Also called: Air Force 2A5/2A6, Army 15T (UH-60), Navy AD / AM rating
Inspects, services, and repairs a specific military aircraft and certifies it ready to fly.
Crew chiefs do preflight walk-arounds, refuel jets, change tires, chase down leaks, and wave their aircraft out to the runway. Their name is often painted on the plane. The skills lead directly to FAA Airframe & Powerplant licensed mechanic jobs at airlines.
Regular military compensation (RMC = base pay + housing and food allowances + their tax advantage) for typical E-1 to E-6 ranks, 2026 estimate. Cash in hand is lower early on because junior troops often live in free barracks and eat in dining halls. Enlistment bonuses can add thousands.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0.5 years after high school. High school diploma, then ~3-6 months of technical school; many earn an FAA A&P license through the military's COOL programs. Free-college benefits: Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/yr) while serving, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months of tuition + housing stipend) afterward, and SkillBridge internships before separating.
Ways in: Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Aviation Maintenance Technology (trade school), Aeronautics.
Growing about average. Military specialties are not in BLS projections. The services recruit for this job every year and openings track force size and retention rather than market growth.
Low risk for 10 years. Predictive-maintenance data flags parts; walk-arounds, fixes and launching jets stay hands-on.
Classes: Auto / diesel tech CTE, Physics, Algebra.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.