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Marine Corps MOS · Aviation

7516 Pilot VMFA FRS Basic F-35B Pilot

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

A VMFA FRS basic F-35B pilot operates a network enabled and digitally interoperable fighter attack aircraft. The pilot provides aviation support across the full spectrum of combat operations.

Minimum clearance: Top Secret

Core Skills

  • Network-enabled, digitally interoperable aircraft operation

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.

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Operating military fighter aircraft provides directly transferable piloting experience, and the Marine Corps explicitly links this specialty to airline pilot occupations.

How to prepare: Have a flight training provider review your flight records against ATP requirements and identify remaining training or testing. Scheduled airline flight crews must hold ATP certificates, which require a commercial pilot certificate plus federal age, flight-hour, and examination requirements; airline pilots typically also need a bachelor's degree.

What the civilian work involves
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • AeroPlanner

Commercial Pilots

Military fighter aircraft operation provides a direct piloting foundation for civilian charter and other unscheduled flying.

How to prepare: Arrange a flight-school review of your military flight records to identify gaps against commercial pilot certificate flight-experience, knowledge, written-exam, and practical-exam requirements.

What the civilian work involves
  • Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
  • Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Aeronautical charts
  • AeroPlanner

Notes & Sources

  • Both pilot paths require appropriate FAA certificates and ratings, medical qualification, and periodic physical and practical flight examinations.
Evidence for this guidance (4 documents)
  1. NAVMC 1200.1L (FY26, in force): MOS 7516

    [1] MOS 7516 section "a. Summary"; cached text line 18204; NAVMC 1200.1L signed 2025-03-07, in force until 2026-10-01

    Supports: Network-enabled, digitally interoperable aircraft operation, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*NET 53-2011.00), Commercial Pilots (O*NET 53-2012.00)

    [2]NAVMC 1200.1L MOS 7516: Related SOC titles · MOS 7516 section "e. Related Standard Occupational Classification"

    Supports: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*NET 53-2011.00)

  2. O*NET: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

    [3] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*NET 53-2011.00)

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

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

    Supports: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*NET 53-2011.00), Commercial Pilots (O*NET 53-2012.00)

  4. O*NET: Commercial Pilots

    [5] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Commercial Pilots (O*NET 53-2012.00)

Defense contractor jobs for 7516

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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