Credit for Military Experience
FAA regulations allow military veterans trained in aviation-related military occupational specialties (MOS) to use that experience to obtain an FAA mechanic certificate. The purpose of this issue page is to educate educational institutions on the regulations that dictate these requirements and provide suggestions for the creation of veteran programs that provide classroom credit for military experience.
The Regulations
To be eligible for a mechanic certificate the candidate must meet the requirements set forth in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 65.71, specifically that the person be at least 18 years of age, be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, pass all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months, and comply with requirements of the rating(s) sought.
Section 65.75 further requires that “each applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating… pass a written test covering the construction and maintenance of aircraft appropriate to the rating he seeks…”
Finally, § 65.77 requires appropriate experience before the tests expounded in § 65.75 may be administered, specifically that “each applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating must present either an appropriate graduation certificate or certificate of completion from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school or documentary evidence, satisfactory to the [FAA appointed] Administrator, of at least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes, or powerplants appropriate to the rating sought; or at least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings.”
Therefore, persons with previous military aviation training may utilize their instruction and experience to fulfill the requirements in § 65.77.
Veterans may elect to attend an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS), regulated under part 147, to meet the § 65.77 experience requirements, or to expand upon that experience.
Under § 147.31, the veteran may utilize their experience to fulfill classroom requirements. That is, the regulation allows the student-veteran to test out of every class for which he is claiming exemption, so long as the test is “equal to one given to the students who complete a comparable required curriculum subject at the crediting school.”
Guidance Material
Advisory Circular (AC) 65-30’s appendix A provides the MOS codes that bridge the gap between previous experience the course credit. The AMTS can utilize the codes to determine “creditable experience” the veteran gained during their enlistment.
AC 147-3, paragraph 2.7.n.(4) states that “[a]s a rule, creditable previous mechanic experience must be aviation maintenance experience comparable to the required AMTS curriculum subjects. For example, a person applying for credit for powerplant experience gained while working in the military or at an airline could be considered as previous experience.”
Paragraph 4.2.n also suggests that the institution adopt “[a] written description of the method the school will use to grant credit to students with previous AMT experience. Section 147.31(c)(3) requires that only documentary evidence and testing may be used to grant credit for experience. Previous experience must be aviation maintenance experience and must be comparable to the required curriculum subjects.”
Procedures
AMTS should have a process in place to ensure the proper issuance of credit for past experience, such as a standard form (download ATEC’s suggested template here) that ensures proper comparison between the experience and curriculum requirements, and determines which classes the veteran may elect to test out of. For veterans, that may involve a review of--
Universities v. Non-collegiate AMTS
The process of issuing class credit will differ depending on whether the school offers a degree in addition to the subjects required to earn a mechanic’s license. Universities that confer a degree may have a minimum credit hour requirement; if a veteran utilizes past military experience to fulfill a specific class requirement that person may still need to fulfill minimum credit hour requirements.
Veterans come equipped with credit for both the technical and collegiate education. All military personnel are given proof of their traditional college credit through the JST program for schools and classes that they are required to take during their service. These classes can vary, but often include physical education, U.S. history, U.S. government, leadership, math, geography, personal financial management, and grammar.
Universities may consider allowing individuals that already hold a mechanic certificate and applicable ratings to apply those ratings as proof of experience and knowledge and opt out of all general maintenance classes and the classes specific to the rating that is already held.
Veteran Recruitment
To recruit veterans, attend military job fairs and create a reputation at local air stations. Help alumni find positions on base so that they can work in tangent with active military personnel and advertise in hangars and at different unit events. Most bases also have a source for assisting active duty personnel to apply and enroll in classes on and near the base. This recourse could be invaluable in helping students learn about your institution.
All members of the military attend a class as they exit the military and reenter the civilian world. Students are taught how to translate their military experiences into civilian résumés and how to explain their experiences to civilian employers during an interview. AMTS have the opportunity to utilize the course to advertise to prospective students through information and presentations. For more information about using this resource contact your local military instillation and ask to speak to the transition assistance program coordinator.
Financial Assistance
The GI Bill is a government program that helps veterans pay for and support education. Most schools have specialized and trained personnel that help students navigate the process.
Schools may elect to join the Yellow Ribbon Program which provides further financial assistance to veterans. Participation in the program is a large selling point for those in the veteran community who see it as a sign that the institution is “veteran friendly”.
Finally, many educational institutions provide additional financial assistance such as in-state tuition, specialized academic assistance programs, disability/post-traumatic stress disorder support, veteran-focused career events, mentorships, and veteran clubs on campus.
The Regulations
To be eligible for a mechanic certificate the candidate must meet the requirements set forth in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 65.71, specifically that the person be at least 18 years of age, be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, pass all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months, and comply with requirements of the rating(s) sought.
Section 65.75 further requires that “each applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating… pass a written test covering the construction and maintenance of aircraft appropriate to the rating he seeks…”
Finally, § 65.77 requires appropriate experience before the tests expounded in § 65.75 may be administered, specifically that “each applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating must present either an appropriate graduation certificate or certificate of completion from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school or documentary evidence, satisfactory to the [FAA appointed] Administrator, of at least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes, or powerplants appropriate to the rating sought; or at least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings.”
Therefore, persons with previous military aviation training may utilize their instruction and experience to fulfill the requirements in § 65.77.
Veterans may elect to attend an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS), regulated under part 147, to meet the § 65.77 experience requirements, or to expand upon that experience.
Under § 147.31, the veteran may utilize their experience to fulfill classroom requirements. That is, the regulation allows the student-veteran to test out of every class for which he is claiming exemption, so long as the test is “equal to one given to the students who complete a comparable required curriculum subject at the crediting school.”
Guidance Material
Advisory Circular (AC) 65-30’s appendix A provides the MOS codes that bridge the gap between previous experience the course credit. The AMTS can utilize the codes to determine “creditable experience” the veteran gained during their enlistment.
AC 147-3, paragraph 2.7.n.(4) states that “[a]s a rule, creditable previous mechanic experience must be aviation maintenance experience comparable to the required AMTS curriculum subjects. For example, a person applying for credit for powerplant experience gained while working in the military or at an airline could be considered as previous experience.”
Paragraph 4.2.n also suggests that the institution adopt “[a] written description of the method the school will use to grant credit to students with previous AMT experience. Section 147.31(c)(3) requires that only documentary evidence and testing may be used to grant credit for experience. Previous experience must be aviation maintenance experience and must be comparable to the required curriculum subjects.”
Procedures
AMTS should have a process in place to ensure the proper issuance of credit for past experience, such as a standard form (download ATEC’s suggested template here) that ensures proper comparison between the experience and curriculum requirements, and determines which classes the veteran may elect to test out of. For veterans, that may involve a review of--
- Military Service Record (DD-214),
- Joint Service Transcript (JST) (to obtain transcripts, have the veteran register at https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do),
- Military training jackets, detailing continued on-the-job training received during service, and/or
- Military technical school certificates and records.
Universities v. Non-collegiate AMTS
The process of issuing class credit will differ depending on whether the school offers a degree in addition to the subjects required to earn a mechanic’s license. Universities that confer a degree may have a minimum credit hour requirement; if a veteran utilizes past military experience to fulfill a specific class requirement that person may still need to fulfill minimum credit hour requirements.
Veterans come equipped with credit for both the technical and collegiate education. All military personnel are given proof of their traditional college credit through the JST program for schools and classes that they are required to take during their service. These classes can vary, but often include physical education, U.S. history, U.S. government, leadership, math, geography, personal financial management, and grammar.
Universities may consider allowing individuals that already hold a mechanic certificate and applicable ratings to apply those ratings as proof of experience and knowledge and opt out of all general maintenance classes and the classes specific to the rating that is already held.
Veteran Recruitment
To recruit veterans, attend military job fairs and create a reputation at local air stations. Help alumni find positions on base so that they can work in tangent with active military personnel and advertise in hangars and at different unit events. Most bases also have a source for assisting active duty personnel to apply and enroll in classes on and near the base. This recourse could be invaluable in helping students learn about your institution.
All members of the military attend a class as they exit the military and reenter the civilian world. Students are taught how to translate their military experiences into civilian résumés and how to explain their experiences to civilian employers during an interview. AMTS have the opportunity to utilize the course to advertise to prospective students through information and presentations. For more information about using this resource contact your local military instillation and ask to speak to the transition assistance program coordinator.
Financial Assistance
The GI Bill is a government program that helps veterans pay for and support education. Most schools have specialized and trained personnel that help students navigate the process.
Schools may elect to join the Yellow Ribbon Program which provides further financial assistance to veterans. Participation in the program is a large selling point for those in the veteran community who see it as a sign that the institution is “veteran friendly”.
Finally, many educational institutions provide additional financial assistance such as in-state tuition, specialized academic assistance programs, disability/post-traumatic stress disorder support, veteran-focused career events, mentorships, and veteran clubs on campus.
