mos.directory

Marine Corps MOS · Aviation

7523 Pilot VMFA F/A-18 Qualified

Current service use not established

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

Browse Marine Corps

Overview

A VMFA F/A-18 pilot operates an electronics-equipped fighter-attack aircraft. The pilot provides air defense and air support in all weather conditions, day and night.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Core Skills

  • All-weather flight operations, day and night
  • Combined air defense and air support

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 an electronics-equipped fighter-attack aircraft in all weather, day and night, provides directly transferable aircraft-handling experience for airline flying.

How to prepare: Have your military flight records reviewed against FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) requirements to identify remaining certification steps. Scheduled airline flight crews must hold ATP certificates, which require a commercial pilot certificate and 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

All-weather military aircraft operation provides a strong flying foundation for unscheduled civilian work such as charter flights and aerial tours.

How to prepare: Review your flight records with a civilian flight school to identify remaining commercial-certificate and rating requirements for charter or aerial-tour work. Some employers require or prefer a degree.

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 flying paths require applicable FAA certificates and ratings and medical qualification. Commercial certification requires specified flight experience, knowledge, and written and practical examinations; continued flying duties require periodic physical and practical flight examinations.
Evidence for this guidance (4 documents)
  1. NAVMC 1200.1L (FY26, in force): MOS 7523

    [1] MOS 7523 section "a. Summary"; cached text line 18402; NAVMC 1200.1L signed 2025-03-07, in force until 2026-10-01

    Supports: All-weather flight operations, day and night, Combined air defense and air support, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*NET 53-2011.00), Commercial Pilots (O*NET 53-2012.00)

    [2]NAVMC 1200.1L MOS 7523: Related SOC titles · MOS 7523 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 7523

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

Report an error on this page