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Navy Rating · Aviation

AM Aviation Structural Mechanic

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

Aviation Structural Mechanics maintain aircraft structures, flight surfaces and controls, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, landing gear, and air conditioning and pressurization systems. They fabricate and repair metallic and nonmetallic materials, service related aircraft mechanisms, supervise airframe work centers, and perform required inspections.

Minimum ASVAB: VE+AR+MK+AS 210 or VE+AR+MK+MC 210

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: milpersman-1306-618-rating-list-2026-04 (source date 2026-04). Policy applicability has not been established.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Core Skills

  • Hydraulic component repair and testing
  • Launch and arresting gear maintenance
  • Aircraft corrosion identification, treatment and prevention
  • Aircraft nondestructive and conditional inspections

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.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

AM experience maintaining airframes, flight controls, landing gear and hydraulic systems directly supports aircraft mechanical maintenance.

How to prepare: Gather existing credentials and military maintenance records for an FAA assessment of Airframe experience and any separately documented Powerplant experience. FAA certification is not required for every airline mechanic job, although air carriers often require it for hiring.

What the civilian work involves
  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
  • Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

AM fabrication and repair of metallic and nonmetallic aircraft structures, flight surfaces and control mechanisms transfer directly to aircraft assembly and rework.

How to prepare: Ask an aircraft manufacturer to assess your documented fabrication and structural-repair experience against its assembly and rework positions, then target any identified production-process gaps.

What the civilian work involves
  • Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
  • Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
  • Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

AM duties include nondestructive inspections of aircraft, providing directly relevant inspection experience for civilian NDT work.

How to prepare: Have a prospective employer assess your existing method-specific training, experience and certifications against its written practice and applicable industry or customer standards. Where SNT-TC-1A applies, certification is through the employer; ASNT 9712 is a separate third-party program requiring method-specific training, experience, examinations and visual-acuity documentation.

What the civilian work involves
  • Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.
  • Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Microsoft Excel

Training & Development

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

Getting Started

  • Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

    Pursue the FAA rating or ratings supported by assessed experience; the documented AM duties align with Airframe work but do not establish Powerplant experience.

    Eligibility and preparation: Applicants must be at least 18 and able to read, write, speak and understand English. Eligibility requires 18 months of appropriate practical experience for one rating or 30 months concurrently performing duties appropriate to both ratings, or graduation from an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School or completion of the JSAMTCC military course. The FAA evaluates documentary evidence of military experience; knowledge, oral and practical tests are required.

    For: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

  • Certified Aerospace Technician Core

    Provide optional written, oral and practical validation of aerospace technical knowledge for aircraft assembly work.

    Eligibility and preparation: Any one qualifying route suffices: active-duty or veteran military service with a rating, MOS or assignment in aeronautical, aviation, aerospace or engineering work; at least two years of work experience in one of those fields; a qualifying college or technical-school degree of at least two years; or an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate. The Core assessment includes written, oral and practical examinations.

    For: Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (10 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol I (NEOCS, Jan 2026 edition): AVIATION STRUCTURAL MECHANIC (AM)

    [1] Rating chapter "SCOPE OF RATING"; cached text line 8055; NAVPERS 18068F Vol I, 2026-01 edition

    Supports: Hydraulic component repair and testing, Launch and arresting gear maintenance, Aircraft corrosion identification, treatment and prevention, Aircraft nondestructive and conditional inspections, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00), Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (O*NET 51-2011.00), Non-Destructive Testing Specialists (O*NET 17-3029.01), Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

  2. O*NET: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  3. FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic

    [3] Requirements and mechanic experience requirements

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00), Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

    [9]COOL credential mapping: Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant) · AM cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

  4. O*NET: Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

    [4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (O*NET 51-2011.00)

  5. O*NET: Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

    [5] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Non-Destructive Testing Specialists (O*NET 17-3029.01)

  6. American Society for Nondestructive Testing: Compare ASNT Certifications

    [6] Preparation, Level II and ASNT NDT versus ASNT 9712 sections; retrieved 23 September 2026

    Supports: Non-Destructive Testing Specialists (O*NET 17-3029.01)

  7. ASNT: Explaining Employer-Based Certification Programs (SNT-TC-1A)

    [7] ASNT Certificate Compared to SNT-TC-1A-Based Certificate and The Written Practice sections; ASNT Pulse article dated 2020-10-29, retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Non-Destructive Testing Specialists (O*NET 17-3029.01)

  8. ASNT Certification Services: ASNT 9712 Level II Certification

    [8] Experience, training, documentation and FAQ sections; retrieved 23 September 2026

    Supports: Non-Destructive Testing Specialists (O*NET 17-3029.01)

  9. COOL credential mapping: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

    [10] AM cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

    [12]SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: Certified Aerospace Technician - Core Certification · Core Certification section; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

  10. SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: Qualifications for SpaceTEC Certifications

    [11] Qualifications for SpaceTEC Certified Aerospace Technician Core; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

Defense contractor jobs for AM

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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