Professional Development Series part II

Leanna Osisek • June 29, 2022

If you are interested in pursuing an aviation career and would like to serve your country, considering an avenue with the United States military could be the ideal espousal of duty and passion, while enjoying a number of benefits. There are currently five branches of today's military including various kinds of airborne crew member positions which are outlined, but not exhaustive, below. While certain careers require an officer status, there are many available to enlisted personnel, be it active-duty or reserve.


Army 

Pilots in the Army operate several types of manned and unmanned aircraft for combat, combat support, and aerial defense, as well as aeromedical evacuation, air traffic control, and more. These careers are best suited for individuals who would like to become specialized in airborne surveillance and analysis. Should you attend a university offering Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps), this will prepare you well for the leadership roles needed by the U.S. Military while earning your degree and open the door to more opportunities.


Navy

The Navy consists of positions for both fixed wing and rotorcraft pilots and utilize aerial photographic equipment in some cases. Becoming a fighter pilot, aircrewman operator, or flight attendant are also possibilities for different Navy ranks. Like many other branches, an array of scholarship opportunities can be explored if you're enrolled at a college with NROTC resources, which are also available to those individuals in the Marine Corps, and are the single largest source of Navy officers.


Air Force

The Air Force is the most extensive branch of military aviation and therefore has the most desirable and lucrative positions, but these applicants must also meet a rigorous physical, rank, and educational set of requirements, pertaining to height/weight, a degree, and other criteria and testing to work on the Air Force's tactical fleet. Safety and performance are optimized throughout each phase from pre to postflight by practicing several maintenance and service inspections. If currently enrolled in college, seeing if your university offers AFROTC can help you get a head start in becoming an officer within the Air Force. Otherwise, to get started you can begin by researching your local Civil Air Patrol squadron - which is an Air Force partner and auxiliary focusing on cadet programs, aerospace education, and emergency services - and applying to become a mission volunteer.


Marine Corps

Aviation roles in the Marine Corps are comprised of fixed wing and helicopter technicians, avionics aircrew, engineers, and other specialists. A wide variety of equipment and technology exists and offers an equally sprawling number of careers to operate and maintain aviary tasks. Marines are trained to support missions on the ground by using airborne strategies including conducting  intelligence, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and transportation tasks, to name a few.


Coast Guard

The Coast Guard offers careers for both active-duty service members and reservists, although aviation-related jobs will require an active-duty, and in most cases, an officer status. Coast Guard roles include aircraft launch and recovery officers, various aircraft mechanics, and aircraft carrier support members. These pilots and technicians are specially trained according to aircraft needs, and can be based anywhere. There are also additional opportunities for helicopter pilots.


For more information to apply to your specific circumstances and goals, reach out to a recruiter today for the most updated details. In the meantime, the next post in our Professional Development Series will compare and contrast the numerous careers in different FAR part operations such as 121, 135, 91, etc.

Newsletter 9/29/23

September 29, 2023
NEW AT NSPIRE

5 Steps to Switching Careers Into Aviation

By Marcus Lansky • September 29, 2023
Maybe you’ve been thinking about making a dramatic career change. If you’ve always dreamed about becoming a pilot, this could be your opportunity to make that dream a reality. By taking a certification course with NSPIRE Aviation , you can kick off a new career as a commercial pilot! Furthermore, these tips will show you how to enhance your resume to secure your first job, and even walk you through some of the requirements for starting your own aviation business. Figure Out if It’s Time for a Change When do you know that it’s time for a career change? Sometimes, looking for a new job in the same field is enough - but sometimes, you need to completely shift directions. Robert Walters Group states that if your skills do not align with your true professional interests, it may be a sign to work on breaking into a new field, where you can pour your talents into a job that you love. Get Certified as a Commercial Pilot You’re committed to making a career change, and you’re ready to take the first big step towards becoming a commercial pilot by earning your pilot’s license. You’ll need to complete a private pilot certification first, earn an instrument rating, get your necessary flight hours under your belt, and then pass a written and practical exam covering everything you’ve learned. Finally, you’ll be ready to get your commercial pilot’s license! Update Your Resume If you’re getting ready to look for your first job as a commercial pilot, you might be wondering how to create a resume . Changing up your resume when switching fields can take time, so start this process early! AVJobs states that you can include your flight times, certifications, and ratings, as well as your previous jobs. Finally, even after you’ve created a strong resume, don’t forget that you can tweak it for each job opening. For example, you might want to add different keywords to the skills section based on the job description. You can also emphasize specific accomplishments in your professional history and academic sections. Navigate the Job Hunt You’ve got your license, your resume is ready, and you’re eager to start working as a pilot. You may need to get a flight instructor certification first, as it’s much easier to find employment as a flight instructor when you have minimal experience. Research different employers in your area, and try to network with people who already work there - they might be able to give you a valuable reference that could land you an interview! Even in the aviation field, networking is often the key to getting the job you want. Consider Starting Your Own Business One day, you might want to start your own business in the commercial aviation sector. For instance, if you live in an area that attracts tourists, you might want to offer private flights to show off the aerial views of your region. If you intend to start a business, you’ll have to obtain a business license first, as well as any appropriate permits. To find out which licenses and permits you’ll need, check out the requirements in your state. By hiring a service to assemble the list of required permits and licenses for your aviation business, you’ll save hours of time! Working in commercial aviation is an exciting career choice. If you’ve been itching for a career change, it might be time to take to the skies. With these tips, you’ll be ready to pursue a certification program, spruce up your resume for job applications, and even launch your very own aviation business in the future. Ready to earn your commercial pilot certification? Turn to NSPIRE Aviation ! Fill out the contact form on their website to learn more about the certification programs. Ready to earn your commercial pilot certification? Photo via Unsplash
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