Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.05944 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 5944Career Guide · Aviation · VWC.CG.5944.R.04
5944 · USMC · EnlistedAviation Radar
Aviation Radar
Repairer.
Marine Corps 5944 (Aviation Radar Repairer). 840 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours840DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 5944 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 5944 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Radar Principles and Operation→ Understanding of networking protocols and data transmission
- 02System Modeling→ Ability to visualize and understand complex systems and their interactions
- 03Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures→ Diagnosing and resolving issues in software and hardware systems
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to established processes and protocols for maintaining system integrity
- 05TAOC Equipment Maintenance→ Maintaining servers, networks, and other infrastructure components
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)+Cloud monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana)+Security certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP)+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash)+Learn about computer systems+Learn about computer networks
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.
Radar Technician
$78KHigh match
High demand
Field Service Engineer
$85KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific product training
- — Customer service skills
Electronics Engineering Technician
$70KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in electronics
- — Circuit design knowledge
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$65KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Fiber optic certification
- — Networking fundamentals
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 5944 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Aviation radar repairers must understand the intricate relationships between various components within radar systems (AN/TPS-63B, AN/TPS-59 (V)3) and the TAOC equipment. They develop mental models of how these systems function to diagnose and fix issues efficiently.
Transfers to
This ability to create and utilize system models translates directly into understanding complex interconnected systems in various civilian industries. You can visualize, analyze, and troubleshoot complex processes.
Procedural Compliance
Repairing aviation radar equipment requires strict adherence to established maintenance procedures and technical manuals. Aviation radar repairers must follow these procedures precisely to ensure safety and proper functionality.
Transfers to
Your experience in rigorously following procedures makes you valuable in any field that requires accuracy, consistency, and adherence to industry standards. You're comfortable with protocols and understand their importance.
Degraded-Mode Operations
When radar systems malfunction or operate in a degraded state, aviation radar repairers need to adapt their troubleshooting strategies and still maintain system operability to the best of their abilities.
Transfers to
You are adept at finding solutions and maintaining operations even when things aren't working perfectly. You possess a knack for adapting to imperfect situations and maintaining a level of functionality until full capacity is restored.
Situational Awareness
Aviation radar repairers must be constantly aware of the operational status of the radar systems, the environment they are operating in, and how their work impacts overall mission readiness.
Transfers to
Your heightened awareness of your surroundings and the implications of your actions makes you a reliable asset in dynamic situations where understanding the bigger picture is key.
/ 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 working on sophisticated electronic and mechanical systems, diagnosing faults, and making precision adjustments. Your experience translates well to maintaining and repairing complex industrial machinery.
Adjacent · MatchBuilding Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9012You've been troubleshooting and repairing complex radar systems, often under pressure. This makes you a great fit for maintaining and repairing the automated systems that control lighting, HVAC, and security in large buildings.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've developed a strong understanding of electronic systems through your radar repair work. This knowledge is valuable in the rapidly growing field of robotics, where you can apply your skills to maintain and repair automated machines.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aviation Electronics Technician School
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC840hHours
21wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours in electronics technology
Topics · 8
- Basic Electronics Theory
- Radar Principles and Operation
- AN/TPS-63B Radar System Maintenance
- AN/TPS-59(V)3 Radar System Maintenance
- TAOC Equipment Maintenance
- IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Systems
- Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures
- Preventive Maintenance Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
While military training covers radar and IFF systems, CET requires broader knowledge of electronics principles, troubleshooting, and various electronic devices. Study consumer electronics, industrial controls, and digital logic.
- CompTIA Network+40%
Military training covers networking aspects of radar and TAOC equipment. Gaps include broader networking concepts like network design, security, and troubleshooting beyond military-specific systems. Focus on TCP/IP, routing, and common network devices.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 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/TPS-63B Radar | Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) systems | Signals |
| AN/TPS-59(V)3 Radar | Long-range weather surveillance radar | Signals |
| TAOC (Tactical Air Operations Center) equipment | Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems | Operations |
| IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems | Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders | Operations |
| AN/USM-465 Oscilloscope | Digital Oscilloscope (Tektronix, Keysight) | Operations |
| AN/APM-434 Radar Test Set | Radio Frequency (RF) signal generator and analyzer | Signals |
| Digital Multimeter (various models) | Handheld digital multimeter (Fluke, Keysight) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 5944 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.