AWF Rating Naval Aircrewman Helicopter — Civilian Career Guide
Operates sensor systems and performs rescue swimmer duties from Navy helicopters. Conducts search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and cargo operations.
CAREER PATHS
3
TOP SALARY
$134,630.00
AVG SALARY
$81,777.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Emergency Medical Technician
SOC 29-2043
$58,410.00
median/yr
Helicopter Pilot (with training)
SOC 53-2012
$134,630.00
median/yr
Search and Rescue Coordinator
SOC 33-2011
$52,290.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Navy COOL ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with AWF service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Naval Aircrewman Helicopter role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Helmets, NODs, and overhead work load the neck.
See how it is rated →Shift work, deployments, and weight changes are linked to it.
See how it is rated →Often secondary to neck strain, TBI, or stress.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your AWF Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Naval Aircrewman Helicopter skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Navy veterans.
AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter do?
Operates sensor systems and performs rescue swimmer duties from Navy helicopters. Conducts search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and cargo operations.
What civilian jobs can a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter transition into?
Common civilian careers for a AWF (Navy Rating) Naval Aircrewman Helicopter include Emergency Medical Technician, Helicopter Pilot (with training), and Search and Rescue Coordinator. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter have median salaries ranging from about $52,290 to $134,630 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter resume include EMT-Paramedic, Rescue Swimmer Qualification, FAA Private Pilot, and NASAR SAR Tech. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a AWF Naval Aircrewman Helicopter develops, including Search and rescue, Helicopter operations, Emergency medicine, Underwater rescue, and Sensor systems. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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