Live · Guide v1.05942 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active

Home/Career Guides/5942

USMC · 5942Career Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.5942.R.04

5942 · USMC · Enlisted

Aviation Radar
Repairer.

Marine Corps 5942 (Aviation Radar Repairer). 840 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours840DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/5direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 5942 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 5942 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have04

01
AN/TPS-63B Radar System Maintenance→ Troubleshooting complex systems
02
Electronic Troubleshooting Techniques→ Diagnosing and resolving technical issues
03
Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to established processes and standards
04
System Modeling→ Understanding how different parts of a system interact

To learn05

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

+Linux system administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, or Puppet)+Containerization technologies (Docker and Kubernetes)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems

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

Skills to develop

— FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

P.02

Electronics Technician

$65K

High match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Experience with specific industry equipment
— IPC certification

P.03

Radar Technician

$78K

High match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Specific certifications related to civilian radar systems (e.g., weather radar)
— Familiarity with FAA regulations

P.04

Field Service Engineer

$72K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— Strong customer service skills
— Project Management

P.05

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Climbing certification
— Experience with hydraulics
— Electrical troubleshooting skills

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 5942 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

As an aviation radar repairer, you built mental models of complex radar systems to diagnose and repair faults, understanding how different components interact to achieve overall system functionality.

Transfers to

This ability to understand complex systems translates to designing and troubleshooting intricate processes or technologies in various industries.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

Your role demanded strict adherence to maintenance procedures and safety protocols when working with sensitive and potentially hazardous radar equipment.

Transfers to

This meticulous approach ensures accuracy and safety, valuable in fields requiring adherence to regulations and quality standards.

S.03

Degraded-Mode Operations

When radar systems experienced failures or operated in degraded modes, you were responsible for quickly assessing the impact and implementing workaround solutions to maintain operational readiness.

Transfers to

This capacity to adapt and find solutions under pressure is essential in environments where unexpected problems can disrupt normal operations.

S.04

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of the operational environment and understanding how radar systems contribute to overall air defense was crucial for effective maintenance and support.

Transfers to

This broad perspective and understanding of interconnected systems are valuable for strategic planning and decision-making in various organizational settings.

/ 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 Technician

SOC 49-2093.00

You've been working with complex electronic systems and troubleshooting them under pressure. This role uses similar skills to maintain and repair automated systems in manufacturing, energy, and other industries.

Adjacent · Match

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've honed your technical skills maintaining sophisticated radar systems. As a wind turbine technician, you'll apply those skills to ensure the reliable operation of wind turbines, diagnosing and repairing electrical and mechanical issues. Your experience with safety protocols and problem-solving in challenging environments will be a great asset.

Adjacent · Match

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9021.00

You're skilled in troubleshooting complex electronic equipment and understanding integrated systems. As a building automation systems technician, you'll apply these skills to maintain and repair the systems that control heating, cooling, lighting, and security in commercial buildings. You will diagnose and fix issues, optimizing building performance and energy efficiency.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy