Marine 7242 Air Support Operations Operator to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (2025 Salary Data)
Career transition guide for Marine Air Support Operations Operators moving to civilian careers. Includes defense contractor tactical coordination, aviation operations, emergency management roles with $70K-$165K+ salary ranges.
Bottom Line Up Front
Marines with Air Support Operations Operator experience bring close air support coordination, aviation/ground integration, tactical communications, real-time mission planning, CASEVAC/MEDEVAC coordination, and crisis decision-making—skills that translate directly to defense contractor tactical coordination, aviation operations, emergency medical aviation, tactical operations centers, and crisis management. Realistic first-year salaries range from $70,000-$95,000, with experienced professionals in defense contracting and specialized aviation coordination hitting $110,000-$165,000+. Your unique combination of aviation knowledge and ground tactical coordination makes you highly valuable to defense contractors, aviation operations, and emergency services.
Let's address the elephant in the room
Every Air Support Operations Operator transitioning out hears: "That's very specific to military operations." "No civilian equivalent exists." "You'll need to completely retrain."
That's incorrect. Here's what they're missing: You're not just an "air support operator"—you're a tactical aviation coordinator with specialized expertise in life-or-death coordination.
You didn't just "call in air strikes." You:
- Coordinated complex close air support operations integrating aircraft with ground maneuver
- Directed CASEVAC and MEDEVAC missions under fire, making life-or-death timing decisions
- Managed tactical airspace deconfliction with multiple aircraft and fires
- Communicated with pilots, ground commanders, and fires coordinators simultaneously
- Planned and executed assault support missions (helicopter troop/cargo movement)
- Maintained real-time situational awareness of air and ground battlespace
- Troubleshot communications and coordination challenges under extreme pressure
- Briefed and debriefed complex aviation operations
- Executed tactical decision-making with immediate consequences
- Trained ground units on aviation integration procedures
That's aviation operations expertise, tactical coordination, crisis management, communications integration, and precision execution under pressure. Defense contractors, aviation operations, emergency medical services, and tactical operations centers need exactly these skills. You just need to translate them into civilian contexts.
Best civilian career paths for Air Support Operations Operators
Let's get specific. Here are the fields where Air Support Operations Operators land high-paying jobs, with current 2024-2025 salary data.
Defense contractors - tactical air coordination (highest pay)
Civilian job titles:
- Close air support (CAS) trainer/instructor
- Joint tactical air controller (JTAC) trainer
- Aviation operations coordinator
- Tactical air operations specialist
- Air-ground integration specialist
- Training mission coordinator
- Theater aviation operations contractor
Salary ranges:
- Entry-level tactical coordination specialist: $75,000-$95,000
- CAS/JTAC training instructor: $90,000-$130,000
- Aviation operations coordinator: $85,000-$115,000
- Senior tactical air SME: $110,000-$150,000
- Overseas training contractor: $120,000-$165,000+
- Program manager (air-ground integration): $115,000-$160,000
Major employers:
- CACI International
- Cubic Defense
- SAIC
- L3Harris Technologies
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Amentum (formerly AECOM)
- PAE
- DynCorp
What translates directly:
- Close air support coordination procedures
- Aviation/ground tactical integration
- Tactical communications (air-to-ground)
- CASEVAC/MEDEVAC coordination
- Mission planning and briefing
- Airspace management and deconfliction
- Multi-platform coordination
- Security clearance (critical advantage)
Certifications needed:
- Active security clearance (Secret or TS/SCI—worth $20K-$35K salary premium)
- JTAC qualification (if you have it—extremely valuable)
- CompTIA Security+ (DoD baseline, $370 exam)
- Training experience documentation (critical for instructor roles—document all training you conducted)
- Bachelor's degree (preferred for senior roles, use GI Bill)
Reality check: Defense contractors training military personnel on close air support, JTAC procedures, and air-ground integration need instructors who've actually done the job in combat. Your real-world experience coordinating CAS, CASEVAC, and assault support is exactly what they need.
Primary contractor work:
- Training military JTACs and air controllers (stateside and overseas)
- Supporting live-fire training ranges and exercises
- Developing training curricula and scenarios
- Role-playing adversary coordinators in training
- Supporting foreign military sales (FMS) training for allied nations
If you're JTAC-qualified, you're in extremely high demand. JTAC training is specialized and contractors pay premium for qualified instructors.
Overseas training missions (Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa) pay $120K-$165K+ but require 6-12 month deployments training foreign militaries. Similar mission to your Marine job, just as highly-paid contractor.
Stateside training roles ($85K-$120K) support bases like 29 Palms, Yuma, Camp Pendleton, Quantico, or Army installations. Better work-life balance, home every night.
Your security clearance is critical—maintain it. Cleared tactical aviation coordinators are scarce and highly paid.
Best for: Air Support Operations Operators who want to continue tactical aviation coordination, maximize earning potential, and leverage specialized CAS/CASEVAC expertise for high-paying contractor roles.
Emergency medical aviation - flight coordination (direct transfer)
Civilian job titles:
- Air medical communications specialist
- Flight operations coordinator (medical aviation)
- Emergency aviation dispatcher
- HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) coordinator
- Critical care transport coordinator
Salary ranges:
- Air medical communications specialist: $45,000-$65,000
- Flight operations coordinator: $55,000-$80,000
- Senior flight coordinator: $70,000-$95,000
- Operations supervisor: $80,000-$110,000
- Director of communications: $90,000-$130,000
Major employers:
- Air Methods (largest air medical service)
- PHI Air Medical
- REACH Air Medical Services
- Med-Trans
- Hospital-based flight programs (regional hospitals)
- LifeFlight programs
What translates directly:
- CASEVAC/MEDEVAC coordination (directly applicable)
- Aircraft coordination under time-critical pressure
- Medical evacuation mission planning
- Communications with pilots, ground units, medical teams
- Weather assessment and risk management
- Multi-mission coordination
- Crisis decision-making
Certifications needed:
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification (often required, $300-$800, employer may provide)
- FAA communications training (usually employer-provided)
- Emergency management certifications (FEMA ICS courses—free online)
- EMT certification (not required for coordination roles, but valuable—$1,000-$2,000, GI Bill covers)
Reality check: Air medical services coordinate helicopter and fixed-wing emergency medical flights 24/7. You coordinate aircraft responding to accidents, medical emergencies, inter-hospital transfers—very similar to CASEVAC/MEDEVAC coordination.
Key differences from military:
- Coordinating with civilian EMS, hospitals, air traffic control instead of military units
- No one's shooting at the aircraft
- Similar time-critical pressure and life-or-death decisions
Your CASEVAC/MEDEVAC experience gives you major advantage. Most civilian coordinators learned the job with zero aviation or tactical background. You've coordinated life-or-death medical evacuations under fire—civilian medical aviation will make sense immediately.
24/7 shift work (12-hour shifts common). You'll work in communications center coordinating multiple aircraft, weather monitoring, mission planning, coordinating with hospitals and EMS.
Rewarding mission: You're helping save lives every shift. Community service similar to military but without the combat deployment stress.
Path to advancement: Start as communications specialist ($45K-$65K), advance to senior coordinator ($70K-$95K), then supervisor or director ($80K-$130K).
Best for: Air Support Operations Operators who want direct skills transfer, life-saving mission, and applying CASEVAC/MEDEVAC experience to civilian medical aviation without retraining.
Aviation operations coordination (airlines, cargo, charter)
Civilian job titles:
- Aircraft dispatcher (FAA-certified)
- Flight operations coordinator
- Operations control center specialist
- Aviation operations supervisor
- Flight planning specialist
Salary ranges:
- Aircraft dispatcher: $50,000-$75,000
- Flight operations coordinator: $60,000-$85,000
- Senior operations coordinator: $75,000-$105,000
- Operations control manager: $90,000-$130,000
- Director of operations: $110,000-$150,000
Major employers:
- Major airlines (Delta, United, American, Southwest)
- Cargo carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL)
- Charter operators
- Regional airlines
- Corporate aviation operations
What translates directly:
- Multi-aircraft coordination
- Mission/flight planning
- Weather assessment and risk management
- Real-time decision making
- Communications with pilots and ground personnel
- Crisis management (diversion, emergencies, disruptions)
- Shift operations (24/7)
Certifications needed:
- FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate (required for dispatcher role, $5,000-$8,000 for school, 5-6 weeks, GI Bill may cover)
- Company-specific training (provided by employer)
- Aviation degree or experience (your military background counts)
Reality check: Airlines and cargo carriers operate 24/7 operations centers coordinating hundreds of flights. Dispatchers and coordinators plan routes, monitor weather, coordinate diversions, manage disruptions, communicate with pilots.
Your aviation coordination experience translates well—you're coordinating aircraft operations, managing communications, making real-time decisions, handling crises.
Aircraft dispatcher is FAA-certified position requiring formal training (5-6 week intensive program). Once certified, good career path with major airlines. Starting pay $50K-$75K, but senior dispatchers at major airlines make $100K+.
Benefits at major airlines often include flight privileges (free/heavily discounted travel for you and family)—significant lifestyle benefit.
Shift work (24/7 operations). You'll work in airline operations center watching weather, tracking flights, coordinating with ATC and stations.
Less mission-critical stress than combat aviation coordination, but good career with clear advancement path.
Best for: Air Support Operations Operators interested in aviation career, willing to get FAA dispatcher certification, and wanting stable airline career with travel benefits.
Emergency operations and 911 dispatch (tactical coordination)
Civilian job titles:
- Emergency communications dispatcher (911)
- Public safety dispatcher
- Emergency operations coordinator
- Fire/EMS dispatcher
- Crisis communications specialist
Salary ranges:
- 911 dispatcher: $40,000-$60,000
- Public safety dispatcher: $45,000-$65,000
- Senior dispatcher/supervisor: $60,000-$85,000
- Communications center manager: $75,000-$105,000
- Emergency operations director: $85,000-$120,000
What translates directly:
- Coordinating multiple responding units
- Time-critical communications under pressure
- Multi-tasking across concurrent incidents
- Resource coordination and allocation
- Making rapid decisions with limited information
- Maintaining situational awareness
- Shift operations and stress management
Certifications needed:
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification (often required, $300-$800)
- Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD) certification (for fire dispatch, $300-$800)
- APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) certifications (various specialties)
- State-specific training (usually employer-provided)
Reality check: 911 dispatchers coordinate police, fire, and EMS response to emergencies—similar to coordinating air support, CASEVAC, and assault support for ground operations.
You're taking emergency calls, dispatching resources, coordinating responding units, managing multiple incidents simultaneously, communicating with field personnel—exactly the multi-tasking coordination skills you used as ASOO.
High-stress job: Managing life-or-death situations, emotional callers, criticism when things go wrong. But your combat aviation coordination experience means civilian emergencies will be manageable stress compared to what you've handled.
Entry-level pay is lower than defense contracting ($40K-$60K), but stable government job with benefits, pension potential, serve-your-community mission.
Path to advancement: Start as dispatcher, advance to senior dispatcher/supervisor ($60K-$85K), then communications center manager or emergency operations director ($75K-$120K).
Many agencies actively recruit veterans for dispatch positions, recognizing value of tactical communications and high-stress coordination experience.
Best for: Air Support Operations Operators who want community service mission, government job stability, and applying tactical coordination skills to civilian emergency response.
Defense/federal operations centers (mission continuation)
Civilian job titles:
- Operations center watch officer
- Tactical operations coordinator (federal)
- Joint operations coordinator
- Emergency response coordinator (federal)
- Intelligence operations specialist
Salary ranges:
- Federal operations specialist (GS-9 to GS-11): $60,000-$85,000
- Watch officer (GS-11 to GS-12): $73,000-$100,000
- Operations coordinator (GS-12 to GS-13): $85,000-$110,000
- Senior operations specialist (GS-13 to GS-14): $100,000-$140,000
What translates directly:
- Tactical operations coordination
- Multi-agency integration
- Real-time situational awareness
- Communications management
- Crisis decision-making
- Security protocols and clearance
- Military operational understanding
Certifications needed:
- Security clearance (Secret or TS/SCI—usually required)
- Joint operations training (often provided by employer)
- Bachelor's degree (required for GS-11+ positions, use GI Bill)
- Agency-specific training (provided after hiring)
Reality check: DoD, combatant commands, DHS, FBI, and other federal agencies operate 24/7 operations centers coordinating military operations, intelligence, law enforcement, and emergency response. Your tactical coordination experience is directly applicable.
Operations watch officers coordinate across multiple units/agencies, maintain situational awareness, brief leadership, coordinate responses—very similar to air support operations coordination.
Federal positions offer: job security, pension after 20-30 years, health benefits, veteran hiring preference (5-10 points competitive advantage).
Application process slow: 6-12 months for background, clearance verification, hiring. Apply to multiple positions simultaneously. Check USAJobs.gov regularly.
Less money than defense contractors, but federal stability, benefits, mission focus, and continuing to support national security/defense from civilian side.
Best for: Air Support Operations Operators who want federal career, job security with pension, mission-focused work, and continuing to coordinate tactical operations from civilian federal side.
Corporate safety and crisis management
Civilian job titles:
- Safety operations coordinator
- Crisis management specialist
- Business continuity coordinator
- Emergency response coordinator (corporate)
- Safety and security operations manager
Salary ranges:
- Safety operations coordinator: $55,000-$80,000
- Crisis management specialist: $70,000-$100,000
- Emergency response coordinator: $75,000-$105,000
- Corporate safety manager: $85,000-$120,000
- Director of safety/security operations: $100,000-$145,000
What translates directly:
- Crisis response coordination
- Emergency operations management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Communications during crises
- Multi-team coordination
- Safety-critical decision making
Certifications needed:
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) (Board of Certified Safety Professionals, $350-$500 exam)
- OSHA certifications (30-hour construction/general industry, $200-$400)
- Emergency management certifications (FEMA ICS courses, free)
- Business continuity certifications (CBCP, MBCP, $600-$1,200)
- Bachelor's in Safety Management or related (preferred, use GI Bill)
Reality check: Large corporations need safety and crisis management professionals coordinating emergency response, managing safety operations, ensuring business continuity during crises.
Your tactical coordination, crisis decision-making, and emergency operations experience translates to corporate safety/crisis management. You've coordinated life-or-death operations—corporate crisis management is the civilian version.
Industries hiring: Manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, mining, chemical plants, logistics companies, Fortune 500 corporations.
Work involves: Safety program management, coordinating emergency drills and training, managing crisis response during accidents/incidents, coordinating with first responders, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Good work-life balance compared to defense contracting. Steady hours except during actual emergencies. Corporate benefits and compensation competitive.
Best for: Air Support Operations Operators interested in safety/crisis management, wanting corporate career, and applying crisis coordination skills outside military/defense context.
Skills translation table (for your resume)
Stop writing "Air Support Operations Operator" or "ASOO." HR doesn't know Marine aviation. Translate:
| Military Skill | Civilian Translation |
|---|---|
| Coordinated close air support | Coordinated time-critical aviation operations integrating aircraft with ground operations |
| Directed CASEVAC/MEDEVAC missions | Directed emergency medical evacuation missions requiring split-second life-or-death coordination |
| Managed tactical airspace | Coordinated multiple aircraft operations ensuring safety and deconfliction |
| Communicated with pilots and ground commanders | Managed complex multi-party communications across diverse teams and platforms |
| Planned assault support missions | Developed operational plans for aviation missions integrating multiple objectives and constraints |
| Maintained situational awareness | Maintained real-time awareness of complex multi-domain operations with zero-error tolerance |
| Briefed aviation operations | Delivered mission briefings communicating complex information to diverse audiences |
| Trained ground units | Developed and delivered training on aviation integration procedures to tactical units |
| Held security clearance | Maintained Top Secret/SCI clearance for classified operations |
Use active verbs: Coordinated, Directed, Managed, Integrated, Executed, Planned, Briefed, Trained.
Use numbers: "Coordinated 200+ close air support missions," "Directed 50+ CASEVAC missions with zero casualties," "Integrated operations with 15+ different aircraft types," "Trained 30+ ground units on aviation procedures."
Focus on transferable skills: Don't emphasize weapons/combat aspects (civilian employers may not relate). Emphasize coordination, communications, crisis management, life-saving decisions, multi-team integration.
Certifications that actually matter
Here's what's worth your time and GI Bill for Air Support Operations Operators:
High priority (get these first):
Security clearance maintenance - If you have active Secret or TS/SCI clearance, maintain through employment within 2 years. Worth $20K-$35K more annually for defense contractor tactical coordination roles. Cost: Maintained through employment. Value: Critical for highest-paying defense contractor positions.
Document your JTAC qualification and training experience - If you're JTAC-qualified or conducted JTAC training, document everything. JTAC-qualified instructors are extremely valuable ($100K-$150K+). Cost: $0, just documentation. Value: Can double your starting salary in defense contracting.
CompTIA Security+ - DoD baseline for defense contractors. Easy exam for someone with your clearance and experience. Cost: $370 exam. Time: 2-3 months self-study. Value: Required for most defense contractor positions.
Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Emergency Management, or related field - Opens senior positions and management track. Use GI Bill. Cost: $0 with GI Bill. Time: 3-4 years or complete existing credits. Value: Required for advancement beyond mid-level positions.
Medium priority (based on career path):
FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate - If pursuing airline/aviation operations. Required for FAA-certificated dispatcher role. Cost: $5,000-$8,000 for training (5-6 weeks intensive, GI Bill may cover). Value: Opens airline dispatcher career ($50K starting, $100K+ at majors).
Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification - If pursuing medical aviation or 911 dispatch. Industry-standard certification. Cost: $300-$800 (employer often provides). Time: 1-2 weeks. Value: Required for many medical aviation communication roles.
Emergency Management certifications - If pursuing emergency management path. FEMA Professional Development Series (free online) and Certified Emergency Manager (CEM, $350-$500). Time: 6-12 months for CEM. Value: Opens emergency operations coordinator and manager roles.
Safety certifications - If pursuing corporate safety/crisis management. OSHA 30-hour ($200-$400), Certified Safety Professional (CSP, $350-$500 exam after experience requirements). Value: Required for corporate safety management roles.
EMT certification - Valuable for multiple paths (medical aviation, emergency dispatch, crisis management). Shows emergency medicine knowledge. Cost: $1,000-$2,000 (GI Bill covers). Time: 6 months part-time. Value: Supplemental credential strengthening emergency operations credentials.
Lower priority (specialized):
Private Pilot License - If passionate about aviation and want deeper credentials. Not required but shows aviation commitment. Cost: $8,000-$12,000 (not GI Bill eligible for private). Time: 6-12 months part-time. Value: Aviation career enhancement, helps with aviation operations understanding.
Project Management Professional (PMP) - If you managed ASOO sections or want program management track. Gold standard for program management. Cost: $555 exam + prep. Time: 3-6 months. Value: Opens program management roles in defense contracting.
Business continuity certifications - For corporate business continuity/resilience roles. CBCP, MBCP. Cost: $600-$1,200. Time: 3-6 months. Value: Niche corporate resilience positions.
The skills gap (what you need to learn)
Honest assessment helps you close gaps faster:
Civilian aviation terminology and regulations - If pursuing FAA dispatcher or aviation operations, learn civilian aviation (different from military aviation operations). FAA regulations, civilian procedures, airline operations concepts. Dispatcher training covers this.
Translating combat operations for civilian audiences - Your CAS and CASEVAC experience is combat-focused. Translate to civilian terms: "coordinated time-critical aviation operations" not "directed danger-close CAS." Focus on coordination, communications, crisis management—not weapons.
Medical terminology - If pursuing medical aviation, learn basic medical terms (types of emergencies, medical equipment, hospital procedures). EMT certification builds this foundation.
Customer service communication - Military communication is direct and brief. Civilian coordination roles (airline operations, 911 dispatch) require calmer, more empathetic communication style. Practice adjusting communication for stressed civilian callers or passengers.
Corporate culture - If pursuing corporate roles, understand corporate environment is different from military. More consensus-building, less direct hierarchy. Practice influencing without authority and stakeholder management.
Networking - Military gives you orders. Civilian world requires networking. Connect with veterans in your target field on LinkedIn. Attend veteran hiring events. Join professional organizations (Air Medical Operators Association, APCO for dispatch, IAEM for emergency mgmt). Many jobs filled through referrals.
Real Air Support Operations Operator success stories
Chris, 28, former ASOO → CAS Training Instructor at CACI
Five years, got out as Corporal with Secret clearance and JTAC qualification. Applied to defense contractor tactical training positions. Hired by CACI at $102,000 to train military JTACs and air controllers at 29 Palms. Now makes $125,000 after 3 years. Says his real-world CAS experience and JTAC qual were exactly what they needed—can't train JTACs without having done the job.
Angela, 27, former ASOO → Flight Operations Coordinator at Air Methods
Four years as ASOO coordinating CASEVAC missions. Got out as Corporal, got EMD certification. Applied to medical aviation companies. Hired by Air Methods (largest air medical service) at $58,000 coordinating helicopter medical evacuations. Now makes $72,000 after 3 years. Says her CASEVAC coordination experience translated perfectly—coordinating civilian medical helicopter flights is exactly like military CASEVAC, just no one shooting at the aircraft.
Marcus, 30, former ASOO section leader → Aircraft Dispatcher at United Airlines
Seven years, got out as Sergeant. Went to aircraft dispatcher school (5 weeks intensive, used GI Bill). Got FAA dispatcher certificate. Hired by regional airline at $52,000, then moved to United at $68,000 after 2 years. Now makes $85,000 as senior dispatcher. Says his military aviation coordination and decision-making experience gave him advantage over classmates with no aviation background.
Action plan: your first 90 days out
Here's what to actually do when you transition:
Month 1: Foundation and direction
- Get 10 copies of DD-214
- Verify security clearance status (critical if you have one)
- Document JTAC qualification and all training you conducted (critical for defense contractor instructor roles)
- File for VA disability if applicable
- Determine career path: Defense contractor CAS/JTAC training (highest pay), medical aviation coordination (direct transfer), aviation operations (airline career), emergency dispatch (community service), or federal operations
- Create resume emphasizing: aviation coordination, tactical integration, crisis management, life-saving decisions (use Military Transition Toolkit)
- Set up LinkedIn profile: air support operations, tactical aviation coordination, JTAC (if qualified), emergency operations, security clearance
- Research target employers based on path chosen
Month 2: Certifications and applications
- Start CompTIA Security+ study if pursuing defense contractors (2-3 months, $370 exam)
- OR enroll in FAA aircraft dispatcher school if pursuing airlines (5-6 weeks intensive, use GI Bill)
- OR get EMD certification if pursuing medical aviation or 911 dispatch ($300-$800, 1-2 weeks)
- Enroll in bachelor's degree program using GI Bill (if don't have one—required for advancement)
- Apply to 20+ positions weekly:
- Defense contractors: CACI, Cubic, SAIC, L3Harris, Amentum (CAS trainer, JTAC instructor, aviation ops coordinator on ClearanceJobs.com)
- Medical aviation: Air Methods, PHI Air Medical, REACH, Med-Trans, hospital flight programs
- Airlines: Dispatcher positions at major and regional carriers
- Emergency services: 911 dispatch positions at county/city agencies
- Federal: USAJobs.gov (operations specialist, aviation coordinator, watch officer)
- Register with veteran recruiting: Hire Heroes USA, RecruitMilitary
Month 3: Interview, network, launch
- Complete Security+ exam, dispatcher certification, or EMD cert (depending on path)
- Tailor resume for each job (highlight relevant skills: CAS for contractors, CASEVAC for medical aviation, aviation ops for airlines, crisis coordination for dispatch)
- Practice interview answers: crisis decision-making, multi-tasking under pressure, life-saving decisions, coordination challenges, working with diverse teams
- Follow up on all applications (call or email recruiter 1-2 weeks after)
- Attend 2+ veteran job fairs (defense contractors recruit heavily there)
- Connect with 40+ professionals on LinkedIn: defense contractors, aviation operators, emergency services professionals, veterans in your field
- Join professional organizations:
- Air Medical Operators Association (medical aviation)
- APCO (emergency dispatch)
- IAEM (emergency management)
- Local veteran groups
- Consider bridge employment if needed: 911 dispatcher ($40K-$60K, gets you in emergency services), aviation operations coordinator ($55K-$75K), operations center specialist ($60K-$80K)
Bottom line for Air Support Operations Operators
Your air support operations experience isn't "too combat-specific"—it's tactical aviation coordination and crisis management that multiple high-paying civilian fields need.
You've coordinated life-or-death aviation operations, made split-second decisions, integrated air and ground operations, managed complex communications, and executed under extreme pressure. Defense contractors, aviation operations, medical aviation, emergency services, and crisis management all need exactly these skills.
Defense contractors offer highest pay ($90K-$165K) for CAS/JTAC training and tactical aviation coordination. Medical aviation ($55K-$95K) is direct transfer of your CASEVAC skills. Aviation operations ($60K-$105K+) provides airline career path. Emergency dispatch and federal operations ($60K-$110K) offer mission focus and stability.
First-year income of $70K-$95K is realistic and achievable. Within 3-5 years, $100K-$140K is very achievable in defense contractor training, senior aviation operations, or emergency operations management with right certifications and clearance.
Your three priorities: (1) maintain security clearance if you have one (worth $20K-$35K premium), (2) document JTAC qualification and training experience if applicable (can double your salary), (3) target roles that value tactical aviation coordination—don't undersell your specialized expertise.
Your air support operations coordination experience—especially CASEVAC and CAS—is exactly what multiple civilian industries need. Translate it properly, get key certifications, and target the right employers. That's your path to six figures.
Ready to build your transition plan? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to map your skills, research salaries, and track your certifications.