Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific aircraft model training
Live · Guide v1.02E071B · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2E071BCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2E071B.R.04
2E071B · USAF · EnlistedGround Radar Systems
Ground Radar Systems
Technician.
Air Force 2E071B (Ground Radar Systems Technician). 1,120 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$110K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,120DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or telecommunications.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2E071B 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 2E071B training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have12
- 01Radar Principles and Theory→ Understanding network protocols and data transmission
- 02Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting→ Debugging software and hardware systems
- 03Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance→ Managing network infrastructure and wireless communication systems
- 04Transmitter and Receiver Maintenance→ Working with APIs and data streams
- 05Digital Signal Processing→ Analyzing and processing data
- 06Radar System Calibration and Alignment→ Optimizing system performance
- 07Networking and Communications Subsystems→ Managing network infrastructure
- 08Technical Order Interpretation and Compliance→ Following established procedures and protocols
- 09System Modeling→ Understanding complex systems
- 10Degraded-Mode Operations→ Problem-solving under pressure
- 11Procedural Compliance→ Attention to detail
- 12Situational Awareness→ Vigilance and quick thinking
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes+Infrastructure-as-Code tools (Terraform, Ansible, or Chef)+Monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK stack)+Scripting languages (Python or Bash)+Configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, or Chef)+Network protocols and services (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)+Network security concepts (firewalls, intrusion detection systems)+Cloud networking (VPCs, subnets, security groups)+Cybersecurity fundamentals+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Vulnerability management
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
$68KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — CompTIA A+ certification
- — Industry-specific certifications (e.g., IPC)
- — Experience with specific electronic systems
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Fiber optic splicing certification
- — Experience with current telecom protocols (e.g., 5G)
- — Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco)
Radar Systems Engineer
$110KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- — MATLAB or similar simulation software proficiency
- — Advanced knowledge of radar signal processing
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine safety certification
- — Climbing and rescue certification
- — Experience with industrial control systems
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2E071B training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You use system modeling when troubleshooting complex radar systems, understanding how individual components interact to affect overall system performance, and predicting the impact of repairs or modifications.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems in any field, allowing you to quickly diagnose problems and implement effective solutions.
Degraded-Mode Operations
When radar systems fail, you maintain functionality with limited resources or workarounds. You quickly adapt to less-than-ideal circumstances to ensure mission success, and keep the system operational.
Transfers to
This demonstrates adaptability and problem-solving skills under pressure, valuable in any industry where maintaining operations during disruptions is critical.
Procedural Compliance
You adhere to strict technical orders and safety regulations when installing, maintaining, and repairing radar systems. This ensures quality control, minimizes risks, and maintains consistent performance.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following established procedures and protocols translates to a strong work ethic and attention to detail, essential for ensuring accuracy and safety in highly regulated environments.
Situational Awareness
You constantly monitor the status of radar systems, environmental conditions, and operational requirements to anticipate potential problems and proactively address them, maintaining optimal system performance.
Transfers to
This showcases your ability to perceive and understand the environment around you, anticipate potential issues, and make informed decisions in dynamic situations. Excellent for any role requiring vigilance and quick thinking.
/ 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.
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been working with complex electromechanical systems that need careful installation, maintenance, and repair. Wind turbines are similar in that they require a thorough understanding of electrical and mechanical components, troubleshooting skills, and the ability to work in challenging environmental conditions. Your experience with radar systems gives you a solid foundation for this exciting renewable energy field.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've been troubleshooting and repairing sophisticated radar systems, so you already have the skills to diagnose and fix complex automated machinery. As a robotics technician, you'll apply your skills to maintain and repair robots used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries. Your military experience provides a great foundation for a smooth transition into this growing field.
Adjacent · MatchBuilding Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9012You're adept at installing, maintaining, and repairing complex electronic systems. Building automation systems are networks of interconnected devices that control lighting, HVAC, security, and other building functions. Your ability to troubleshoot and repair radar systems makes you well-equipped to maintain and optimize these automated building environments.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Ground Radar Systems Maintenance Training
Keesler AFB, MS1,120hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or telecommunications.
Topics · 8
- Radar Principles and Theory
- Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting
- Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance
- Transmitter and Receiver Maintenance
- Digital Signal Processing
- Radar System Calibration and Alignment
- Networking and Communications Subsystems
- Technical Order Interpretation and Compliance
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Requires study of specific electronics theories not explicitly covered, and hands-on practice with a broader range of electronic components and troubleshooting techniques.
- CompTIA Network+60%
While familiar with network concepts, study current networking technologies, protocols, and security best practices. Focus on areas like network segmentation, cloud networking, and network automation.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30%
Requires extensive study in all 8 domains of information security, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management (IAM), security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- CCNP EnterpriseAdjacent
/ 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 | Signals |
| AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance Radar | Commercial airport radar systems | Signals |
| IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Systems | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponders | Operations |
| ATC Automation Systems (e.g., STARS) | Air Traffic Management (ATM) software suites | Operations |
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central | Mobile air traffic control towers | Operations |
| Ground-to-Air Radio Systems (VHF/UHF) | Commercial aviation radio communication systems | Operations |
| Radar Test Sets (e.g., AN/USM-406) | RF signal generators and spectrum analyzers | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2E071B 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.