Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.02E192 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 2E192Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.2E192.R.04
2E192 · USAF · EnlistedAirfield Systems
Airfield Systems
Specialist.
Air Force 2E192 (Airfield Systems Specialist). 1,120 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,120DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or telecommunications
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 2E192 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 2E192 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01Airfield Systems Maintenance→ Troubleshooting and diagnostics of complex systems
- 02Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance→ Understanding of network infrastructure and wireless communication principles
- 03Flight Inspection Procedures→ Quality assurance and system validation
- 04Preventive Maintenance and Safety Procedures→ Risk management and compliance
- 05System Modeling→ Understanding complex systems and predicting outcomes.
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Meticulous approach to following protocols and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- 07Situational Awareness→ Ability to assess situations quickly, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure.
- 08Degraded-Mode Operations→ Maintaining equipment, even when damaged, and making quick decisions when time and resources are sparse.
To learn07
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, or Chef)+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash)+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools
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
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)
- — PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) knowledge
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$60KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)
- — Fiber optic cabling and testing
Wind Turbine Technician
$58KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Safety training for wind turbines
- — Mechanical repair skills
- — Climbing certification
First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
$78KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — Leadership training
- — OSHA safety standards
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 2E192 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Airfield Systems specialists analyze complex systems of meteorological, navigational, and air traffic control equipment. They diagnose malfunctions by understanding how different components interact and predict the impact of repairs or modifications on overall system performance.
Transfers to
This skill translates to an ability to understand and troubleshoot complex systems, predict outcomes based on changes, and optimize performance in various technical environments.
Procedural Compliance
This role demands strict adherence to maintenance management publications, procedures, and safety standards. Airfield Systems specialists ensure compliance with technical directives and inspection findings to maintain operational readiness and safety.
Transfers to
Your meticulous approach to following protocols and ensuring regulatory compliance is invaluable in industries where precision and safety are paramount.
Situational Awareness
These specialists need to maintain a constant awareness of the status of airfield systems, environmental conditions, and potential threats to ensure safe and efficient air traffic control operations. They interpret inspection findings and predict potential equipment failures.
Transfers to
Your ability to assess situations quickly, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure is highly transferable to dynamic and critical environments.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Airfield Systems specialists are skilled at maintaining critical systems, even when they are damaged, or when resources are scarce. They have to be able to troubleshoot and repair equipment efficiently under pressure, and be able to make quick decisions about the right courses of action under stress.
Transfers to
Your experience of maintaining equipment, even when damaged, and making quick decisions when time and resources are sparse, will make you a valuable asset in high-pressure situations.
/ 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 maintaining complex electronic and mechanical systems in challenging environments, similar to the work required on wind turbines. Your experience in diagnosing and repairing equipment, coupled with your understanding of safety protocols, makes you an ideal candidate for this growing field.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041.00You're adept at troubleshooting and repairing complex systems. Your experience in diagnosing malfunctions, interpreting technical specifications, and ensuring compliance with safety standards directly translates to the skills needed to maintain and repair industrial machinery.
Adjacent · MatchCalibration Technician
SOC 49-9061.00You've honed your skills in performing operational tests, adjusting and aligning equipment, and evaluating results to ensure proper system operation. Your meticulous approach and understanding of technical specifications make you well-suited for calibrating precision instruments and equipment.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Airfield Systems Apprentice Course
Keesler AFB, MS1,120hHours
28wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or telecommunications
Topics · 8
- Airfield Navigation Aids (NAVAIDs) Theory and Maintenance
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) Radio Systems Maintenance
- Meteorological Equipment Maintenance
- Ground-to-Air Communication Systems
- Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance
- Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting
- Flight Inspection Procedures
- Preventive Maintenance and Safety Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Requires study of broader electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques outside of specific Airfield Systems equipment, and FCC regulations.
- Certified Test Technician (CTT)60%
Requires additional study of advanced test equipment, data analysis, and statistical process control related to testing and quality assurance.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Senior Electronics Technician (CSET)Adjacent
- CompTIA Network+Adjacent
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control SpecialistAdjacent
/ 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/TRN-26 TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation System) | DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) and VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) systems | Operations |
| AN/MRN-68 VORTAC (VHF Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation) | Combined VOR/DME ground stations for civilian aviation | Operations |
| AN/GRN-29 ILS (Instrument Landing System) | Commercial ILS systems at airports | Operations |
| DABS (Direct Access Beacon System)/Mode S | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems | Operations |
| NAVAID Flight Inspection Systems | FAA flight inspection aircraft equipped with specialized testing equipment | Operations |
| TMAS (Technical Maintenance Analysis System) | Predictive maintenance software for infrastructure and equipment | Operations |
| Airfield Lighting Systems (e.g., MALSR, ALSF-2) | Airport lighting systems | Operations |
| AN/FMQ-19 Automated Meteorological Observing System (AMOS) | Automated Weather Stations (AWS) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 2E192 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.