Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$65KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.00626 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 0626Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.0626.R.04
0626 · USMC · EnlistedFleet SATCOM Terminal
Fleet SATCOM Terminal
Operator.
Marine Corps 0626 (Fleet SATCOM Terminal Operator). 240 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours240DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in Telecommunications Systems
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 0626 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 0626 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Satellite Communications Theory→ Understanding of network communication protocols and signal transmission
- 02Terminal Emplacement Procedures→ Ability to set up and configure hardware systems
- 03Interconnection and Cabling→ Experience with physical network connections and cable management
- 04Troubleshooting and Maintenance→ Skills in diagnosing and resolving technical issues
- 05Security Procedures for SATCOM Equipment→ Understanding of security protocols and data protection
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to strict protocols and guidelines
- 07System Modeling→ Understanding of interconnected systems and potential points of failure
- 08Degraded-Mode Operations→ Maintaining functionality under adverse conditions
- 09Situational Awareness→ Anticipating and responding to changing circumstances
To learn07
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification+Linux system administration fundamentals+Basic scripting with Bash or Python+CompTIA Security+ certification+Fundamentals of TCP/IP and network security+IT service management (ITSM) frameworks like ITIL+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, ServiceNow)
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Network Engineer
$95KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — CompTIA Network+
Satellite Communications Technician
$70KHigh match
Growing demand
Field Service Technician
$60KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific product certifications (e.g., for industrial equipment)
- — Strong customer service skills
Avionics Technician
$75KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specialized avionics training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 0626 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Procedural Compliance
As a Fleet SATCOM terminal operator, you meticulously followed detailed procedures for setting up, operating, and troubleshooting the AN/TSC-96. This ensured consistent and reliable communication links, even under pressure.
Transfers to
Your ability to adhere to strict protocols and guidelines translates directly into roles requiring precision and consistency, such as quality assurance or regulatory compliance.
System Modeling
You developed a mental model of how the AN/TSC-96 system worked, understanding the relationship between its components and how they interacted to transmit and receive data. This allowed you to quickly diagnose and resolve issues.
Transfers to
This understanding of interconnected systems makes you well-suited for roles where you need to grasp complex processes and identify potential points of failure, such as a business analyst or process improvement specialist.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained communication capabilities even when equipment malfunctions or environmental factors degraded performance. You implemented workarounds and adapted procedures to maintain essential functions.
Transfers to
Your experience in maintaining functionality under adverse conditions translates to a valuable skillset in any role that requires problem-solving under pressure, such as disaster recovery planning or IT incident management.
Situational Awareness
You maintained awareness of the operational environment, including potential threats to the communication link, changes in user needs, and the status of supporting infrastructure. This enabled proactive problem-solving and risk mitigation.
Transfers to
Your ability to anticipate and respond to changing circumstances is highly valuable in roles requiring strategic thinking and proactive planning, such as project management or risk assessment.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Technical Trainer
SOC 25-9044.00You've been responsible for setting up, operating, and troubleshooting a complex communication system. You have a natural ability to transfer that knowledge to others, breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible steps. You can train others on new technologies, software, or equipment.
Adjacent · MatchIT Risk Analyst
SOC 13-2051.00You've been trained to think about all the things that could go wrong with a SATCOM system and take steps to prevent those things from happening. You can apply that same skillset to identifying and mitigating IT risks within a company, ensuring the security and stability of their networks and data.
Adjacent · MatchProcess Improvement Specialist
SOC 13-1111.00You've been deeply involved in the processes involved in maintaining communication links. You are excellent at following procedures, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending improvements. This makes you a strong candidate to analyze and improve business processes across various industries.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
AN/TSC-96 Operator Course
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, Twenty Nine Palms, CA240hHours
6wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 3 semester hours in Telecommunications Systems
Topics · 8
- AN/TSC-96 System Overview
- Satellite Communications Theory
- Terminal Emplacement Procedures
- Interconnection and Cabling
- Powering and Energizing Procedures
- Operational Verification and Testing
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
- Security Procedures for SATCOM Equipment
Partial coverage · 2
- CompTIA Network+60%
While the AN/TSC-96 focuses on satellite communication, Network+ covers broader networking concepts like routing, switching, and network security that would be beneficial to learn.
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)50%
The CET covers a wide range of electronics principles and troubleshooting. The AN/TSC-96 experience provides a solid foundation, but further study in areas like component-level repair and advanced circuit analysis would be necessary.
Recommended next · 03
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Adjacent
- Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Professional CertificationAdjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TSC-96 Satellite Terminal | Satellite communication systems, such as those manufactured by Comtech EF Data, Hughes, or Viasat | Operations |
| KG-84C In-Line COMSEC Device | Encryption devices/modules, such as Thales or Gemalto hardware security modules (HSMs) | Operations |
| HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) with Shelter Carrier | Commercial vehicles adapted for mobile communication, such as those used by broadcast news or emergency response teams | Platform |
| Digital Multimeter | Fluke or Keysight Multimeter | Operations |
| Spectrum Analyzer | Keysight or Rohde & Schwarz Spectrum Analyzer | Operations |
| Satellite Signal Analyzers | ViaSat or Agilent Satellite Signal Analyzers | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 0626 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.