Home / Military to civilian jobs / Navy / AW
That is Navy Rating AW. Civilian jobs, federal paths, and how the work reads on a resume.
What is in this guide
What the translation looks like
How it reads in service
Maintained NATOPS currency on three platform variants across 600+ flight hours
How a hiring manager reads it
Maintained operational qualification under formal safety and procedural standards across three system variants over 600+ operational hours
Roles this background maps to
Median pay, BLS OEWS May 2024
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Brad TachiNavy Diver · BMR founder
After the Navy he was hired into six federal career fields and tech sales, and sat on federal hiring panels along the way. The last two years went into rebuilding all of it into BMR, tuned for how resumes get screened today. 71,892 resumes built so far.
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Naval Aircrewman (AW) is the rating the Navy used to call Aviation Warfare Systems Operator, a title retired in 2008. The rate has been split into platform-specific specialties: AWF (Mechanical) on C-2 Greyhounds and C-130 Hercules, AWO (Operator) on P-8A Poseidon, AWR (Tactical Helicopter) on MH-60R, AWS (Helicopter) on MH-60S, and AWV (Avionics) on E-6B Mercury. If your service record carries any of those, this page is built for you.
The job is operational aircrew. You are the enlisted brain inside the airframe. On a P-8A you run acoustic and electronic surveillance against submarines, monitor radar, drop sonobuoys, and feed targeting data to the Tactical Coordinator. On an MH-60R you operate the dipping sonar, the FLIR, and the Hellfire-capable weapons systems for ASW and surface warfare. On an MH-60S you run search and rescue, vertical replenishment, special warfare insert/extract, and door-gunner duties. On C-2/C-130 platforms you handle cargo, personnel transport, aerial delivery, and crew chief responsibilities.
The pipeline starts at NAS Pensacola with Naval Aircrew Candidate School and Aviation Warfare Operator "A" School, then branches into platform-specific FRS (Fleet Replacement Squadron) training depending on which AW you are. Total time from boot camp to deployable aircrew runs roughly 8 to 14 months. Every Naval Aircrewman holds a Secret clearance at minimum, with TS/SCI common on intelligence-collection platforms and special mission units.
Civilian aviation employers value Naval Aircrewmen because the rate produces something rare: aircrew who already understand mission planning, sensor integration, weapons employment, crew resource management, and FAA-equivalent flight safety standards. You are not someone who has read about flight ops. You have logged hundreds of flight hours on tactical aircraft, often into hostile environments, and your name is in maintenance logs and flight records that the FAA, DoD, and federal LE aviation programs recognize. For context on related Navy aviation paths, see AT Aviation Electronics Technician and AD Aviation Machinist's Mate, and the military-to-civilian jobs crosswalk for adjacent rates.
I sat on the federal hiring side after the Navy, and Naval Aircrewmen are exactly the kind of cleared aircrew federal aviation programs scramble to find. The combination of credentialed aircrew operations, sensor and weapons systems experience, and active TS clearance makes AWs strong fits at NGA, the Coast Guard civilian fleet, FAA, and major airframer companies that need former operators. The hardest part of an AW transition is reframing aircrew tempo into civilian operational language. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
The number that decides most of this: how does civilian pay compare to what the paycheck looks like now?
Navy mid-career
$58K to $82K
E-5 to E-7 total comp: base plus BAH, BAS and the tax advantage.
Civilian Naval Aircrewman
$66K to $137K
BLS median across the direct-match civilian roles on this page.
Federal, GS-9 to GS-13
$58K to $120K
6 matching GS series, plus locality pay and step increases.
About 35% higher on average
Civilian roles for Naval Aircrewmans pay about $25K more than mid-career enlisted total comp.
Military comp is approximate and moves with location and dependents. Civilian is the BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. The real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step and overtime.
The civilian market for former Naval Aircrewmen splits into four distinct lanes, and the lane you pick changes both pay and geography.
Commercial pilot is one of the cleanest paths if you bring civilian flight time and ratings on top of your Navy aircrew experience. BLS OEWS May 2024 lists median pay for Commercial Pilots (53-2012.00) at $113,080, with growth at 4 percent through 2033. Cargo and contract operators (Atlas Air, Kalitta, Omni Air) value former military flight crew because the operational tempo translates. Without a left-seat rating, your hours and systems knowledge still convert into Flight Engineer, Loadmaster, and Sensor Operator roles on contract aviation programs run by L3Harris, Sierra Nevada, and Tetra Tech.
Major airframer and contractor work is where most former AWs land. Boeing, Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, and Bell Textron all hire former operators into Field Service Representative, Test and Evaluation, and Technical Trainer roles where your platform knowledge becomes the product. These positions generally start at $90K to $130K depending on clearance and specialty. Sikorsky and Bell pay premium rates for MH-60 and V-22 SMEs because that institutional knowledge is hard to replicate from outside the rate.
The FAA, NGA, CBP Air and Marine Operations, and the Coast Guard civilian fleet hire cleared aircrew at GS-11 to GS-13 entry levels. Air Traffic Controllers (53-2021.00) earn a BLS median of $137,380, though FAA hiring is age-restricted and pipeline-controlled. Aviation Inspector roles (GS-1825 series, 53-6051) lean directly on your aircrew experience and pay $90K to $135K depending on grade. See Coast Guard AMT for adjacent federal aviation paths.
Many AWs leave the cockpit entirely and move into operations management or aviation program management. Operations Managers (11-1021.00) earn a BLS median of $101,280 across industries. Your background as aircrew running multi-million-dollar mission profiles maps cleanly to operations leadership in logistics, aviation services, and government contracting. The salary translation is real: see the military-to-civilian salary guide for benchmarks. When you are ready, build your aircrew transition resume using BMR.
Geographic concentration matters. Defense aviation work clusters around Jacksonville, Norfolk, San Diego, Pensacola, Patuxent River, Fort Worth, Stratford CT, and the DC corridor. Federal aviation programs concentrate in DC, Oklahoma City (FAA Aeronautical Center), and the southwest border for CBP Air operations.
| Civilian job title | Industry | BLS median salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial PilotO*NET 53-2012.00 | Aviation | $113,080 | 4% (As fast as average) | moderate |
| Air Traffic ControllerO*NET 53-2021.00 | Aviation / Federal | $137,380 | 1% (Little or no change) | moderate |
| Aviation InspectorO*NET 53-6051.00 | Federal / Aviation Safety | $91,420 | 4% (As fast as average) | strong |
| Aircraft Mechanic / Service TechnicianO*NET 49-3011.00 | Aviation Maintenance | $70,140 | 5% (Faster than average) | moderate |
| Intelligence AnalystO*NET 13-1199.00 | Federal / Defense Contracting | $82,750 | 6% (Faster than average) | strong |
| Operations ManagerO*NET 11-1021.00 | Cross-industry | $101,280 | 6% (Faster than average) | strong |
| Field Service Representative (Aviation)O*NET 49-9099.00 | Defense Contracting | $95,000 | Industry-tracked (BLS does not track separately) | strong |
| Technical Trainer / InstructorO*NET 13-1151.00 | Defense / Aviation Training | $65,760 | 4% (As fast as average) | moderate |
P-3 / P-8 sustainment, MH-60R sensors, broad aviation programs.
MH-60R/S OEM. Hires former AWR/AWS as Field Service Reps and trainers.
P-8A Poseidon OEM. Hires former AWO into FSR and Test/Eval roles.
V-22 Osprey, AH-1Z, UH-1Y. Hires former rotary-wing aircrew as SMEs and trainers.
ISR sensor systems and contract aviation. Strong fit for P-8/EP-3 backgrounds.
MQ-4C Triton OEM. Hires former AW with TS/SCI into operations and engineering support.
Avionics, electronic warfare, and platform sustainment roles.
Includes Pratt & Whitney engines and Collins Aerospace avionics.
Mission systems, EP-3 sustainment, and broader DoD aviation programs.
Worldwide aviation services and contract logistics. Hires former aircrew and crew chiefs.
Aviation training, range operations, and readiness contracts. Strong AW pipeline.
O&M and aviation logistics across DoD. Common destination for former Naval Aircrew.
Aviation Safety Inspectors, Air Traffic Controllers, and aviation operations specialists.
Federal aviation law enforcement. Hires former military aircrew for sensor and detection operations.
BMR rewrites your AW experience for any of the roles above, in the language the people reading actually scan for.
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Upload it and get a number in about a minute, plus the AW lines a civilian hiring manager will not follow and what to write instead. No account.
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“I am wrapping up a 21 year Naval career, all of which was working on fighters. I had picked up a job as a contractor for a company on the same base I’ve been at for the last ten years. I submitted that resume while on deployment and it worked great. Thanks again Brad. Dave ”
David · Chief Petty Officer (E-7) · Navy · Aviation
Federal aviation jobs are an under-discussed lane for cleared aircrew, and the GS structure rewards exactly the experience Naval Aircrewmen already carry.
The Aviation Safety series sits at the FAA, NTSB, DoD, and Coast Guard civilian programs. Entry is typically GS-12 with prior aircrew time, climbing to GS-13 and GS-14 within a few years. Your platform hours and qualifications count as the operational experience required by OPM standards. Aviation Safety Inspectors at the FAA conduct certification, surveillance, and accident investigation across commercial and general aviation operations.
FAA Air Traffic Control hiring runs through specific bid windows on USAJOBS, with a maximum entry age of 30 (with veteran exceptions for those who served as military controllers). For AWs who did not work directly in tower or radar control, the GS-2150 Transportation Operations and GS-1825 Aviation Safety paths are more practical entry points than ATC.
This series covers aviation operations specialists, dispatch, mission planning, and airspace coordination roles. AWs from P-8 mission planning, MH-60 operational support, and E-2D/E-6B platforms fit cleanly. Common at TRANSCOM, the DoD components, and military airfields.
P-8 AWOs and E-6B AWVs sit on top of huge collection datasets every flight. That background plus an active TS/SCI maps to GS-0132 Intelligence at NGA, ONI, DIA, and combatant commands. Entry usually GS-11 or GS-12 for aircrew with mission analysis experience. See AG Aerographer's Mate for an adjacent intel-adjacent rate.
This is the catch-all for program managers, training coordinators, and operations leads who do not fit neatly into a technical series. Useful for AWs moving into aviation training, FRS instructor pipelines as civilians, or contractor-to-civilian transitions inside DoD aviation programs.
Veterans' Preference adds 5 or 10 points to your USAJOBS rating and gives you priority on referral lists. For 30 percent or higher disabled vets, the appointing authority can hire you noncompetitively under VRA or Schedule A. The federal resume itself is a different format than civilian resumes, with month/year dates, hours per week, supervisor info, and detailed duty descriptions. BMR's federal resume builder handles the formatting, or you can start your federal resume now.
| Series | Federal job title | Typical grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1825 | Aviation Safety | GS-12, GS-13, GS-14 | 5 of 5 | View details |
| GS-2150 | Transportation Operations | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 5 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0132 | Intelligence | GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-2152 | Air Traffic Control | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0856 | Electronics Technician | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 3 of 5 | View details |
Federal raters match your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement. BMR writes the federal format for any GS series above, with the hours per week and supervisor detail a rater looks for.
Free to start. Federal and private sector formats included.
Not everyone stays in a related field. These paths run on the transferable half of the job: leadership, risk, logistics, planning.
Reading a sonar or acoustic display to identify what is hidden below is, at its core, the same skill as reading an ultrasound. You already spent your career making sense of acoustic returns no one else could.
Transfers: Interpreting acoustic return signals to identify hidden objects, Real-time reading of a live sensor display, Pattern recognition in noisy signal data, Precise documentation of findings.
How to get there: Complete an accredited 2-year sonography program (associate degree) and earn ARDMS certification. GI Bill covers most programs, and prior acoustic-sensor experience is a real edge.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Much faster than average (7% or higher)
You watched mission sensor feeds and caught the anomaly before it became a problem. Cardiac and vascular labs pay for that same vigilance: reading live waveforms and flagging the pattern that matters.
Transfers: Monitoring live waveform and sensor data, Recognizing abnormal signal patterns quickly, Staying composed during critical readings, Operating diagnostic instrumentation.
How to get there: Complete a 1 to 2 year cardiovascular technology program and earn the appropriate credential (RCIS or RCS). Many hospitals hire and train veterans into these roles.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Average (3% to 4%)
Anti-submarine work trained you to turn acoustic and seismic returns into a picture of what lies beneath. Seismic survey crews do the same thing to map oil, gas, and groundwater underground.
Transfers: Collecting and interpreting acoustic and seismic survey data, Operating field sensor equipment, Logging and quality-checking signal data, Working in demanding field conditions.
How to get there: Many roles take an associate degree in geoscience or applied science, though field technician jobs often hire on aptitude and train. Sensor and survey experience transfers directly.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Slower than average (1% to 2%)
Aircrew handle emergencies in a moving aircraft with lives on the line. That composure under pressure, in a cramped and physically punishing space, is exactly what a paramedic crew needs on every call.
Transfers: Calm decision-making during in-flight emergencies, Operating in confined, high-stress environments, Rapid triage and life-support intervention, Working as a crew under physical strain.
How to get there: Earn EMT certification first (a few months), then complete a paramedic program (12 to 18 months). GI Bill covers most accredited programs.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Faster than average (5% to 6%)
You ran sensor and positioning systems to fix targets in space. Survey crews fix points on the ground with the same precision instruments, feeding construction, infrastructure, and GIS projects.
Transfers: Operating precision sensor and positioning equipment, Capturing and verifying spatial data in the field, Translating sensor returns into accurate maps, Methodical accuracy in data collection.
How to get there: Entry is often on the job or with a 1-year certificate. GPS, GIS, and sensor experience accelerate it, and the field is growing fast.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Faster than average (5% to 6%)
The physical hazard tolerance, water-survival training, and recovery skills that made you effective in an aircrew environment carry straight into commercial diving on bridges, platforms, and ports.
Transfers: Operating in hazardous, physically demanding environments, Confined-space and emergency-egress training, Hoist, rescue, and recovery operations, Strict safety discipline under physical stress.
How to get there: Attend an accredited commercial dive school (6 to 9 months) for ADCI certification. Military water-survival and physical screening make this a natural fit.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Much faster than average (7% or higher)
The skills behind the specialty carry further than the specialty. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the paths above without making it sound like you have never done the work.
Free to start. Try as many angles as you want.
If you are applying to operator-side aviation jobs (defense contractors, FRS instructor billets as a civilian, FAA inspector roles, OEM Field Service positions), the people reading your resume already know what an MH-60R AWR does. They have likely deployed alongside one. Skip the over-translation.
This section is for AWs targeting jobs OUTSIDE direct aviation operations. Operations management, program management, intelligence analyst roles outside aviation, federal admin tracks, and corporate logistics. For broader civilian translation help, see the 50 military terms translated to civilian language.
Before (military bullet, P-8A AWO):
"Operated AN/APS-154 ISAR and acoustic processor stations during 12-hour ASW patrols, deploying 200+ sonobuoys to track high-interest contacts across 7th Fleet AOR."
After (operations management resume):
"Operated complex multi-sensor surveillance systems across 12-hour mission cycles. Managed deployment of 200+ specialized assets in coordinated detection operations across a Pacific-theater area of responsibility."
Before (military bullet, MH-60S AWS):
"Served as crew chief and aerial gunner on MH-60S during 8-month CSG deployment; coordinated VERTREP operations moving 1.2M pounds of cargo across surface fleet."
After (operations or logistics resume):
"Coordinated airborne logistics operations during 8-month deployment, managing the movement of 1.2 million pounds of cargo across a distributed maritime force. Operated as on-scene crew lead for time-critical resupply missions."
The BMR resume builder handles this translation automatically with civilian-targeted prompts. Or build your translated resume now.
Before, in service
Maintained NATOPS currency on three platform variants across 600+ flight hours
After, on the resume
Maintained operational qualification under formal safety and procedural standards across three system variants over 600+ operational hours
Before, in service
Served as Mission Commander on 40+ ASW patrols across 7th Fleet AOR
After, on the resume
Led operations team on 40+ multi-system surveillance missions across a Pacific-theater area of responsibility
Before, in service
Coordinated sensor employment as TACCO during multi-aircraft ASW exercises
After, on the resume
Coordinated multi-platform sensor employment and data integration during joint operational exercises
Before, in service
Executed VERTREP operations transferring 1.2M lbs of cargo across CSG units
After, on the resume
Executed time-critical aerial logistics operations transferring 1.2 million pounds of cargo across distributed maritime force
Before, in service
Deployed and processed acoustic signatures from 200+ sonobuoys during ASW operations
After, on the resume
Operated and analyzed data from 200+ specialized detection sensors in coordinated multi-sensor operations
Before, in service
Trained junior aircrew in CRM principles during FRS instructor tour
After, on the resume
Trained team members in cross-functional decision-making and coordination protocols during instructional assignment
Before, in service
Led 12-person aircrew Det during 6-month deployment aboard CSG-11
After, on the resume
Led 12-person operations team during 6-month forward deployment supporting carrier operations
Before, in service
Conducted 8 operational SAR missions coordinating with USCG and host-nation assets
After, on the resume
Conducted 8 emergency response operations coordinating with multiple federal and international agencies
Before, in service
Earned Naval Aircrewman qualification across 14-month training pipeline
After, on the resume
Earned operational aircrew certification through 14-month formal training program
BMR turns your AW duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets aimed at the job you are applying for. No manual translation.
Free to start. Tailored to each posting.
Which ones you need depends on where you are headed.
RecommendedCost $2,000-$15,000Time 18-30 monthsGI Bill eligibleStandard for civilian aircraft mechanic roles. Military maintenance experience may waive school requirement (Form 8610-2).
OptionalCost $350-$500 per examTime 4+ years experience requiredFor AWs pursuing engineering degree and licensure.
RecommendedCost $15,000-$30,000+Time 6-12 monthsGI Bill eligibleRequired for commercial pilot career. Hours requirements may be reduced with military flight time.
RecommendedCost $5,000-$10,000+ (after commercial)Time 12-24 monthsGI Bill eligibleRequired for airline captain seats. 1,500 hours minimum; restricted ATP available with military experience.
OptionalCost $350-$650Time 3-6 monthsUseful for AWs moving into defense contractor program management with financial responsibilities.
RecommendedCost $392Time 2-3 monthsGI Bill eligibleDoD 8570 baseline. Many federal aviation operations roles require it.
OptionalCost Free (federal training)Time VariesRequired for federal contracting officer roles. Available once in federal service.
OptionalCost $300-$500Time 3-6 monthsUseful for AWs targeting GS-0132 Intelligence Specialist positions outside DoD.
OptionalCost $200-$500Time 1-2 monthsFor AWs targeting offshore helicopter operations (Bristow, PHI Aviation).
OptionalCost $300-$2,000Time 2-4 monthsGI Bill eligibleProcess improvement credibility for operations roles outside aviation.
RecommendedCost $405-$555 exam feeTime 3-6 months prepGI Bill eligibleStrong fit for AWs moving into program or project management at defense contractors.
OptionalCost $225-$300Time 2-3 monthsGI Bill eligibleEntry-level alternative to PMP for aircrew without 3 years of project leadership documentation.
RecommendedCost $150-$300Time 1-3 monthsGI Bill eligibleCheap entry into commercial drone work. Useful add-on for any aviation resume.
Placement decides whether a screener ever sees it. BMR knows where each one ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it.
Free to start. Built around your real certs and clearance.
Most people do this backwards: wait for terminal leave, then panic. This is the sequence that works. Already out? Same plan, day one is today.
Days 0 to 30
Days 30 to 60
Days 60 to 90
The job depends on platform and specialty. AWO operates acoustic and electronic surveillance on P-8 Poseidons. AWR/AWS operate sensors, weapons, and SAR systems on MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters. AWF runs C-2 Greyhound and C-130 logistics operations. AWV handles avionics on E-6B Mercury. Across all variants you are operational aircrew responsible for mission systems, weapons, sensors, and crew duties.
It depends entirely on the path. Commercial Pilots earn a BLS median of $113,080. Air Traffic Controllers $137,380. Aviation Inspectors $90K to $135K depending on GS grade. Operations Managers $101,280. Defense contractor FSR roles for former operators typically range $90K to $130K with TS clearance. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Very valuable. Clearances stay active up to 24 months after separation in most cases, and an active TS/SCI is often the difference between a $75K offer and a $115K offer at defense contractors. Federal aviation programs (NGA, ONI, CBP, DoD components) hire cleared aircrew at GS-11 through GS-13 entry. Read the defense contractor clearance advantage guide linked in the Resources section.
Aircrew is not pilot. If you do not have a Navy or civilian pilot certificate, you are not eligible for ATP or commercial captain seats. However, your aircrew experience converts well into Flight Engineer, Loadmaster, and Sensor Operator positions on cargo and contract aviation. If you want to become a pilot, the GI Bill funds Part 141 flight schools, and military flight hours may count toward FAA hour requirements with proper documentation.
Best fits for AWs: GS-1825 Aviation Safety, GS-2150 Transportation Operations (mission planning, dispatch), GS-0132 Intelligence (P-8 AWO and E-6B AWV especially), GS-0301 Miscellaneous Admin (program management), and GS-2152 Air Traffic Control if you held a controller billet. Veterans Preference applies to all of these on USAJOBS.
The Career Change paths section covers this. Common pivots include Operations Manager, Project Manager, Intelligence Analyst (federal or contractor), Program Manager, and Logistics Operations Lead. Your aircrew experience translates as multi-system operations, mission planning, and team leadership. Skills translation matters more here, since hiring managers may not know what NATOPS or FRS means.
If your command approves it, yes. Boeing, Sikorsky, Bell Textron, and L3Harris run SkillBridge cohorts where you spend up to six months working at the company on terminal leave. Most cohorts convert to full offers if you perform. The SkillBridge resume guide linked in the Resources section explains how to position your aircrew background for these openings.
Federal resumes are longer and more detailed. They include hours per week, supervisor name and contact, GS-equivalent grade level, and detailed duty descriptions for each role. The target length is 2 pages, not 4 to 6 like older guides claim. BMR's federal resume builder handles the formatting automatically.
Beyond Lockheed, Boeing, Sikorsky, and Bell, look at AAR Corp (defense aviation logistics), V2X (training and readiness), Amentum (operations and maintenance), L3Harris (sensors and surveillance), and Pratt & Whitney (engines). For federal civilian work consider FAA, NTSB, NGA, ONI, and CBP Air and Marine Operations.
Defense aviation clusters around Jacksonville, Norfolk, San Diego, Pensacola, Patuxent River, Fort Worth, Stratford CT, and the DC corridor. FAA roles concentrate in Oklahoma City and DC. CBP Air operations focus on the southwest border, Florida, and Puerto Rico. NGA and ONI work is mostly DC and Springfield VA.
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Career data from O*NET OnLine.
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