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Army MOS · Aviation

153A Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

Rotary Wing Aviators command and fly utility and observation helicopters in tactical and nontactical conditions while transporting passengers, mail, or cargo for military purposes. They supervise aircraft maintenance and loading operations, ensure load balance and compliance with aircraft limitations, and may instruct aviators or support aircraft procurement activities.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Core Skills

  • Aircraft load balance and limit oversight
  • Aircraft maintenance supervision

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Commercial Helicopter Pilot

Commanding utility and observation helicopters while transporting passengers and cargo directly overlaps with commercial helicopter flight operations.

How to prepare: Have a civilian flight school review your flight records to identify the remaining steps toward the FAA certificates and ratings needed for commercial helicopter work. Civilian pilot certification requires applicable flight experience, knowledge and practical examinations, and medical qualification, with periodic examinations to maintain flight privileges.

What the civilian work involves
  • Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
  • Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Aeronautical charts
  • AeroPlanner

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Supervising helicopter loading and unloading for stability, balance, and aircraft load limits transfers directly to aircraft cargo supervision.

How to prepare: Practice preparing a civilian aircraft load plan that documents cargo placement, center of gravity, and loading limits.

What the civilian work involves
  • Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
  • Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
  • Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Cargo tracking system software

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    Build foreign object prevention knowledge in housekeeping, tool accountability, and material handling for aircraft cargo operations.

    Eligibility and preparation: No prerequisite credential, education, or experience is required; certification requires passing the FOE examination.

    For: Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (6 documents)
  1. Army COOL MOC feed: 153A Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)

    [1] data/authority/army-codes.json entry 153A (OSD COOL feed, fetched 2026-07-25); DB rank warrant_officer, authority codeType warrant_officer

    Supports: Aircraft load balance and limit oversight, Aircraft maintenance supervision, Commercial Helicopter Pilot (O*NET 53-2012.00), Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (O*NET 53-1041.00)

  2. O*NET: Commercial Pilots

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Commercial Helicopter Pilot (O*NET 53-2012.00)

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: airline and commercial pilot duties and entry requirements

    [3] What They Do; How to Become One; Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations; updated 2026-08-27, retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Commercial Helicopter Pilot (O*NET 53-2012.00)

  4. O*NET: Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

    [4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (O*NET 53-1041.00)

  5. COOL credential mapping: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [5] 153A cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [6]SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: ASTM NCATT certification information, exam list, and FAQ · Background; Exams Offered (Aircraft Electronics Technician, AET Endorsements, Other ASTM NCATT exams); Frequently Asked Questions; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

  6. ASTM NCATT FOE Elements of Basic Awareness Study Guide (PDF, copyright 2022 ASTM International NCATT)

    [7] Scope (sec. 1) and Significance and Use (sec. 3); retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

Defense contractor jobs for 153A

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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