Army Aviation Operations Specialists (MOS 15P) schedule and dispatch tactical aircraft mission details.
Soldiers in this Army MOS are responsible for ensuring all details of a flight or mission are properly accounted for.
This position can include tasks such as manifest prepping and maintaining flight logs.
Qualifications, Training and Duty Stations
Aviation Operations Specialists are required to take the ASVAB test.
A score of 91 on the Skilled Technical (ST) test is required.
Recruits will attend Basic Combat Training for 10 weeks.
After successful completion of Basic Combat Training, soldiers will attend Advanced Individual Training at the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Novosel, Alabama.
Helpful skills in this position include:
- Ability to use typewriters and office machines
- Attention to detail and ability to keep accurate records
- Interest in computers, math, aircraft, and air traffic
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Duty Stations
Those serving in the Army in MOS 15P can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:
Inside the Continental US (CONUS)
- Camp Mackall, NC
- Fort Belvoir, VA
- Fort Bliss, TX
- Fort Campbell, KY
- Fort Carson, CO
- Fort Cavazos, TX
- Fort Drum, NY
- Fort Huachuca, AZ
- Fort Hunter Liggett, CA
- Fort Irwin, CA
- Fort Johnson, LA
- Fort Liberty, NC
- Fort Moore, GA
- Fort Novosel, AL
- Fort Riley, KS
- Fort Sill, OK
- Fort Stewart, GA
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
- Yakima Training Center, WA
Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)
- El Gorah, Egypt
- Fort Wainwright, AK
- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
- Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras
- USAG Ansbach, Germany
- USAG Bavaria, Germany
- USAG Hawaii
- USAG Humphreys, South Korea
- USAG Italy, Vicenza
- USAG Japan
- USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
- USAG Stuttgart, Germany
- USAG Wiesbaden, Germany
- USAG Yongsan-Casey, South Korea
What does an Army Aviation Operations Specialist Do?
Aviation Operations Specialists have the important job of planning, troubleshooting, and maintaining accuracy in base and flight operations.
If an Aviation Operations Specialist looks over a missing item on a manifest or forgets to plan fueling for an aircraft, it can have detrimental issues for the aircraft, crew, and mission.
Clear and effective communication is very important in this position.
This is a position that can land you in places around the world and working directly with people who are in different places around the world from your exact location.
Skills learned in training that will be applied to this position include keeping accurate aviation operations and records.
It is required to know how to search and site regulations, not just for the US.
Advanced computer systems and technology will be used by the specialist to complete several different tasks.
The specialist receives, processes, and dispatches crucial, time-sensitive information to aircrew and aircraft operation units.
They are required to know the procedures to schedule an aircraft and the needed crew.
In addition to scheduling the aircraft, they will complete all of the flight planning and airfield operations.
They will go over flight plans to ensure accuracy and coordinate the flight plans with other team members.
Manifests are checked as well by the specialist to ensure all items are accounted for, not duplicated, and meet the correct weight and size specifications for the aircraft.
They search, interpret and post weather reports for flights.
Interpreting and posting hazard maps and air coordination or tasking orders for pre-flight planning is also important.
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Aviation Operations Specialists are in charge of maintaining flight logs for all incoming and outgoing flights.
They will also keep individual flight records.
During a flight, the individual flight records include all aspects related to that flight such as estimated and actual times of departure and arrival and total time on route.
While in flight the specialist will be in contact with the crew providing weather updates and any other information that may affect the mission or safety of the crew.
These specialists will process local and cross-country flight clearances.
If any emergencies arise during or prior to a flight, it is the duty of the specialist to notify crash crews and change plans accordingly.
Possible emergencies include crashes, sudden landings, or delays.
These specialists will process local and cross-country flight clearances.
The specialist will provide regular updates to command and other units on the flight operations and timing.
The US Army Recruiting video below gives an inside look at the MOS 15P position duties and training.
What Does an MOS 15P Aviation Operations Specialist get Paid?
Soldiers in MOS 15P will be paid based on rank and time of service.
As this is an entry-level position, recruits will be paid based on rank and time of service.
In addition to the pay found in the Army base pay table below, there are opportunities for bonuses for enlisting in certain positions or within certain time frames.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
There are also benefits, allowances, and compensation opportunities that add to your base pay.
Benefits
All soldiers in the Army will be offered benefits that greatly add to their base pay.
Army benefits include:
- Insurance: Free to low-cost medical and dental; paid sick time; low-cost life insurance
- Vacation: 30 paid days annually
- Housing: Free on-base or Basic Allowance for Housing if authorized to live off base
- Food: Free on-base or Basic Allowance for Subsistence if authorized to live off base.
Additional benefits for education include tuition assistance, scholarship opportunities, and allowances for books and fees.
Soldiers will be given clothing allowances annually for military clothing plus civilian clothing if their specific job requires them to wear civilian clothing.
There are also other allowance opportunities such as deployment per diem when TDY.
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Job Reviews
Reviews of this position are mainly positive.
People comment that the work that you perform can be stressful, but the actual environment is quiet and calm in comparison to other jobs in the Army.
This position gives you the opportunity to meet new people and learn discipline.
Negative reviews note long hours and deployment.
You can review a positive and negative review below.
Civilian Career Opportunities
This position will provide experience with computers, technology, and communication.
You can find related positions working with aviation, technology companies, or any company looking for administrative positions.
Possible job titles include:
- Dispatch
- Office Administration
- Air Traffic Control
- Air Transport
- Logistics Management
- Information Technology Specialist
All of these positions will vary in pay and availability based on location and company.
The Army also participates in the COOL program that allows you to learn certificates and licenses that will benefit a future civilian career while in the Military.
The COOL site for this position can be found here.
As part of recruiting, this position is eligible for the Partnership for Your Success (PAYS) program that guarantees a job interview with military-friendly employers.
Summary
Army Aviation Operations Specialists (MOS 15P) ensure that all details of an aircraft mission are correctly accounted for.
These individuals use a high sense of attention to detail to check flight plans and manifests, process flight clearances, and maintain flight records.
Their position is vital to the aircraft mission.
This is an entry-level position that offers basic pay, benefits, allowances, and potential bonuses.
Working in Aviation Operations can be stressful but it is also exciting and less labor intensive than other positions.
There are opportunities to work in communications, aviation, and technology as a civilian using the skills learned in this position.
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References
Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.
- 7 Army Bonuses For 2023 - March 20, 2022
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General FAQ
What does an aviation operations specialist do in the army?
An Army Aviation Operations Specialist (MOS 15P) support aircraft missions by ensuring all flight data is correct and accounted for, including manifests and flight logs.
How much does an aviation operations specialist make?
An Army Aviation Operations Specialist (MOS 15P) is paid according to rank and time in service. A new soldier with less than two years in service can currently expect a base pay of $1,733 per month.
How do you become an Army Aviation Operations Specialist?
To become an Army Aviation Operations Specialist (MOS 15P), you’ll need a minimum score of 91 on the Skilled Technical portion of the ASVAB.
How long is AIT for Army MOS 15P?
Advanced Individual Training for Army Aviation Operations Specialists is eight weeks and takes place at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
What civilian jobs compare with Army Aviation Operations?
After retirement or separation, many Army Aviation Operations Specialists work in airfield management, transportation logistics, dispatch, office administration, and information technology.
