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USMC · 2813Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2813.R.04

2813 · USMC · Enlisted

Telephone Systems
Technician.

Marine Corps 2813 (Telephone Systems Technician). 640 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$88K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours640DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in telecommunications technology

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/5direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 2813 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 2813 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have08

01
Telephone Switching Systems Fundamentals→ Network Protocols
02
Fiber Optics Installation and Maintenance→ Network Cabling and Infrastructure
03
Network Troubleshooting and Diagnostics→ System Monitoring and Alerting
04
Cryptographic equipment installation and maintenance→ Security Fundamentals
05
System Modeling→ System Design and Architecture
06
Rapid Prioritization→ Incident Response
07
Procedural Compliance→ Change Management
08
Situational Awareness→ Risk Management

To learn04

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification+Linux server administration basics+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5

P.01

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K

High match

Stable demand

P.02

Network and Computer Systems Administrator

$88K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
— Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

P.03

Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

$60K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— PLC Programming
— Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

P.04

Security Systems Installer

$55K

Moderate match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Security+ Certification
— Knowledge of IP Networking

P.05

Avionics Technician

$72K

Moderate match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— FAA certification
— Aircraft-specific training

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 2813 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

Troubleshooting complex communication networks requires understanding how different components interact and predicting the impact of changes or failures on the overall system.

Transfers to

The ability to visualize and understand complex systems, predict outcomes based on various inputs, and identify potential points of failure.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

Responding to equipment failures and network outages demands quick assessment of the situation, determining the most critical issues, and allocating resources to restore essential services first.

Transfers to

The capability to quickly assess the urgency and importance of tasks, prioritize actions based on impact, and effectively manage time and resources under pressure.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict protocols for installation, maintenance, and repair of communication equipment to ensure network integrity, security, and safety is paramount.

Transfers to

The discipline to follow established procedures and guidelines meticulously, ensuring consistent quality, safety, and adherence to regulations.

S.04

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of network status, potential threats, and environmental factors that could impact communication infrastructure is essential for proactive maintenance and rapid response to emergencies.

Transfers to

The ability to monitor and interpret real-time information, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding environment.

/ 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.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9012.00

As a 2813, you've been working with complex networks of communication equipment. Building automation systems involve integrating various building systems (HVAC, lighting, security) into a unified network. Your experience in installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting makes you a great fit.

Adjacent · Match

SCADA Systems Technician

SOC 17-3029.08

Your experience working with communication networks translates directly to SCADA systems, which are used to control and monitor industrial processes. You've been installing, setting up, and troubleshooting communication equipment - skills that are directly applicable here. Your analytical skills will be valuable in identifying and resolving system issues.

Adjacent · Match

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9081.00

You've been installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting communication equipment, and wind turbines contain complex electrical and communication systems. Your existing skills in working with electrical systems, understanding schematics, and performing maintenance will be directly transferable to this role. You're already comfortable with heights and working in challenging conditions.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy