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USMC · 5914Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.5914.R.04

5914 · USMC · Enlisted

Fire Control
Technician.

Marine Corps 5914 (Fire Control Technician). 560 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$160K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours560DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage3/6direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 5914 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 5914 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have11

01
Digital Logic Circuits→ Understanding of fundamental building blocks of computation
02
Microprocessor Fundamentals→ Knowledge of CPU architecture, memory management, and assembly language concepts
03
Radar Principles→ Signal processing, data interpretation, and pattern recognition
04
Missile Guidance Systems→ Control systems, feedback loops, and precision targeting algorithms
05
Electronic Warfare Systems→ Signal analysis, interference mitigation, and cybersecurity principles
06
Troubleshooting and Maintenance Procedures→ Debugging, diagnostics, and systematic problem-solving
07
Networking Fundamentals→ TCP/IP, routing protocols, and network security concepts
08
System Modeling→ Ability to understand and optimize complex processes, predict outcomes, and troubleshoot effectively.
09
Procedural Compliance→ Meticulous approach to following established protocols, ensuring operational integrity and minimizing risks.
10
Degraded-Mode Operations→ Ability to maintain workflow and rapidly implement back-up plans during system outages or emergencies.
11
Situational Awareness→ Ability to anticipate potential problems, quickly assess their impact, and implement timely solutions to keep projects on track and mitigate risks.

To learn12

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+C/C++ programming+Real-time operating systems (RTOS)+Git version control+Python and pytest+Selenium or Cypress+CI/CD pipelines+Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)+Cloud networking (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Network security protocols+Robotics Operating System (ROS)+Python for robotics+Computer vision and OpenCV

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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5

P.01

Avionics Technician

$75K

High match

High demand

P.02

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

$60K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Specific experience with industrial machinery
— Knowledge of safety standards

P.03

Computer and Information Systems Manager

$160K

Moderate match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
— Master's Degree in IT Management
— Experience with civilian IT infrastructure

P.04

Robotics Technician

$70K

Good match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Robotics certifications (e.g., Robotics Technician Level 1)
— PLC programming

P.05

Aerospace Engineer

$125K

Moderate match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering
— CAD/CAM software proficiency
— Knowledge of aircraft design principles

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 5914 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

As a 5914, you developed comprehensive system models to understand the intricate workings of weapons systems, predicting performance under various conditions and identifying potential vulnerabilities.

Transfers to

This ability to create and utilize system models translates directly to understanding and optimizing complex processes in various industries, enabling you to predict outcomes and troubleshoot effectively.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

Your role demanded strict adherence to complex operational procedures to ensure the safe and effective operation of weapons systems, leaving no room for error.

Transfers to

Your meticulous approach to following established protocols makes you highly valuable in regulated industries where compliance is paramount, ensuring operational integrity and minimizing risks.

S.03

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were trained to maintain system functionality even under stress or partial failure, implementing workaround and fallback plans to keep the system running when components malfunctioned.

Transfers to

This skill translates to an ability to maintain workflow and rapidly implement back-up plans during system outages or emergencies. You are skilled in problem-solving under pressure and minimizing disruption.

S.04

Situational Awareness

You maintained constant awareness of the operational environment, monitoring system status, and responding to unexpected events while operating weapons systems.

Transfers to

This vigilance allows you to anticipate potential problems, quickly assess their impact, and implement timely solutions to keep projects on track and mitigate risks.

/ 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.

Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've been working with complex weapons systems control, so the jump to securing industrial control systems is natural. Your expertise in understanding system vulnerabilities and implementing security protocols is directly transferable, making you a key asset in protecting critical infrastructure.

Adjacent · Match

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've mastered the operation and maintenance of complex, computer-controlled systems. Your skills in diagnostics, repair, and optimization align perfectly with the needs of robotics technicians working in advanced manufacturing or logistics.

Adjacent · Match

Data Center Technician

SOC 15-1299

You're experienced in the operational and administrative aspects of sophisticated technology. As a Data Center Technician, you'll leverage your skills in maintaining complex computer systems and ensuring their continuous operation within a critical infrastructure environment.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy