Survey Technician
$60KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Civilian surveying techniques
- — Modern CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D)
Live · Guide v1.013T · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 13TCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.13T.R.04
13T · ARMY · EnlistedField Artillery Surveyor/Meteorological
Field Artillery Surveyor/Meteorological
Technician.
Army 13T (Field Artillery Surveyor/Meteorological Technician). 320 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours320DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Physical Science and Geography
Tech roles3mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 13T 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 13T training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have07
- 01Meteorological Data Collection and Analysis→ Data Analysis and Interpretation
- 02Operating Meteorological Equipment (TMQ-53, TMQ-52)→ System Operation and Maintenance
- 03Digital Surveying Techniques (PADS/IPADS)→ GIS and Spatial Data Analysis
- 04Quality Control of Meteorological Data→ Data Validation and Quality Assurance
- 05Supervision of Meteorological Section Operations→ Team Leadership and Project Management
- 06Experience with AFATDS and JADOCS→ Familiarity with C2 server software with mapping functions
- 07Troubleshooting/repair of computer and peripheral equipment→ IT Support
To learn06
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI+Cloud computing platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud+Scripting languages such as Python or Bash for automation+Fundamentals of computer systems architecture+Network protocols and security principles
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.
Meteorological Technician
$55KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific meteorological certifications (e.g., Certified Broadcast Meteorologist)
- — Advanced data analysis software
Geospatial Analyst
$75KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
- — Remote sensing techniques
- — Data visualization
Construction Supervisor
$85KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA safety certifications
- — Construction management software (e.g., Procore)
- — Blueprint reading
Logistics Coordinator
$65KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management principles
- — Inventory management software
- — APICS certification (e.g., CPIM)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 13T training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
This role demands constant awareness of environmental factors (weather, terrain), equipment status, and team locations to ensure accurate data collection and mission success.
Transfers to
In civilian settings, this translates to quickly grasping the context of a situation, anticipating potential problems, and adapting strategies accordingly. You can 'read the room' and proactively address challenges.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to established protocols is critical for data accuracy, equipment maintenance, and safety. This includes following detailed survey procedures, meteorological data collection methods, and safety regulations for handling hazardous materials.
Transfers to
This skill demonstrates your ability to consistently follow established processes, ensuring quality and reliability in your work. You're detail-oriented and understand the importance of adhering to standards.
Team Synchronization
Whether leading a survey team or coordinating meteorological support, you're responsible for synchronizing the actions of multiple individuals to achieve a common goal. This includes clear communication, task delegation, and ensuring everyone is working in harmony.
Transfers to
Your experience in coordinating teams means you're adept at fostering collaboration, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, and driving collective success. You know how to get people working together effectively.
System Modeling
Analyzing weather data for significant changes that affect meteorology observations and soundings requires understanding how different elements of the environment interact. They use weather models to forecast and prepare.
Transfers to
Understanding complex systems allows you to make predictions and understand second-order effects in business and logistics environments. You are capable of understanding processes and optimizing them for better results.
After-Action Analysis
Reviewing technical, personnel, and administrative reports covering met section and station activities, and assessing individual and collective tactical meteorology competence requires the ability to identify areas for improvement and lessons learned from past operations.
Transfers to
Your experience performing AARs means you are well-equipped to evaluate project outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to optimize future performance. You have a commitment to continuous improvement and learning from experience.
/ 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.
Geospatial Analyst
SOC 15-1131You've been immersed in spatial data, coordinate systems, and environmental factors. Your skills in data collection, analysis, and visualization are directly transferable to analyzing geographic information for various applications, from urban planning to environmental monitoring. Plus, your leadership experience will make you a valuable asset.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071You've been managing the logistics of equipment, personnel, and data in challenging field conditions. This experience translates perfectly to coordinating the flow of goods, information, and resources in a supply chain. Your ability to anticipate problems and adapt to changing circumstances will make you a highly effective logistics professional.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161You've been trained to assess risks, plan for contingencies, and coordinate responses to unexpected events. This background is invaluable in emergency management, where you'll be responsible for developing and implementing plans to protect communities from natural disasters and other threats. Your leadership and decision-making skills will be critical in this role.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051You've been analyzing complex data, identifying patterns, and drawing conclusions to support military operations. You can leverage this skill set to analyze information, identify trends, and provide insights to businesses or government agencies. Your attention to detail and ability to think critically will be highly valued.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Field Artillery Meteorological Surveyor Course
Fort Sill, OK320hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Physical Science and Geography
Topics · 8
- Land Surveying Principles
- Meteorological Data Collection and Analysis
- Operating Meteorological Equipment (TMQ-53, TMQ-52)
- Digital Surveying Techniques (PADS/IPADS)
- Map Reading and Grid Coordinates
- Data Transmission and Reporting Procedures
- Quality Control of Meteorological Data
- Supervision of Meteorological Section Operations
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Survey Technician (CST) - Level I70%
Focus on specific surveying calculations, legal descriptions, and professional ethics required for civilian land surveying.
- Certified Weather Observer (CWO)60%
Need to study specific FAA and ICAO regulations for aviation weather observations and reporting procedures.
Recommended next · 04
- Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Professional Forecaster (CPF)Adjacent
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Adjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Global Positioning System (GPS) survey equipment | Trimble or Leica Geosystems GPS surveying equipment | Operations |
| Position Azimuth Determining System/Improved Position Azimuth Determining System (PADS/IPADS) | Robotic Total Stations with automatic target recognition (ATR) | Operations |
| Field Artillery Meteorological System (FAMETS) | Radiosonde Weather Balloon Systems | Operations |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Military tactical fire control systems | Operations |
| AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS) | Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) | Operations |
| Digital Topographic Support System (DTSS) | Geographic Information System (GIS) software like ESRI ArcGIS | Operations |
| Joint Automated Deep Operations System (JADOCS) | Command and Control (C2) server software with mapping functions | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 13T 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.