If you worked on aircraft in the military, you may already qualify for FAA certification credit that cuts months off your path to an A&P certificate. Here is exactly how the process works, which MOS codes qualify, and what civilian employers are actively paying to recruit veterans.
Under 14 CFR Part 65.77, the FAA allows applicants to substitute documented military aviation maintenance experience for the civilian training school requirement. This means if you spent 4 years as an Army 15T (Black Hawk mechanic) or a Navy AME (Aviation Structural Mechanic), that experience counts directly toward your A&P certification — you do not need to sit through an 18-month FAA-approved school program.
The FAA requires a minimum of 18 months of practical experience on powerplant OR airframe systems, or 30 months for both ratings combined. Most military aviation MOS positions exceed this threshold within a single enlistment.
The following military occupational specialties have well-established pathways to FAA A&P certification. This is not an exhaustive list — any aviation maintenance MOS may qualify; these are the most common:
| Branch | MOS / Rate / AFSC | Title | Typical Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 15T | UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Repairer | A&P Both |
| Army | 15U | CH-47 Chinook Helicopter Repairer | A&P Both |
| Army | 15B | Aircraft Powerplant Repairer | Powerplant |
| Army | 15G | Aircraft Structural Repairer | Airframe |
| Navy | AME | Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) | Airframe |
| Navy | AD | Aviation Machinist Mate | Powerplant |
| Navy | AE | Aviation Electrician Mate | A&P Both |
| Marines | 6046 | Aircraft Maintenance Chief | A&P Both |
| Air Force | 2A3X3 | Tactical Aircraft Maintenance | A&P Both |
| Air Force | 2A5X1 | Aerospace Maintenance | A&P Both |
| Coast Guard | AMT | Aviation Maintenance Technician | A&P Both |
Contact the National Personnel Records Center at archives.gov to request your complete training records. You need documentation of specific aircraft systems maintained, not just your MOS. Allow 60–90 days for processing.
Your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) evaluates military experience for equivalency credit. Use the FAA FSDO locator at faa.gov to find your nearest office. Bring your DD-214 and training records to an initial consultation — this meeting is free.
Even with military experience credit, you must pass the FAA written knowledge tests: General (65 questions), Airframe (100 questions), and Powerplant (100 questions). Study materials are available from ASA and Gleim. Tests are administered at authorized testing centers nationwide at approximately $165 per exam.
An FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) conducts the oral and practical portions. These evaluate your ability to perform maintenance tasks hands-on. The practical exam typically takes a full day and costs $400–$600 in examiner fees.
Once you pass all exams, the FAA issues your Airframe and/or Powerplant certificate. Your certificate is permanent — it does not expire, though you must maintain currency to exercise the privileges.
If your military experience does not fully qualify for equivalency credit — or if you want the structured training of an FAA Part 147 school — the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) covers tuition and fees at approved aviation maintenance schools, plus a monthly housing allowance while you attend.
According to the VA, eligible veterans with 36+ months of active service receive 100% of tuition at public schools, up to $27,120.05/year at private schools (2024-2025 academic year), plus a housing allowance based on the school's zip code. A&P programs at community colleges typically run $8,000–$15,000 total — well within the VA's coverage limits.
Employers who specifically recruit veteran mechanics — and many MROs do, particularly those with defense contracts — consistently pay above market rates. Veterans report a median pay premium of approximately $4–$8/hr over non-veteran peers at comparable experience levels, based on industry survey data from Aviation Maintenance Technology.
Beyond base pay, several major MROs have formal veteran hiring initiatives with additional benefits:
When contractors search our platform, they can filter specifically for veteran mechanics. Your military background is an asset — make sure it is visible to employers actively looking for it.
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