In April 1952, Schilt returned from Korea to serve in Hawaii as deputy commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, until February 1953 when he became commanding general, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. He left El Toro in July 1955, and assumed his duties at Headquarters Marine Corps as Director of Aviation on August 1, 1955, as a lieutenant general. He served in this capacity until retirement from the Marine Corps on April 1, 1957, when he was promoted to full general.