Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.02E031E · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2E031ECareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2E031E.R.04
2E031E · USAF · EnlistedGround Radar Systems
Ground Radar Systems
Technician.
Air Force 2E031E (Ground Radar Systems Technician). 1,360 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$80K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,360DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 20 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and telecommunications.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2E031E 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 2E031E training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Radar Principles and Theory→ Understanding of network protocols and communication systems.
- 02Electronic Troubleshooting→ Debugging and problem-solving skills applicable to software and infrastructure.
- 03Digital Logic Circuits→ Understanding of computer architecture and digital systems.
- 04Test Equipment Usage (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers)→ Using monitoring and diagnostic tools to identify and resolve issues.
- 05Technical Order Interpretation→ Ability to follow technical documentation and procedures.
- 06System Modeling→ Analyzing and optimizing business processes and IT infrastructures.
- 07Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to protocols and ensuring quality and consistency.
- 08Degraded-Mode Operations→ Problem-solving and maintaining service in challenging circumstances.
- 09Situational Awareness→ Anticipating potential issues and making informed decisions in dynamic environments.
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration fundamentals+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) basics+Containerization with Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, Puppet)+Infrastructure-as-code (IaC) using Terraform or CloudFormation+Scripting languages such as Python or Bash+Security information and event management (SIEM) systems+Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools (e.g., Nessus, Metasploit)+Network security principles and technologies (firewalls, intrusion detection systems)+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching)+Network monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump)+Network security protocols (e.g., VPN, SSH, TLS)
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
$65KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, CET)
- — Familiarity with specific industry regulations
Radar Technician
$80KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific radar system training
- — Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) if relocation is needed
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$68KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Fiber optic certification
- — Networking certifications (e.g., CCNA)
Wind Turbine Technician
$58KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Safety training (OSHA 10/30)
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Wind turbine-specific technical training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2E031E training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You used layout drawings, schematics, and pictorial diagrams to understand the structure and function of complex ground radar systems, allowing you to diagnose and repair malfunctions efficiently.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates to analyzing and optimizing business processes, IT infrastructures, or even financial models in the civilian sector.
Procedural Compliance
You consistently adhered to technical orders, safety standards, and maintenance procedures when installing, repairing, and maintaining ground radar systems.
Transfers to
Your dedication to following established procedures ensures safety, quality, and consistency, which is crucial in regulated industries or any role requiring strict adherence to protocols.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained and repaired critical radar systems even under pressure, quickly isolating malfunctions and implementing effective solutions in challenging environments.
Transfers to
Your experience in maintaining operational readiness, even when things aren't perfect, means you thrive when problem-solving and maintaining service in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Situational Awareness
You coordinated with various agencies and assessed the operational environment to ensure that ground radar systems met performance standards.
Transfers to
Your heightened awareness allows you to anticipate potential issues, adapt to changing conditions, and make informed decisions, which are invaluable in dynamic and complex environments.
/ 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 installing, repairing, and maintaining complex electronic systems. Your skills in troubleshooting, using schematics, and ensuring precise functionality are directly transferable to the robotics field, where you'll work on automated systems in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9099You're skilled in installing, maintaining, and repairing sophisticated equipment. Your background in radar systems translates well to wind turbines, where you'll be responsible for ensuring the reliability and optimal performance of these renewable energy systems, often working at remote sites and under challenging conditions, something you're already familiar with.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Assurance Analyst
SOC 19-4041You've developed a keen eye for detail by inspecting, testing, and evaluating ground radar systems. This expertise will serve you well as a Quality Assurance Analyst, where you'll ensure products and processes meet stringent quality standards, identifying defects and implementing corrective actions to improve overall quality and reliability.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Ground Radar Systems Maintenance Technical Training
Keesler AFB, MS1,360hHours
34wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 20 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and telecommunications.
Topics · 8
- Radar Principles and Theory
- Electronic Troubleshooting
- Digital Logic Circuits
- Radar System Components (Transmitters, Receivers, Antennas)
- Ground Radar System Operation and Maintenance (specific systems like AN/TPS-75)
- Test Equipment Usage (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers)
- Technical Order Interpretation
- Safety Procedures for Radar Systems
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Requires studying specific electronics topics like analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, and troubleshooting techniques not explicitly covered in the provided description. Also requires passing the ETA CET exam.
- CompTIA Network+50%
Requires focused study on modern networking concepts, security protocols, cloud networking, and network troubleshooting tools. The description highlights radar-specific systems, but the candidate will need to broaden their knowledge of general networking for this certification.
Recommended next · 03
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)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/TPS-75 Radar | Long-range air surveillance radar systems used in civilian air traffic control | Signals |
| AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) | Commercial airport radar systems for aircraft detection and tracking | Signals |
| Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Systems | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponders used in commercial aviation | Operations |
| Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR) | FAA radar systems for en route air traffic control | Signals |
| Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR-88D) | NEXRAD (Next-Generation Radar) systems for weather forecasting and monitoring | Signals |
| Ground-to-Air Radio Communication Systems | VHF/UHF radio systems used by air traffic controllers and pilots | Networking |
| Radar Data Remoting Systems | Remote monitoring and control software for industrial radar applications | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2E031E 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.