Ideal Jobs for Former Military Pilots?

For former military pilots, what civilian jobs align best with their skills and experience? I'm thinking about career options post-military, and I'd like to know which sectors offer promising opportunities for pilots.

Alongside the obvious choice of becoming a commercial pilot, the skills and experiences gained in the military open up a broader array of careers for former military pilots.

1. Cargo airlines: Many pilots transition to flying for large cargo airlines like Fed-Ex or UPS. These jobs offer a stable career flying large, multi-engine aircraft, similar to what you might have flown in the military.

2. Corporate aviation: Flying for a private company gives pilots the chance to pilot smaller aircraft and often allows a more flexible schedule.

3. Aerospace companies: Companies like Boeing or Lockheed Martin often hire former military pilots to work as test pilots, technical advisors, or in other specialist roles.

4. Emergency Medical Services: Critical life flight or air ambulance jobs offer an opportunity to use your piloting skills to make a real difference in peoples’ lives.

5. Aviation management: Many airports and airlines hire military pilots for management roles because they have the background knowledge in aeronautics and strong leadership skills required.

6. Training and education: Both private companies and government organizations look for trained pilots to provide instruction, train air traffic controllers or create pilot curriculum.

7. Space Agencies: Agencies like NASA and commercial spaceflight companies may provide opportunities for military pilots, especially since many astronauts have been recruited from military pilot ranks.

Transitioning from the military to civilian life has its own distinct challenges. Leveraging your experience, skills, and understanding how they apply to civilian roles can greatly enhance your career prospects post-military. It may be beneficial to engage in network building and career counseling to understand the opportunities available to you and ensure a successful transition.