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Live · Guide v1.05957 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 5957Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.5957.R.04
5957 · USMC · Enlisted

Air Traffic Control Radar
Technician.

Marine Corps 5957 (Air Traffic Control Radar Technician). 960 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$82K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours960DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 5957 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 5957 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have09
  • 01
    Troubleshooting and Repair of Radar Systems→ Troubleshooting complex systems
  • 02
    Preventive Maintenance Procedures→ Developing and implementing maintenance plans
  • 03
    Use of Test Equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers)→ Using diagnostic tools and monitoring systems
  • 04
    Technical Documentation and Schematics→ Creating and maintaining technical documentation
  • 05
    Software Loading and System Configuration→ Configuring and deploying software applications
  • 06
    System Modeling→ Understanding interconnected systems
  • 07
    Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to established procedures
  • 08
    Degraded-Mode Operations→ Remaining calm and resourceful under pressure
  • 09
    After-Action Analysis→ Evaluating past performance to improve future outcomes
To learn08

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

+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes) basics+Infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible)+CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI)+Network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS) and network security+Network monitoring tools (e.g., Wireshark, SolarWinds)+Security tools (firewalls, intrusion detection systems)+Security best practices (e.g., OWASP, SANS)
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

Radar Technician

$82K
High match
High demand
P.03

Field Service Engineer

$78K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • — Specific product knowledge (e.g., Siemens, GE)
  • — Stronger customer service skills
P.04

Electronics Engineering Technician

$65K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — Associate's degree in electronics
  • — Proficiency in CAD software
P.05

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — Fiber optic cabling
  • — Networking certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 5957 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

Working with complex radar systems requires understanding how each component interacts and affects the overall performance. You mentally model the system to predict behavior and troubleshoot issues.

Transfers to

This ability to visualize and understand interconnected systems translates to roles where you can analyze and improve processes, forecast outcomes, or develop strategic plans.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

Maintaining air traffic control radar systems involves strict adherence to safety procedures, technical manuals, and operational protocols to ensure accuracy and prevent disruptions.

Transfers to

Your experience in meticulously following established procedures is highly valuable in industries requiring precision, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

S.03

Degraded-Mode Operations

When radar systems malfunction, you must quickly adapt and implement alternative procedures to maintain essential functionality, even if performance is compromised.

Transfers to

This ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure, finding solutions even when resources are limited, is essential for crisis management and business continuity roles.

S.04

After-Action Analysis

Analyzing system failures, maintenance logs, and flight inspection reports to identify root causes, improve maintenance procedures, and prevent future issues strengthens your critical thinking.

Transfers to

This translates directly to roles where you will evaluate past performance to improve future outcomes. This skill is valuable for continuous process improvement in high tech companies.

/ 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 49-9041

You've been trained to work with complex, high-tech equipment, including troubleshooting and repairing malfunctions. Your understanding of radar systems is analogous to operating and maintaining industrial machinery.

Adjacent · Match

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099

Your experience in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting radar systems translates well to wind turbine maintenance, which also involves working with sophisticated electronic and mechanical equipment in demanding environments.

Adjacent · Match

Quality Assurance Analyst

SOC 19-4041

You've developed a strong understanding of system functionality and performance standards. You can analyze data, identify discrepancies, and recommend corrective actions to ensure products or services meet quality standards. Your methodical approach and attention to detail are highly valuable.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Air Traffic Control Maintenance Technician Course

Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, Twenty Nine Palms, CA
960hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 9 semester hours in electronics technology

Topics · 8
  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • Air Traffic Control Radar Systems Operation
  • Troubleshooting and Repair of Radar Systems
  • Preventive Maintenance Procedures
  • Use of Test Equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers)
  • Technical Documentation and Schematics
  • Safety Procedures for Radar Systems
  • Software Loading and System Configuration
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%

    Focus on consumer electronics repair, specific troubleshooting methodologies not covered in military radar systems, and current industry standards for electronics repair outside of radar.

  • CompTIA Network+60%

    Study broader networking concepts, protocols, and troubleshooting techniques applicable to general IT networks beyond the specialized radar systems. Pay attention to network security, cloud networking, and network automation.

Recommended next · 04
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAdjacent
  • 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 SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
AN/TPN-31 Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)Commercial Airport Surveillance Radar systems (e.g., those from Raytheon, Thales, or Indra)Signals
AN/GPN-27 Precision Approach Radar (PAR)Commercial Precision Approach Radar systems for guiding aircraft during landing (e.g., similar systems used at civilian airports)Signals
Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR)Modern digital radar systems used for air traffic control in civilian airportsSignals
Air Traffic Control Systems Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (ATC4I)Integrated air traffic management software platforms (e.g., those from Saab, Frequentis, or Leonardo)Networking
Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE)Electronic test and measurement equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers from Keysight, Tektronix, Rohde & Schwarz)Operations
Ground-to-Air Radio SystemsVHF/UHF radio communication systems used by air traffic controllers to communicate with aircraftOperations
Radar data processing systemsReal-time data processing and visualization software for radar data (e.g., those used in weather forecasting or air traffic control)Signals
/ Translator · Live

Translate 5957 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.

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