Are you in aviation maintenance and plan to continue that career as a civilian when you ETS or retire?

1LT Larry Bass — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:58:20 -0400

If you want to continue in aviation maintenance as a civilian, then you need to visit your local FAA FSDO and inquire about testing for your Aviation Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certifications. If your current AFSC/MOS is not compatible with both the A & the P, then I recommend cross training into another specialty that will provide you with the necessary 18 months of experience required for the additional certification. To test for Airframe, you need 18 months of hands-on experience. For Powerplant - same amount of experience. If your AFSC/MOS qualifies you (recognized by the FAA) for both, then you only need 30 months of experience in that position. Talk with the FAA well BEFORE your intended military exit date. You will want to get as much OJT from the military while you're in and they're paying you while you train & gain the needed experience for civilian certification. There is a shortage of civilian aviation mechanics, so prepare yourself ahead of time.

Response by PO2 Marco Monsalve made Mar 16 at 2023 4:04 PM

PO2 Marco Monsalve — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:04:35 -0400

Great advice, have relatives in the civ aviation mechanic area who do quite well.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2023 4:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:09:27 -0400

Good information for the younger generation of active duty or new Veterans...