U.S. Marine Corps MOS Career Guide

6316 — Aircraft Communications/Navigation Systems Technician, KC-130:
Civilian Career Guide

Marine Corps 6316 experience can support KC-130 sustainment, civilian avionics maintenance, electronics field service, aerospace test, repair-station work, and quality roles. The strongest transition documents exact communications/navigation and deceptive electronic countermeasures systems, components, faults, test equipment, maintenance actions, records, and results, then separates military qualification from FAA privileges, clearance status, program access, and employer authorization.

Avionics technicians median: $81,390

Electronics repair median: $71,270

NAVMC 1200.1L and FY27 continuity verified

NAVMC source note

NAVMC 1200.1L assigns 6316 technicians to install, remove, inspect, test, maintain, and repair components and ancillary equipment in KC-130 communications/navigation and deceptive electronic countermeasures systems at the organizational maintenance level. The MOS requires U.S. citizenship, Secret clearance eligibility, the Avionics Technician Organizational Level course, and the KC-130J Communication/Navigation Technician Initial Accession Course. NAVMC 1200.1M retains the specialty for FY27.

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KC-130 Communications/Navigation Avionics Technician$50k – $114k8% avionics growth 2024-2034

Aircraft Avionics Technician / Repair Station Technician$50k – $114k8% growth 2024-2034

Transportation Communications and Navigation Electronics Technician$42k – $109k6% transportation-electronics growth

Aerospace Test and Integration Technician$54k – $120k8% growth 2024-2034

Avionics Maintenance Supervisor$48k – $120kMaintenance supervisor median $78,300

See full role breakdowns: demand data, hiring notes, and employer expectations →

Document the Avionics Work

A systems list becomes credible when the fault, test, maintenance action, authority, and result are visible.

Your blueprint should separate systems, components, test equipment, fault isolation, removal and installation, inspections, operational checks, records, clearance status, and leadership, then map each area to FAA and employer requirements.

Build My 6316 Blueprint →

Section 01

Top Civilian Role Matches for 6316

KC-130 Communications/Navigation Avionics Technician Closest platform bridge

$50k – $114k

This is the closest platform bridge for 6316 Marines supporting KC-130 defense, depot, contractor, modification, or field maintenance. Employers need the exact communications/navigation and deceptive electronic countermeasures systems, components, faults, test equipment, removals and installations, operational checks, records, and qualification scope behind the MOS. Secret eligibility and platform experience may help, but employers independently verify clearance and access. Quantify aircraft, systems, inspections, faults isolated, components changed, tests passed, repeat discrepancies, turnaround, schedule completion, and technicians trained.

KC-130AvionicsFault isolationCleared programs

8% avionics growth 2024-2034

Source: BLS OOH: Avionics Technicians · Median $81,390 (May 2024)

Aircraft Avionics Technician / Repair Station Technician

$50k – $114k

Airlines, cargo carriers, repair stations, manufacturers, and business-aviation employers hire technicians to install, test, adjust, and repair aircraft electronics. 6316 experience fits when the Marine can prove system-level troubleshooting, component replacement, wiring or interface work, technical-data use, calibrated test equipment, software or configuration boundaries, and maintenance records. FAA or employer authorization depends on the work and organization. Quantify systems, faults, tests, first-pass results, retests, repeat write-ups, turnaround, and documentation accuracy.

Civil avionicsRepair stationAircraft electronicsTechnical records

8% growth 2024-2034

Source: BLS OOH: Avionics Technicians · Median $81,390 (May 2024)

Transportation Communications and Navigation Electronics Technician

$42k – $109k

Transportation-equipment employers install, adjust, and maintain mobile communications, navigation, surveillance, and related electronics. A 6316 background fits when the Marine can translate aircraft-specific work into signal paths, antennas, line-replaceable components, wiring, test equipment, configuration, and functional verification. Civilian rail, maritime, vehicle, or specialized-fleet systems still require employer training. Quantify installations, faults, components, tests, first-pass results, repeat discrepancies, turnaround, and documentation accuracy.

Transportation electronicsCommunicationsNavigationField service

6% transportation-electronics growth

Source: BLS OOH: Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers · Median $71,270 (May 2024)

Aerospace Test and Integration Technician

$54k – $120k

Manufacturers, test organizations, and modification programs hire technicians to install avionics, configure test articles, run procedures, capture data, identify anomalies, and support engineering dispositions. 6316 experience fits when the Marine can prove controlled installation, functional testing, configuration awareness, and accurate records. Some employers prefer an associate degree or program-specific qualification. Quantify test events, configurations, installations, anomalies, retests, accepted work, documentation accuracy, and coordination with engineering, software, quality, and maintenance.

Aerospace testIntegrationConfigurationEngineering support

8% growth 2024-2034

Source: BLS OOH: Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians · Median $79,830 (May 2024)

Avionics Maintenance Supervisor

$48k – $120k

This is a senior path for 6316 Marines who led technicians, schedules, qualifications, inspections, records, and maintenance performance rather than only completing individual tasks. Employers need team size, shift or work-center scope, workload, training, quality, schedule, risk, and measurable outcomes. FAA privileges and program access remain separately controlled. Quantify people, aircraft, systems, inspections, overdue actions, first-pass results, repeat defects, turnaround, documentation accuracy, safety, and readiness.

Maintenance leadershipWork controlTrainingQuality

Maintenance supervisor median $78,300

Source: BLS: Maintenance and Repair Supervisors · Median $78,300 (May 2024)

Section 02

Transferable Strengths: What Civilian Employers See

Communications, Navigation, and DECM Systems Depth

The official 6316 scope centers installed KC-130 communications/navigation and deceptive electronic countermeasures systems. Translate the specific systems and interfaces actually maintained, then show the symptom, test setup, fault isolation, component action, operational check, and accepted result without disclosing controlled capabilities.

Organizational-Level Fault Isolation

On-aircraft maintenance requires fast, disciplined troubleshooting under schedule pressure. Separate inspect, test, isolate, remove, install, configure, verify, and document. Quantify faults, no-fault-found events, first-pass tests, repeat discrepancies, turnaround, and aircraft availability.

Test Equipment and Signal-Path Reasoning

Avionics technicians interpret measurements and system behavior to narrow faults. Name only instruments and methods actually used. Employers value technicians who can explain what was measured, how the fault was isolated, what changed, and how the repair was verified.

Configuration and Technical-Record Control

KC-130 avionics work depends on approved procedures, correct hardware and software configuration, traceable component changes, and accurate records. Show actions completed, documentation accuracy, configuration discrepancies prevented, quality handoffs, and audit results.

Cleared-Program Discipline

The MOS requires Secret clearance eligibility. State current status precisely and protect controlled system information. Eligibility, an investigation, an active clearance, and program access are different. Lead with releasable technical scope, outcomes, quality, and reliability.

Section 03

Common Mistakes 6316 Marines Make in the Civilian Job Search

Listing Acronyms Instead of Fault-Isolation Evidence

A list of KC-130 systems does not prove avionics depth. Translate the symptom, signal path, test equipment, diagnosis, component action, operational check, record, and outcome. Add faults, first-pass tests, repeat discrepancies, turnaround, and availability.

Assuming Military Qualification Grants FAA Authority

Military avionics experience may support FAA mechanic eligibility, but it does not issue an Airframe, Powerplant, A&P, repairman certificate, or return-to-service authority. Preserve practical-experience records and distinguish military maintenance sign-offs from civilian regulatory privileges.

Overstating Clearance, Radar, or DECM Scope

Secret eligibility and KC-130 access do not guarantee an active clearance or future program access. Name only systems and tasks actually performed, protect controlled capabilities, and avoid implying engineering, software, independent inspection, or component-level repair authority you did not hold.

Section 04

Credentials That Strengthen a 6316 Transition

ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician

Cost $175 examTime 90 questions; two-hour limitFormat Computer-based exam; 73% passing score

ASTM NCATT AET validates foundational aircraft electronics knowledge. SpaceTEC lists the current AET exam at $175. It is an industry certification, not an FAA mechanic rating, employer authorization, or substitute for platform-specific training.

Avionics knowledge signal · Useful across aircraft electronics roles

ASTM NCATT AET Systems Endorsements

Cost $150 per endorsement after AETTime 50-question endorsement exams; one-hour limitFormat Choose RCS, OCS, DNS, or ANS for the target role

SpaceTEC NCATT pricing lists Radio Communication Systems, Onboard Communications and Safety Systems, Dependent Navigation Systems, and Autonomous Navigation Systems endorsements at $150 each. The AET is a prerequisite. Choose an endorsement that matches documented experience and the civilian job rather than collecting unrelated credentials.

System-specific signal · Best after the foundational AET

FAA Mechanic Certificate: Airframe and Powerplant

Cost FAA issuance $0; commercial testing and examiner fees varyTime 18 months for one rating or 30 months concurrent for bothFormat Eligibility review, knowledge, oral, and practical tests

FAA mechanic experience guidance explains how documented military work may support Airframe, Powerplant, or both rating eligibility. The FAA reviews actual practical experience, and military classification alone does not authorize testing or issue a certificate.

Broad civil-aviation path · Requires FAA-accepted experience and tests

Section 05

Resume Translation: From KC-130 Avionics to Civilian Systems

The 6316 resume should show the KC-130 system, symptom, test, diagnosis, component action, verification, record, and result behind each claim.

Before: Platform terminology without troubleshooting proof

Served as a KC-130 avionics technician. Maintained communications, navigation systems and supported aircraft readiness.

After: Civilian avionics language with proof

Installed, removed, inspected, tested, maintained, and repaired KC-130 communications/navigation and deceptive electronic countermeasures components and ancillary equipment across [number] aircraft using approved technical data, calibrated test equipment, configuration controls, and maintenance records. Diagnosed [number] discrepancies per [period], isolated faults to [component or system level], and achieved [percent] first-pass operational checks while reducing repeat write-ups by [percent]. Completed [number] component removals, installations, or configurations with average turnaround of [time], supporting [percent] schedule completion and [readiness result]. Maintained [percent] documentation accuracy and protected controlled technical information. Trained [number] technicians on troubleshooting, test procedures, records, and safety, producing [qualification, quality, reliability, or readiness result].

The 6316 Translation Formula

Military term	Civilian translation	Proof to show
Communications, Navigation, and DECM	aircraft communications, navigation, and electronic-countermeasures inspection, test, fault isolation, component maintenance, and verification	aircraft, systems, faults, tests, components, and accepted results
Organizational maintenance	on-aircraft inspection, fault isolation, line-replaceable component change, operational testing, and records	discrepancies, removals, installations, tests, turnaround, and repeat rate
Remove and replace	controlled component removal, installation, interface inspection, configuration, and functional verification	components, connectors, wiring, configurations, test results, and rework
Operational check	post-maintenance functional test against approved criteria with documented results and escalation	checks, pass rate, failures, retests, handoffs, and records
Secret eligibility	eligibility for consideration in cleared aerospace work, subject to employer verification and program access	current status stated accurately without controlled details

Always quantify aircraft, systems, components, inspections, faults, tests, removals and installations, first-pass results, repeat discrepancies, turnaround, schedule completion, documentation accuracy, technicians trained, availability, and safety

Last updated July 2026 using BLS May 2024 avionics data, BLS electronics repair data, BLS Aerospace Technician data, and BLS maintenance supervisor data. Credentials were checked against SpaceTEC ASTM NCATT requirements, SpaceTEC NCATT pricing, and FAA mechanic experience guidance. Duties were verified in NAVMC 1200.1L, and NAVMC 1200.1M was checked and retains the specialty for FY27.

Section 06

6316 Civilian Career FAQs

What civilian jobs fit Marine Corps MOS 6316?

The closest paths are KC-130 sustainment avionics technician, civilian aircraft avionics technician, repair-station technician, electronics field service technician, aerospace test and integration technician, and conditional quality or supervisor roles. Fit depends on system depth, test equipment, maintenance authority, FAA status, clearance status, education, and documented outcomes.

Does 6316 automatically qualify someone for an FAA A&P?

No. The FAA reviews documented practical experience to determine eligibility for Airframe, Powerplant, or both ratings, and applicants must pass the applicable tests. Military avionics qualification can support the evidence package, but the code alone does not issue a certificate or civilian return-to-service authority.

Which NCATT credential fits aircraft communications and navigation work?

The Aircraft Electronics Technician credential is the foundation. After AET, candidates can consider Radio Communication Systems, Onboard Communications and Safety Systems, Dependent Navigation Systems, or Autonomous Navigation Systems endorsements. Choose the endorsement that matches actual experience and the target employer's systems rather than assuming every endorsement is necessary.

What should a 6316 Marine document before separation?

Record aircraft, communications/navigation and deceptive electronic countermeasures systems, components, symptoms, faults, test equipment, removals and installations, configurations, operational checks, first-pass results, repeat discrepancies, turnaround, records, qualifications, technicians trained, readiness, and safety outcomes. Preserve releasable evidence while protecting controlled technical information.

Build the Right Avionics Bridge

Translate military systems depth without overstating civilian authority or access.

CommandPath uses your platform, avionics systems, components, faults, tests, maintenance level, records, qualifications, clearance status, quality work, and leadership to distinguish technician, test, repair, field-service, and supervisor paths.