🛩️ Unmanned aircraft (drones)
Flying and operating unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance and strike, and turning what they collect into usable intelligence.
What they do
This growing field operates unmanned aircraft (drones/RPA) for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike, and processes the imagery and data they collect. Operators launch, fly, and recover the aircraft or run the sensors; analysts exploit the take into intelligence.
Most roles carry a clearance and demand focus during long missions.
Jobs & codes by branch
Representative jobs in this field and their military occupation codes — not a complete list; each branch has many more and codes change. Use the official job finders below for the full, current list.
Army
15W Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator · 15E Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer · 35G/35F imagery & analysis of UAS collection
Air Force
1U0X1 RPA Sensor Operator · 1U1X1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot (enlisted, select systems)
Marine Corps
7314 Unmanned Aircraft System Operator · 7316 Unmanned Aircraft System Commander/Payload
Navy
Emerging unmanned systems roles (aviation & surface communities)
ASVAB areas that matter
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Math Knowledge (MK), General Science (GS), and Electronics Information (EI); often higher score minimums. Your AFQT score decides whether you can enlist; individual subtests combine into “line scores” that set which jobs you qualify for. Prepare with our free ASVAB practice tests.
How it transfers to civilian work
Transfers to the fast-growing commercial drone industry — inspection, mapping and surveying, agriculture, film, and public safety — plus imagery/GIS analysis. Credentials: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate, GIS and imagery-analysis certifications.
See every job & the exact requirements
Codes, availability, and ASVAB minimums vary by branch and change often — confirm on each branch's official job finder: Army ↗ · Navy ↗ · Air Force ↗ · Marine Corps ↗ · Space Force ↗ · Coast Guard ↗.