Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA A&P Certification
- — Specific aircraft model training
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USAF · 1B196Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1B196.R.04
1B196 · USAF · EnlistedAirfield Systems
Airfield Systems
Specialist.
Air Force 1B196 (Airfield Systems Specialist). 1,152 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$90K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,152DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics and telecommunications.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1B196 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 1B196 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Airfield Systems maintenance→ Troubleshooting and diagnostics of complex systems
- 02Equipment Performance Analysis→ Data analysis and pattern recognition for system improvement
- 03Interpreting technical specifications and diagrams→ Understanding and applying technical documentation
- 04Supervisory and management principles→ Leadership and team coordination
- 05Situational Awareness→ Quickly assessing complex situations and making informed decisions
To learn07
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)+Networking protocols and security+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, Puppet)+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash)+Cybersecurity principles and practices+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools
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.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$68KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)
- — Fiber optic splicing certification
Electronics Engineering Technician
$72KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in Electronics Technology
- — Proficiency in CAD software
Wind Turbine Technician
$65KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine safety training
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Electrical troubleshooting in renewable energy systems
Network Engineer
$90KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — CompTIA Network+
- — Knowledge of network security principles
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1B196 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Airfield Systems specialists must understand how various electronic and mechanical components interact within complex airfield systems to ensure safe and efficient air traffic control and navigation.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand complex system interactions translates to an aptitude for designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex systems in various industries.
Procedural Compliance
The role requires strict adherence to maintenance management publications, procedures, safety standards, and technical directives when installing, maintaining, and repairing airfield systems equipment.
Transfers to
Your experience in following detailed protocols ensures safety, accuracy, and regulatory compliance, highly valued in industries with strict operational guidelines.
Situational Awareness
Airfield Systems specialists maintain awareness of system performance trends, interpret inspection findings, and understand the impact of local terrain and base facilities on equipment placement and operation.
Transfers to
This comprehensive awareness of the environment and its influence on systems makes you adept at identifying potential issues, adapting to changing conditions, and making informed decisions in dynamic situations.
Degraded-Mode Operations
The ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment malfunctions under pressure, using diagnostic software and specialized test equipment, ensures continued operation even when systems are not functioning optimally.
Transfers to
Your experience in maintaining operability under duress, using diagnostic software, makes you adept at problem solving, especially when the stakes are high.
/ 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.
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been maintaining complex electronic and mechanical systems in challenging environments. Your troubleshooting skills and attention to detail are directly transferable to ensuring the reliable operation of wind turbines.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've worked extensively with electro-mechanical systems and diagnostic tools. Your experience in system maintenance and repair makes you an ideal candidate for maintaining and troubleshooting robotic systems in manufacturing or other industries.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You're skilled in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining complex systems, and your ability to interpret technical specifications and troubleshoot malfunctions makes you well-suited for ensuring the optimal performance of industrial machinery.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Airfield Systems Apprentice Course
Keesler AFB, MS1,152hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics and telecommunications.
Topics · 8
- Airfield Navigation Aids Theory and Maintenance
- Air Traffic Control Radio Systems
- Meteorological Equipment Maintenance
- Ground-to-Air Radio Systems Installation and Repair
- Equipment Performance Analysis
- Flight Inspection Procedures
- Supervisory and Management Principles
- Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Requires study of current electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques, and industry best practices as they apply to consumer and industrial electronics. Newer technologies may not be covered in military training.
- CompTIA Network+60%
Requires study of modern networking concepts, security, cloud infrastructure, and troubleshooting beyond military-specific systems. Focus on commercial technologies and current best practices.
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)75%
Requires knowledge of FCC rules and regulations, as well as detailed understanding of radio theory and practices not specific to military systems.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- ITIL 4 FoundationAdjacent
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/MRN-7 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system | Commercial TACAN systems used at civilian airports for aircraft navigation. | Operations |
| AN/TPN-19 Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) | Commercial Airport Surveillance Radar systems like those from Raytheon or Thales. | Signals |
| AN/GRN-30 Instrument Landing System (ILS) | Civilian Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) used at airports globally, such as those manufactured by Siemens or Indra. | Operations |
| Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR) | Modern digital radar systems for air traffic control, such as those from Searidge Technologies or Saab Sensis. | Signals |
| NAVWAR (Navigation Warfare) equipment | GPS spoofing and anti-jamming systems used in civilian critical infrastructure and defense applications. Examples include products from companies like NovAtel or Raytheon. | Operations |
| Remote Airfield Lighting Control System (RALCS) | Civilian airfield lighting control systems from companies such as ADB Safegate or OCEM Airfield Technology. | Operations |
| Airfield Weather Observing System (AWOS) | Commercial weather observation systems from companies such as Vaisala or Campbell Scientific used at civilian airports. | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1B196 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.