average (5-6%) | moderate |
General & Operations Manager O*NET: 11-1021.00 | Multiple Industries | $102,950 | Average (3-4%) | moderate |
NAVAIR, Fleet Readiness Centers, and DLA Aviation employ hundreds of aircraft mechanics and maintenance specialists across WG-8852 and related series. Former 6173s with CH-53 or UH-1Y experience bring maintenance documentation, safety compliance, and hands-on troubleshooting that federal aviation employers need. Your military experience maps to many GS and WG job series beyond just aircraft mechanic positions.
Major federal employers for former helicopter crew chiefs include NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command), MCSC (Marine Corps Systems Command), Army AMCOM (Aviation and Missile Command), DLA (Defense Logistics Agency), FAA, and NASA. Use BMR's federal resume builder to create a properly formatted federal resume before applying on USAJobs.
For formatting guidance specific to federal applications, see the federal resume format guide. Federal resumes are 2 pages max and follow different rules than private sector resumes.
| GS Series | Federal Job Title | Typical Grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0802 | Engineering Technician | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → |
Not everyone wants to stay in a related field. These career paths leverage your transferable skills — leadership, risk management, logistics, project planning — in completely different industries.
Crew chiefs plan and execute phase inspections, manage maintenance schedules across multiple aircraft, coordinate parts and personnel, and meet strict deadlines. These are project management fundamentals performed under high pressure.
Aviation safety culture is among the strictest in any industry. ORM, HAZREP, tool control, FOD prevention, CRM — these are all safety management processes. Your background managing safety in a zero-tolerance environment translates directly to OSHA compliance and EHS roles.
Crew chiefs constantly look for ways to improve maintenance processes, reduce downtime, and increase aircraft readiness. Industrial engineering formalizes this into a career. Your understanding of complex systems, maintenance workflows, and quality standards is directly applicable.
Crew chiefs manage aviation parts requisition, track component time and life limits, coordinate with supply for critical parts, and plan logistics for deployments and detachments. This is supply chain and logistics management experience.
Senior crew chiefs and maintenance supervisors run complex operations with multi-million dollar equipment, manage personnel, maintain readiness standards, and report metrics to leadership. These are operations management skills at every level.
For crew chiefs who want to leave aviation but stay hands-on, general maintenance roles in facilities management, property management, or government buildings use similar mechanical skills in a lower-stress environment. Lower pay than aviation but better work-life balance.
Your hands-on aircraft systems knowledge combined with documentation skills makes you a strong candidate for aerospace engineering technician roles. These positions support engineers with testing, data collection, and technical analysis on aircraft and spacecraft programs.
If you are staying in aviation maintenance, your terminology is the industry standard. A&P shops, MROs, and helicopter operators know exactly what a pre-flight inspection and a MAF mean. This section is for careers outside aviation — where the hiring manager has no idea what OOMA is or why a "phase inspection" matters.
The translations below reframe your 6173 experience into language that works for non-aviation industries: manufacturing, construction, project management, operations, and safety. These are not just word swaps — they show how to present your experience so a hiring manager in a completely different field understands the value. For a broader list of military-to-civilian term conversions, check out 50 military terms and their civilian equivalents.
Which certifications you need depends on where you're headed. Find your target career path below.
FAA A&P Certification: File FAA Form 8610-2 with your military training records and maintenance documentation to apply for your Airframe and/or Powerplant certificate. Your CNATT training and fleet maintenance hours count toward the experience requirements. Contact your local FSDO (Flight Standards District Office) to schedule your oral and practical exams. The FAA Aviation Mechanic page has current requirements.
SkillBridge with Airlines & MROs: Several airlines and MRO companies participate in DOD SkillBridge, letting you work at a civilian aviation company during your last 180 days of service while still receiving military pay. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, AAR Corp, and StandardAero have participated. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings.
PAMA (Professional Aviation Maintenance Association): The PAMA is the primary networking organization for aviation maintenance professionals. Local chapters host events and job fairs. Membership is affordable and puts you in direct contact with hiring managers at airlines, MROs, and OEMs.
HAI (Helicopter Association International): The HAI is the helicopter industry's trade organization. Their annual HAI HELI-EXPO is the largest helicopter event in the world — companies actively recruit there. HAI also offers scholarships and maintenance awards for transitioning military.
Similar Military Aviation Roles: Compare your transition path with related military aviation specialties: USMC 6116 Tiltrotor Mechanic, Navy AD Aviation Machinist's Mate, Navy AM Aviation Structural Mechanic, and Air Force 2A3X3 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance.
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard for project managers. Your maintenance program management, phase inspections, and deployment planning hours may count toward the experience requirement. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member). GI Bill covers many prep courses.
Safety & EHS Careers: Start with OSHA 30-Hour ($150-300, available online). For the bigger career move, pursue the CSP (Certified Safety Professional) from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Your aviation safety culture — ORM, HAZREP, tool control, FOD prevention — is directly relevant experience. See the best certifications for veterans in 2026.
Federal Employment: Create your USAJobs profile at least 6 months before separation. Federal hiring moves slowly. Key agencies: NAVAIR, DLA, Army AMCOM, FAA, NASA. Federal resumes are 2 pages max. Build yours free at BMR.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives. ACP is legitimate, completely free for veterans, and pairs you with someone in your target industry.
Education Benefits: Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval before enrolling. Many A&P schools, certification prep courses, and degree programs accept GI Bill. Do not assume — verify first. Free certification programs for veterans.
Clearance Leverage: Your Secret clearance has real market value with defense contractors. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions requiring active clearances. Do not let yours lapse during transition — it stays active for up to 24 months after separation if not renewed.
Coast Guard Aviation Comparison: See how Coast Guard aviation maintainers transition: CG AMT Aviation Maintenance Technician and CG AET Aviation Electrical Technician.
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