Ordnance Handling Expert
$65KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — HAZMAT certification
- — Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Live · Guide v1.05928 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 5928Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.5928.R.04
5928 · USMC · EnlistedAir Defense Missile
Air Defense Missile
Officer.
Marine Corps 5928 (Air Defense Missile Officer). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $52K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in Military Science
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 5928 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 5928 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Communications Procedures→ Networking Fundamentals
- 02Maintenance and Troubleshooting Procedures→ System Diagnostics and Repair
- 03Operating weapons targeting, firing, and launch computer systems→ Scripting and Automation
- 04Air Defense Systems Overview→ System architecture design
- 05Procedural Compliance→ GRC Analyst
- 06Situational Awareness→ SOC Analyst
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible, or Chef)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)+Linux server administration+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash)+Data modeling+Business intelligence software (Tableau, Looker, Power BI)
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.
Weapons Systems Technician
$72KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific manufacturer certifications (e.g., Raytheon, Lockheed Martin)
- — Advanced electronics troubleshooting
Avionics Technician
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certification
- — Aircraft-specific training
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
$58KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Welding certification
- — Hydraulics and pneumatics training
- — Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) knowledge
Quality Control Inspector
$52KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Six Sigma certification
- — ISO 9000 auditing
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 5928 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a 5928, you understood complex weapons systems, including how different components interact to achieve a desired outcome. You could diagnose malfunctions by tracing the flow of energy or data through the system.
Transfers to
This ability to grasp complex systems and their interdependencies translates directly to understanding and troubleshooting complex civilian systems, like manufacturing processes, supply chains, or IT networks.
Procedural Compliance
Your role demanded strict adherence to safety protocols and operating procedures when handling and maintaining dangerous weaponry. Deviations could have catastrophic consequences, so precision and discipline were paramount.
Transfers to
This rigorous approach to following procedures is highly valuable in regulated industries where safety and compliance are critical, such as pharmaceuticals, aviation, or nuclear energy.
Situational Awareness
You constantly assessed your surroundings, monitoring for potential threats, equipment malfunctions, or changes in the environment that could impact mission success. This involved integrating information from multiple sources and anticipating potential problems.
Transfers to
Your ability to maintain a broad awareness of your environment and anticipate potential issues makes you well-suited for roles requiring vigilance and proactive problem-solving, such as risk management, security, or emergency response.
Resource Optimization
Effectively managing resources like ammunition, spare parts, and maintenance schedules was crucial for ensuring operational readiness. You had to make informed decisions about how to allocate resources to maximize effectiveness and minimize waste.
Transfers to
This skill in maximizing resource utilization translates seamlessly to civilian roles that demand efficiency and cost-effectiveness, such as logistics management, supply chain optimization, or project management.
/ 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 Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You've been maintaining complex weapons systems, troubleshooting malfunctions, and adhering to strict maintenance schedules. This experience directly translates to working on industrial machinery, where precision and reliability are equally crucial. You already possess the aptitude for understanding mechanical systems and a dedication to keeping them running smoothly.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041You've been immersed in procedural compliance and safety regulations related to weapons systems. You understand the importance of following protocols to prevent accidents and maintain operational integrity. As a Compliance Officer, you'll apply this knowledge to ensure a company adheres to industry regulations and internal policies, mitigating risk and promoting ethical conduct.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081You've been managing resources, tracking inventory, and coordinating the movement of ammunition and equipment. This experience gives you a solid foundation in logistics principles. You'll be able to use your analytical skills to optimize supply chains, reduce costs, and improve efficiency for a variety of organizations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Leadership Course
Fort Sill, OK480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in Military Science
Topics · 8
- Air Defense Systems Overview
- Missile and Ammunition Handling Procedures
- Radar and Sensor Operation
- Tactical Employment of Air Defense Weapons
- Communications Procedures
- Maintenance and Troubleshooting Procedures
- Fire Control Principles
- Airspace Management
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60%
Requires study of general electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques, and specific electronic components not covered in detail in weapons systems.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Formal project management methodologies, documentation, and stakeholder management best practices need to be studied.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
/ 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/AWG-9 Weapon Control System (WCS) | Integrated Mission System (IMS) for law enforcement and emergency response aircraft | Weapons |
| Common Munitions Bit/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) | Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for aerospace component diagnostics | Networking |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Commercial fire control system | Operations |
| Joint Effects Model (JEM) | Engineering simulation software | Operations |
| Target Handoff System version 2 (THS v2) | Geospatial intelligence software | Operations |
| Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) | Surveying equipment | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 5928 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.