Posted on Oct 29, 2023
Which Avionics MOS would be best for someone considering a civilian career after serving?
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Hi everyone, I am 25 and looking to join the army national guard but trying to choose an MOS. I’ve narrowed it down to the 15 series (Avionics) which interests me but not sure which one would be best for when I come back to civilian life. I plan after AIT to start getting my foot into aerospace and avionics asap. I’m debating between 15 T, U, G, E, and H. What is the difference between them? The army description feels kind of the same. And can I get certifications when in like the A&P and others to get an advantage in the civilian world? Thanks.
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 6
This is a difficult question because you are basically asking a group of strangers "Hey, what job do you think I will enjoy for the next 10-20 years that I could make a career out of while in/out of Uniform?"
The only person who knows what you like, dislike and want to do for a career is you. You can't expect somebody who doesn't know you to decipher that you would prefer airframes, avionic tech, engine or a crew chief position when compared to each other. As anything in aviation it depends on the respective airframe. There are certain things that overlap but if you have aviation experience combined with a bachleors degree there are alot of companies that would snatch you up. But at the end of the day its what you like to do.
The only person who knows what you like, dislike and want to do for a career is you. You can't expect somebody who doesn't know you to decipher that you would prefer airframes, avionic tech, engine or a crew chief position when compared to each other. As anything in aviation it depends on the respective airframe. There are certain things that overlap but if you have aviation experience combined with a bachleors degree there are alot of companies that would snatch you up. But at the end of the day its what you like to do.
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John Cirillo
Thanks for the comment. I am interested in aviation, but of the aforementioned Mos’ what is their primary differences? Reading their descriptions was pretty basic and similar. Are some of them engines technicals and others just the body of the aircraft?
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
John Cirillo - Yes, there are different mos's that do different things that work on different platforms. I would check your sources because a quick glance at goarmy under aviation lists a ton of jobs with their job titles/descriptions. For instance a AH-64 repairer works on AH-64's. Then there is a electric/avionics repairer for AH-64 so thats what they do. Aircraft powerplant guys work on power plants and powertrain guys work on power trains. Keep doing your research
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Avionics can be tricky in the civilian world; a lot of places still want an electronics engineering degree with experience in specific areas that they are working with. some jobs in Aviation are less desirable while in but offer more post service such as Maintenance administration. Then there are jobs that cross multiple industries when you get out such as Machinists and the always desired Non-Destructive Inspection,
I don't know if you are dead set on Army Reserve, but Airforce Reserve technicians usually have aviation positions where you are a reservist but also have a full-time position doing the same job.
I don't know if you are dead set on Army Reserve, but Airforce Reserve technicians usually have aviation positions where you are a reservist but also have a full-time position doing the same job.
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SSgt (Join to see)
John Cirillo air force technicians spots are civilian jobs that come with a requirement to join the reserves.
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John Cirillo
SSgt (Join to see)
So the civilian Air Force jobs, do they require relevant education in the field prior or do they teach you and you do bmt and ait?
So the civilian Air Force jobs, do they require relevant education in the field prior or do they teach you and you do bmt and ait?
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SSgt (Join to see)
John Cirillo - for the most accurate details I'd recommend speaking with an air force recruiter.
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Go for 15T (UH-60 Helicopter Repairer). It's a good choice for a civilian avionics career, and you can get certifications like A&P in the military.
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John Cirillo
Thank you for the info. Can I get the certification while in national guard? How would that go about? They cover your schooling?
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I worked for a gentleman that was netting $2,000,000 a year after taxes.
He retired as an E7, and left the military at that time as the guy who was running of training soldiers on new equipment.
He ended up figuring out how the bidding process works for contracts, and then be basically founded a company that was a subcontractor to Prime contractors that needed professionals for the Prime contractors' personnel needs.
So all his company did was vet those professionals that government contractors needed.
I guess it's a complex and legal version of Pimping people out.
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So what I'm saying is, there is a world out there in government contracting services were the world is their oyster as the majority of the civilian sector just doesn't want to deal. So companies with less than top tier products can survive off the government teet if they are willing to jump through the government hoops of the contract bidding process.
He retired as an E7, and left the military at that time as the guy who was running of training soldiers on new equipment.
He ended up figuring out how the bidding process works for contracts, and then be basically founded a company that was a subcontractor to Prime contractors that needed professionals for the Prime contractors' personnel needs.
So all his company did was vet those professionals that government contractors needed.
I guess it's a complex and legal version of Pimping people out.
******************
So what I'm saying is, there is a world out there in government contracting services were the world is their oyster as the majority of the civilian sector just doesn't want to deal. So companies with less than top tier products can survive off the government teet if they are willing to jump through the government hoops of the contract bidding process.
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A&P requires 18 months experience. You will not be authorized to test just because you served in the military. Also, you cannot count time you spent training for the specialty, only the time you spent working in the specialty.
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John Cirillo
So that would mean like deployments? And are there any army programs which can assist in getting those hours in?
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I hate this kind of what will make me $$ after my hitch, but that's just me being a lifer. What is the problem, don't every aircraft/copter in the world have and use Avionics'? Check your local airport, and see what companies are doing tech support for the aircraft- what would they suggest?
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John Cirillo
Thanks for the suggestion. My main question I guess is what is the difference between the aforementioned mos’ in terms of what you’ll learn, and if I can get certifications within my time in the army?
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CPT (Join to see)
The heart and soul of national defense depends on one and done enlistments and officers getting out before CPT.
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