Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
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ARMY · 26KCareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.26K.R.04
26K · ARMY · EnlistedAerial Electronic Warning/Defense Equipment
Aerial Electronic Warning/Defense Equipment
Repairer.
Army 26K (Aerial Electronic Warning/Defense Equipment Repairer). 920 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $62K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours920DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or avionics maintenance
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 26K 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 26K training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Maintenance and Troubleshooting→ Network Security Monitoring
- 02Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Operational Checks→ Security Vulnerability Assessments
- 03System Modeling→ Infrastructure Design
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Change Management
- 05Resource Optimization→ Cost Management
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Network security tools (e.g., Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit)+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) basics+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)+Network protocols and architectures+Routing and switching fundamentals+Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for database querying
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.
Electronics Technician
$68KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)
- — Experience with specific electronic systems used in civilian applications
Radar Technician
$78KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific radar system certifications
- — Familiarity with civilian air traffic control or weather radar systems
Maintenance Supervisor
$85KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
- — Experience with civilian maintenance management software
Quality Control Inspector
$62KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Six Sigma certification
- — Industry-specific quality control standards (e.g., ISO 9001)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 26K training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As an Aerial Electronic Warning/Defense Equipment Repairer, you developed strong system modeling skills by diagnosing and repairing complex electronic systems. You understand how different components interact within a larger system, allowing you to predict how changes in one area will affect others.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to civilian roles where you need to analyze and improve system performance, predict potential problems, and design solutions.
Procedural Compliance
Your role requires strict adherence to maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and technical documentation. You understand the importance of following established processes to ensure accuracy, safety, and equipment reliability.
Transfers to
This meticulous approach to procedural compliance is highly valued in civilian industries that demand precision and accountability, such as manufacturing, engineering, and quality assurance.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You're skilled in troubleshooting and repairing equipment under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You're adept at finding solutions to keep systems operational even when things aren't perfect.
Transfers to
This ability to adapt and perform under challenging conditions is valuable in any civilian role that requires problem-solving and resilience, particularly in fields like IT support, technical services, and emergency response.
Resource Optimization
As a supervisor, you managed supplies, repair parts, and personnel to ensure efficient maintenance operations. You understand how to allocate resources effectively to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
Transfers to
This experience in resource optimization is applicable to civilian roles in operations management, logistics, and project management, where you'll be responsible for ensuring resources are used efficiently to achieve organizational goals.
After-Action Analysis
You've participated in evaluations and reports on maintenance operations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending changes to procedures and policies. You're skilled at analyzing data and providing constructive feedback to enhance performance.
Transfers to
This analytical mindset is valuable in civilian roles that require continuous improvement, such as quality control, process improvement, and data analysis.
/ 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.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041.00You've been working on complex electronic and mechanical systems. As an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, you'll use those same skills to keep factory equipment running smoothly. Your troubleshooting abilities and understanding of system interactions will be invaluable.
Adjacent · MatchCalibration Technician
SOC 49-9061.00You're experienced in using special test equipment to ensure electronic systems meet required specifications. As a Calibration Technician, you'll apply this knowledge to calibrate and maintain precision instruments used in various industries, from aerospace to pharmaceuticals.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9081.00You have experience with complex electronic and mechanical systems, diagnostics, and maintenance. Wind turbines incorporate both, and are in high demand. You'll be able to apply your skills to troubleshoot and repair turbine systems, contributing to renewable energy production.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Avionics and Survivability Equipment Repairer Course
Fort Eustis, VA920hHours
23wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or avionics maintenance
Topics · 8
- Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Overview
- Principles of Electronic Countermeasures (ECM)
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- Infrared (IR) Countermeasures System Maintenance
- Laser Warning System (LWS) Maintenance
- Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Operational Checks
- Use of Special Test and Diagnostic Equipment (STDE)
- Component-level Repair of Avionics Systems
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Civilian electronics standards, troubleshooting techniques specific to commercial equipment, and current industry best practices.
- CompTIA A+60%
Focus on current PC hardware, operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), networking fundamentals, and mobile devices.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Six Sigma Black BeltAdjacent
- DoD 8570 IAM Level II certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ CE, CCNA Security)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) | Aircraft self-protection systems, including radar warning receivers, laser warning receivers, and missile approach warning systems | Aviation |
| AN/ALQ-211 SIRFC (Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures) | Advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems, including radar jammers and deception systems | Operations |
| AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) | Commercial radar detectors and early warning systems | Signals |
| AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) | Civilian aircraft missile defense systems (DIRCM - Directional Infrared Countermeasures) | Networking |
| Special Test and Diagnostic Equipment (STDE) | Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for electronics troubleshooting | Operations |
| Optical/Laser Systems (e.g., for targeting or countermeasures) | Industrial laser alignment and measurement systems | Operations |
| Infrared Countermeasures Equipment | Industrial thermal imaging and infrared analysis equipment | Operations |
| AVIM (Aviation Intermediate Maintenance) processes | MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) operations within aviation | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 26K 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.