Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator

Collateral Duty/Out of Rate Assignment Description

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator (UAV-O) serve as external pilots and directly control the flight of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) during launch and recovery operations by visual reference to the UAV’s. External pilots operate and navigate UAVs during the route, mission, and return phases of flight.

National Certifications and Federal Licenses

You selected Early Career—this applies to Marines in paygrades E1-E3. To help you focus on the credentials most appropriate for early in your career, the National Certifications list below has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.

Obtaining credentials related to your MOS helps improve your professionalism and help prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.

Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply.

You selected Mid-Career—this applies to Marines in paygrades E4-E5. To help you focus on credentials most applicable to this phase in your career, the certification list has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.

Obtaining credentials related to your MOS helps improve your professionalism and helps prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.

Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly.

You selected Late Career-- this applies to Marines in paygrades E6-E9. To help you focus on credentials most applicable to this phase in your career, the certification list has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.

Obtaining credentials related to your MOS helps improve your professionalism and help prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.

Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly.

You chose Transitioning-- this applies to Marines who are not reenlisting and are planning their next steps. To help you focus on the most applicable credentials, the certification list has been filtered to only show in-demand credentials that are GI Bill approved. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.

Obtaining a credential can help prepare you for civilian employment, and can demonstrate knowledge and skills in a way civilian employers understand. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly. If you are already within that six-month timeframe, you can still choose to pursue the credential yourself or explore other funding options to pay for credentials.

As a transitioning Marine, you may also want to visit the Marine Corps' Transition Readiness Program for other guidance regarding reentering the civilian workforce.

You chose Promotion-Seeking-- this applies to Marines who plan to stay in the Corps and who are actively working on advancement. To help you focus on the most applicable credentials, the certification list has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.

Obtaining credentials related to your rating helps improve your professionalism and help prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.

Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly.

You chose Veteran-- veterans are any former Service member who has been discharged from active duty military service. To help you focus on the most applicable credentials, the certification list has been filtered to show in-demand credentials that are GI Bill approved. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.

COOL does not pay for credentialing exams for veterans, but you may be able to get your credential funded through the GI Bill. Explore your funding options to see what funding may be available to you. Also, visit our page of Related Sites and expand the Resource Sites For Veterans section to see what other resources may be available to you

The following civilian credentials are related to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator. These credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these credentials, click on the credential title below.

For more supervisory and managerial credentials, please refer to the LEADER summary page.

Note: Please review that apply to the certifications listed below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As Attainability COOL$ GI Bill® Accreditation ID
General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG) Is Not In Demand Federal Communications Commission (FCC) someSome highhigh COOL BucksCOOL Bucks GI BillGI Bill  
GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) Is Not In Demand Federal Communications Commission (FCC) someSome highhigh COOL BucksCOOL Bucks GI BillGI Bill  
NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE) Is Not In Demand ASTM International mostMost highhigh COOL BucksCOOL Bucks    

Related Civilian Occupations

The following civilian occupations are similar to the duties performed by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below. For more supervisory and managerial positions, please refer to the LEADER summary page. To search for related civilian job opportunities, go to the Veteran’s Employment Center.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians mostMost   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary

A wide range of civilian job opportunities is available within the private and public sectors that align with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator military training and experience. More information about these opportunities and other considerations concerning occupations related to Collateral Duty/Out of Rate Assignment Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator can be found below.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Jobs

There are numerous opportunities available in the aviation industry. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offers a range of career opportunities to individuals with different skills within its organization. Their workforce includes:

  • Air Traffic Controllers
  • Aviation Safety Inspectors
  • Airways Transportation Systems Specialists
  • Community Planners
  • Security Inspectors
  • Engineers
  • Program Managers
  • Acquisition Specialists
  • Contract Specialists
  • Human Resources Professionals
  • Technicians

Consult the FAA Jobs website for additional information on aviation related career opportunities and job openings.

In addition to obtaining certifications in your field, advanced education is another way to enhance job performance.

For help in making informed choices on schools and education programs when using tuition assistance, see:

This is an official U.S. Marine Corps websiteUpdated: December 01, 2020
Top
Click here to go to General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG) is an intermediate-level technician license. A PG is required to adjust, maintain, or internally repair FCC licensed radiotelephone transmitters in the aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. A PG is also required to operate: any compulsory equipped ship radiotelephone station operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power; and voluntarily equipped ship and aeronautical (including aircraft) stations with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power. FCC requires candidates to be a legal resident of the United States and be fluent in the English language. Candidates must pass a written exam.
Click here to go to GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) is an entry- level license that qualifies the holder to operate and make some basic equipment adjustments to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio installations and confers the operating authority of the MP. The Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft. FCC requires candidates to be a legal resident of the United States and be fluent in the English language. Candidates must pass a written exam.
Click here to go to NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Lifetime

ASTM International, NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE) recognizes the knowledge base of the advanced aerospace technician and promotes integrity, safety, and professionalism in the aerospace workforce. FOE knowledge and skills include housekeeping, tool accountability, hardware accountability, lost items, physical entry and personnel control, reporting and investigating, material handling, parts protections, hazardous materials, wildlife/environment, and Foreign Object Damage (FOD) effects. There are no FOE eligibility requirements. The FOE written exam is open to all individuals regardless of career field, training, education or experience. Candidates must pass the written exam.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

High

Highly attainable: Credential is related to the duties performed within the military occupation, the minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: Credential is related to the duties performed within the military occupation, the minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Low

May be difficult to attain: Credential is related to the duties performed within the military occupation, the minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians