Machinist
$55KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.02A791 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2A791Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2A791.R.04
2A791 · USAF · EnlistedMetals Technology
Metals Technology
Specialist.
Air Force 2A791 (Metals Technology Specialist). 1,120 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $48K–$70K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,120DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Manufacturing Technology and Welding Technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2A791 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 2A791 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01CNC Programming→ Scripting (e.g., Python, Bash)
- 02CAD/CAM Software (AutoDesk, SolidWorks, Mastercam)→ Infrastructure-as-Code Tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
- 03System Modeling→ Infrastructure Design and Optimization
- 04Procedural Compliance (Lockout/Tagout, Aerospace Materials)→ Security Protocols and Compliance Standards
- 05HAZMAT Tracking System→ Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
To learn06
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux fundamentals+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes basics+Programming fundamentals in Python or JavaScript+Cybersecurity fundamentals and network security+Test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JUnit)
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.
Welder
$48KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific welding certifications (e.g., AWS)
- — Specialized welding techniques
CNC Programmer
$70KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced CAM software training
- — Specific CNC machine certifications
Aerospace Technician
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Aircraft-specific maintenance training
Quality Control Inspector
$50KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certification
- — Knowledge of industry-specific quality standards
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2A791 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You create mental models of complex aerospace systems to diagnose issues and fabricate precise components, understanding how each part interacts within the larger mechanism.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand intricate systems translates to designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex processes in various industries.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to technical manuals, safety protocols (lock out/tag out), and environmental regulations is paramount in your role, ensuring quality and preventing accidents.
Transfers to
Your dedication to following detailed procedures and safety standards makes you ideal for roles requiring precision and risk mitigation.
Resource Optimization
You efficiently manage materials, tools, and machinery to minimize waste and maximize productivity while crafting and repairing aerospace components.
Transfers to
This talent for efficient resource management is highly valuable in any field requiring cost-effectiveness and streamlined operations.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You can adapt and improvise solutions when faced with broken equipment, material shortages, or incomplete schematics, ensuring critical tasks are completed.
Transfers to
Your experience thriving under pressure and finding creative solutions in challenging environments is highly sought after in dynamic and unpredictable fields.
/ 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.
Robotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've been designing, fabricating, and repairing intricate mechanical systems. This directly translates to maintaining and troubleshooting robotic systems used in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics. Your CNC programming skills are also highly valuable.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Engineer
SOC 17-2111You've been meticulously inspecting and measuring components to ensure they meet strict specifications. Your experience with precision measuring devices and your understanding of aerospace standards make you a natural fit for ensuring product quality in manufacturing.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been working with complex mechanical systems and using your fabrication skills to build/repair parts. The maintenance and repair of wind turbines require these skills. Your experience with safety protocols is also valuable in this industry.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Designer
SOC 27-1021You've been designing and manufacturing precision tools and components. Your CAD/CAM experience and metalworking expertise gives you a head start in designing functional and aesthetically pleasing industrial products.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Metals Technology Course
Sheppard AFB, TX1,120hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in Manufacturing Technology and Welding Technology
Topics · 8
- Basic Metals Technology Principles
- Welding Techniques (GTAW, SMAW, GMAW)
- Precision Measurement and Inspection
- Manual Machining Operations (Lathe, Mill)
- CNC Programming and Operation
- CAD/CAM Fundamentals
- Heat Treatment Processes
- Aerospace Materials and Applications
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)60%
Requires study of specific welding codes (AWS, ASME, API), advanced non-destructive testing methods, and quality assurance principles.
- Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP)40%
Requires focused training and practice on advanced SolidWorks features, simulation tools, and specific design scenarios for the certification exam.
- National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Machining Level I70%
Requires knowledge of specific NIMS standards, materials science, and possibly hands-on testing depending on the credential.
Recommended next · 03
- AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE)Adjacent
- ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT)Adjacent
- CAM/CIP ProgramAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HAZMAT Tracking System | Chemical inventory management software | Operations |
| CNC Mills and Lathes | Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machines | Operations |
| Welding Equipment (GTAW, GMAW, SMAW) | TIG, MIG, and Stick Welding Equipment | Operations |
| CAD/CAM Software | AutoDesk, SolidWorks, Mastercam | Operations |
| Precision Measuring Equipment (Calipers, Micrometers, Gauges) | Calipers, Micrometers, Gauges | Operations |
| Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures | OSHA Lockout/Tagout Procedures | Operations |
| Aerospace Materials Specifications | SAE International Standards | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2A791 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.