Ordnance Handling Expert
$65KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial explosives certification
- — HAZMAT certification
Live · Guide v1.05925 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 5925Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.5925.R.04
5925 · USMC · EnlistedAir Defense
Air Defense
Missileer.
Marine Corps 5925 (Air Defense Missileer). 560 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours560DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in Basic Electricity and Electronics, and up to 3 semester hours in Small Arms Theory and Maintenance.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 5925 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 5925 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Rapid Prioritization→ Prioritizing security alerts and incidents
- 02System Modeling→ Understanding complex IT infrastructures
- 03Situational Awareness→ Monitoring network traffic and identifying anomalies
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Following security protocols and maintaining documentation
- 05Degraded-Mode Operations→ Maintaining system functionality during outages or attacks
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux fundamentals+Networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Common security vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Scripting with Python or Bash+Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for data analysis
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.
Security Systems Technician
$60KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Electronic security systems certification
- — Networking fundamentals
- — Programming knowledge
Commercial Fisherman
$45KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial fishing license
- — Navigation skills
- — Boat handling experience
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
$55KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Diesel engine repair certification
- — Hydraulic systems knowledge
- — Welding certification
Defense Contractor Technician
$75KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific weapons systems training (e.g., missile systems)
- — Security clearance
- — Project management
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 5925 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
In a dynamic combat environment, you had to instantly assess threats and prioritize targets based on their potential impact and immediacy.
Transfers to
This translates to the ability to quickly evaluate competing demands and focus your efforts on the most critical tasks, even under pressure.
System Modeling
Operating complex weapon systems requires an understanding of how the different components interact and affect overall performance. You learned to anticipate system behavior under various conditions.
Transfers to
This skill translates into understanding complex processes and predicting how changes in one area will impact others – a key skill in many technical and analytical roles.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to safety protocols and operational procedures was paramount when handling dangerous weapons. You understood the importance of following established guidelines to minimize risk.
Transfers to
This demonstrates a commitment to quality, accuracy, and safety - highly valued in regulated industries and any role demanding precision and consistency.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining constant awareness of your surroundings was crucial for identifying threats and ensuring the safety of yourself and your team. You were trained to anticipate potential dangers and react accordingly.
Transfers to
This translates to strong observational skills, the ability to analyze complex environments, and proactive risk management.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You were trained to maintain system functionality and effectiveness even when equipment malfunctions or resources are limited. Improvisation and problem-solving under pressure were common.
Transfers to
This demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness – the ability to overcome obstacles and maintain performance in challenging circumstances.
/ 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 trained to maintain complex mechanical systems and troubleshoot problems under pressure, skills directly applicable to wind turbine maintenance. Your experience with safety protocols and precision work makes you an ideal candidate.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061You've been trained to adhere to strict procedures and maintain high standards of performance. Your attention to detail and ability to identify deviations from the norm are valuable assets in quality control.
Adjacent · MatchExplosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Technician (Civilian)
SOC 33-2011You've been trained to target and destroy dangerous weapons, which translates well to civilian roles with specialized training that involve disarming and disposing of explosive devices used in terror attacks or industrial accidents.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Gunner Course
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA560hHours
14wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in Basic Electricity and Electronics, and up to 3 semester hours in Small Arms Theory and Maintenance.
Topics · 7
- Stinger Missile System Operation and Maintenance
- Avenger Air Defense System Operation and Maintenance
- Target Identification and Tracking
- Airspace Management
- Electronic Warfare Principles
- Live Fire Exercises
- Tactical Vehicle Operations
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Welder30%
Formal welding techniques, metallurgy, and specific welding processes used in civilian manufacturing and construction.
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry40%
Specific OSHA regulations related to general industry, such as machine guarding, lockout/tagout, and confined space entry.
- EPA Section 608 Technician Certification25%
Understanding of refrigerant types, recovery techniques, and regulations specific to civilian HVAC systems.
Recommended next · 04
- Wind Turbine TechnicianAdjacent
- Power Plant OperatorAdjacent
- Mechatronics TechnicianAdjacent
- Machinist CertificationAdjacent
/ 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/TWQ-1 Avenger Air Defense System | Short-range air defense (SHORAD) missile systems | Operations |
| FIM-92 Stinger Missile System | Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) | Weapons |
| AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar | Air surveillance radar systems | Signals |
| M1097 Avenger HMMWV | Light tactical vehicles with mounted weapon systems | Operations |
| Improved Forward Area Air Defense System (IFAADS) | Integrated air defense management software | Operations |
| AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Device | High-resolution night vision monoculars | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 5925 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.