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Marine Corps MOS · Aviation

7557 Pilot VMGR, KC-130 Aircraft Commander

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 KC-130 aircraft commander operates transport aircraft or turboprop jet-powered aerial refueler and transport aircraft. The pilot conducts air supply and aerial refueling operations as appropriate.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Core Skills

  • Air supply flight operations
  • Turboprop aerial refueling operations

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 transport aircraft on air supply missions transfers directly to flying aircraft that transport freight or passengers.

How to prepare: Have a civilian flight-training provider review your military flight records against ATP certification requirements. Scheduled airline crews must hold ATP certificates, requiring a commercial pilot certificate and federal age, flight-hour and examination requirements; airline pilots typically need a bachelor's degree.

What the civilian work involves
  • 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.
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • AeroPlanner

Commercial Pilots

Military transport and aerial refueling flight experience provides a direct flying foundation for unscheduled commercial operations such as charter flights.

How to prepare: Have a civilian flight-training provider assess your flight records and current certificates to identify the training and testing needed for a commercial pilot certificate and relevant ratings.

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

Notes & Sources

  • Both pilot paths require applicable FAA certificates and ratings, medical qualification, and periodic physical and practical flight examinations. Commercial pilot certification requires documented flight experience and passing knowledge and practical flight exams.
Evidence for this guidance (4 documents)
  1. NAVMC 1200.1L (FY26, in force): MOS 7557

    [1] MOS 7557 section "a. Summary"; cached text line 19217; NAVMC 1200.1L signed 2025-03-07, in force until 2026-10-01

    Supports: Air supply flight operations, Turboprop aerial refueling operations, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*NET 53-2011.00), Commercial Pilots (O*NET 53-2012.00)

    [2]NAVMC 1200.1L MOS 7557: Related SOC titles · MOS 7557 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 7557

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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