Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific aircraft model training
Live · Guide v1.02E091E · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2E091ECareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2E091E.R.04
2E091E · USAF · EnlistedGround Radar Systems
Ground Radar Systems
Technician.
Air Force 2E091E (Ground Radar Systems Technician). 1,100 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 hours1,100DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or telecommunications.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2E091E 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 2E091E training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Radar Principles and Theory→ Understanding of signal processing and data analysis techniques used in software systems.
- 02Antenna Systems and Waveguides→ Knowledge of network infrastructure and communication protocols.
- 03Transmitter and Receiver Troubleshooting→ Ability to diagnose and resolve issues in complex systems.
- 04Digital Signal Processing→ Skills in data manipulation and analysis, applicable to various software engineering tasks.
- 05Technical Order Interpretation→ Familiarity with technical documentation and the ability to follow detailed instructions.
- 06System Modeling→ Understanding and predicting the behavior of complex systems
- 07Degraded-Mode Operations→ Ability to maintain functionality under less-than-ideal circumstances
- 08Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to adhering to established protocols and regulations
- 09After-Action Analysis→ Systematically evaluating past activities to identify areas for improvement
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+Infrastructure-as-code (IaC) tools like Terraform or Ansible+CI/CD pipeline implementation using Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI+Scripting languages such as Python or Bash+Network security principles and best practices+Security tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and SIEM+Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing techniques+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching)+Network monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump)+Network automation using Python and Ansible
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
- — CompTIA A+ certification
- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., IPC)
- — PLC Knowledge
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$60KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Fiber optic certification
- — Experience with specific telecom equipment brands (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)
Radar Technician
$80KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Experience with specific radar systems used in civilian aviation or weather monitoring
- — Commercial radar certifications
Wind Turbine Technician
$58KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wind turbine safety and maintenance certification
- — Climbing and rescue training
- — Electrical troubleshooting in renewable energy systems
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2E091E training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You used schematics, layout drawings, and pictorial diagrams to understand the structure and function of complex ground radar systems and their subassemblies to troubleshoot and repair them.
Transfers to
This skill translates to understanding and predicting the behavior of complex systems, which is valuable in fields requiring analysis, troubleshooting, and optimization.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained operational readiness by repairing and modifying ground radar systems, even under pressure to meet mission-critical deadlines and maintain system uptime.
Transfers to
The ability to adapt to and maintain functionality under less-than-ideal circumstances is crucial for ensuring business continuity and resilience in challenging environments.
Procedural Compliance
You interpreted maintenance and installation policies, followed technical orders, and adhered to safety standards while installing, repairing, and maintaining ground radar systems.
Transfers to
This demonstrates your commitment to adhering to established protocols and regulations, essential for maintaining quality, safety, and compliance in regulated industries.
After-Action Analysis
You identified maintenance problem areas, initiated corrective actions, and developed methods for improving maintenance effectiveness and efficiency based on past performance and inspection findings.
Transfers to
You can systematically evaluate past activities to identify areas for improvement, optimize processes, and implement preventive measures to enhance future outcomes.
/ 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 49-9099.01You've been installing, maintaining, and repairing complex electronic and mechanical systems, which translates directly to wind turbine maintenance. Your troubleshooting skills and ability to work with schematics will be invaluable in diagnosing and repairing turbine malfunctions.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062.00You're experienced in repairing and maintaining radar subassemblies. You have a strong understanding of electronic systems and troubleshooting, which are key for robotics maintenance and repair. Your ability to interpret technical documents and use test equipment makes you well-suited for this role.
Adjacent · MatchBuilding Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9021.00You've been responsible for maintaining and repairing complex electronic systems. This experience translates well to managing and troubleshooting building automation systems, where you will use your skills in system modeling and troubleshooting to ensure efficient operation.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Ground Radar Systems Apprentice Course
Keesler AFB, MS1,100hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or telecommunications.
Topics · 8
- Radar Principles and Theory
- Ground Radar Systems Maintenance
- Antenna Systems and Waveguides
- Transmitter and Receiver Troubleshooting
- Digital Signal Processing
- Networking and Communications Subsystems
- Radar System Alignment and Calibration
- Technical Order Interpretation
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
While the military training provides extensive knowledge of radar systems, specific civilian electronics standards, troubleshooting techniques, and industry best practices need to be studied to pass the CET exam.
- CompTIA Network+60%
The military training covers a significant portion of networking concepts, but a deeper understanding of civilian networking protocols, security implementations, and troubleshooting methodologies is needed.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- 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 (ASR) | Civilian airport primary radar systems | Signals |
| AN/TPX-42A Interrogator | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponder interrogators | Operations |
| Mark XII Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) | Commercial Air Traffic Control transponders | Operations |
| Video Mapper Systems | Geographic Information System (GIS) software | Operations |
| Ground-to-Air Radio Systems (VHF/UHF) | Commercial aviation radio communication systems | Operations |
| Radar Data Remoting Systems | Real-time data streaming platforms | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2E091E 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.