Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Aircraft-specific training
Live · Guide v1.024K · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/24K
ARMY · 24KCareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.24K.R.04
24K · ARMY · EnlistedHAWK Radar
HAWK Radar
Repairer.
Army 24K (HAWK Radar Repairer). 840 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$82K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours840DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended for lower-division baccalaureate study in electronics engineering technology.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 24K 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 24K training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Radar system maintenance→ Troubleshooting complex systems
- 02Electronic test equipment→ Software debugging and diagnostics
- 03Quality control procedures→ Ensuring software quality and reliability
- 04System Modeling→ Understanding complex systems
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Meticulous execution and consistent results
- 06Resource Optimization→ Improving operational efficiency
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux fundamentals+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, or Puppet)+Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes+Cybersecurity fundamentals+Network security principles+Data analysis and visualization+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
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.
Radar Technician
$82KHigh match
Growing demand
Electronics Engineering Technician
$70KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in electronics technology
- — CAD/CAM software proficiency
Industrial Maintenance Technician
$60KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) certification
- — Experience with specific industrial equipment
Quality Control Inspector
$55KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ISO 9001 certification
- — Six Sigma training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 24K training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You built and maintained complex radar systems, understanding how individual components interacted to achieve overall system functionality. You could trace signal flow, diagnose faults, and predict the impact of changes.
Transfers to
This skill translates directly into understanding complex business processes, software architectures, or financial models. You can visualize interconnected systems, identify bottlenecks, and propose improvements.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained radar systems that had to function under less-than-ideal conditions. You developed workarounds, performed emergency repairs, and kept systems operational with limited resources and partial failures.
Transfers to
This experience demonstrates your ability to maintain productivity and effectiveness during crises, navigate uncertainty, and find solutions when resources are scarce. You are adept at improvising and adapting to unforeseen circumstances.
Procedural Compliance
You followed detailed maintenance procedures, adhered to strict quality control standards, and meticulously documented your work to ensure the reliability and safety of critical radar systems.
Transfers to
This background shows your commitment to precision, accuracy, and adherence to regulations. You excel in environments that demand meticulous execution and consistent results.
Resource Optimization
As a supervisor, you managed resources—personnel, equipment, and time—to maximize the efficiency of maintenance operations. You allocated tasks, scheduled maintenance, and ensured the availability of necessary tools and materials.
Transfers to
You have demonstrated the ability to allocate resources effectively, streamline processes, and improve operational efficiency. You can identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to optimize productivity.
/ 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.
Manufacturing Process Engineer
SOC 17-2112.00You've been responsible for maintaining complex radar systems, a role requiring you to diagnose faults, perform repairs, and optimize system performance. This experience directly translates into overseeing and improving manufacturing processes, ensuring efficient production, and resolving technical issues.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00Your adherence to strict procedures and quality control standards in maintaining radar systems aligns perfectly with the meticulous nature of compliance work. You've proven your ability to follow regulations, document processes accurately, and ensure adherence to legal and ethical standards, essential for maintaining organizational integrity.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer (Industrial)
SOC 25-9041.00You've not only maintained radar systems but also supervised teams and conducted OJT programs. This demonstrates your capacity to translate complex technical information into understandable training materials, making you an ideal candidate to train employees on new technologies and maintenance procedures within industrial settings.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
HAWK Phase II Continuous Wave Radar Repairer Course
Fort Sill, OK840hHours
21wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended for lower-division baccalaureate study in electronics engineering technology.
Topics · 8
- Basic Electronics Theory
- HAWK Missile System Overview
- Continuous Wave Radar Principles
- High Power Illuminator Radar (HIPIR) Maintenance
- Radar System Troubleshooting
- Use of Electronic Test Equipment
- Component Replacement Procedures
- Quality Control Procedures
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Study general electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques outside of radar systems, and the specific CET exam topics.
- CompTIA Network+40%
Focus on network protocols, topologies, security, and troubleshooting techniques not specific to radar systems. The military training provides a solid foundation in electronics, but networking fundamentals need to be supplemented.
- Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)30%
This role involves maintenance supervision. Focus on the five pillars of the CMRP (Business & Management, Manufacturing Process Reliability, Equipment Reliability, Organization & Leadership, Work Management) to bridge the gap.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Six Sigma Black BeltAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HAWK Phase II Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (CWAR) | Continuous Wave Radar systems used in weather forecasting and air traffic control | Signals |
| High Power Illuminator Radar (HIPIR) | High-powered radar systems used in industrial process control and scientific research | Signals |
| Support Maintenance Test Equipment (SMTE) Shop 3 | Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems used in electronics manufacturing and repair | Operations |
| Mobile Team Shop (MTS) | Mobile repair and maintenance workshops (e.g., for heavy equipment or telecommunications infrastructure) | Operations |
| Standard Test Equipment (STE) | General-purpose electronic test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, signal generators, multimeters) | Operations |
| HAWK Missile System Peculiar Test Equipment | Specialized diagnostic and testing equipment for complex electronic systems | Weapons |
| Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMS) | Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) like SAP or Maximo | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 24K 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.