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USMC · 5964Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.5964.R.04

5964 · USMC · Enlisted

Air Defense Systems
Technician.

Marine Corps 5964 (Air Defense Systems Technician). 640 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours640DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology and telecommunications

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage3/6direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 5964 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 5964 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have06

01
AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR Radar System Operations and Maintenance→ Network Monitoring, System Diagnostics
02
Advanced Communication Systems Troubleshooting→ Network Troubleshooting, Protocol Analysis
03
Electronic Warfare Principles→ Understanding of Security Threats and Vulnerabilities
04
Situational Awareness→ Incident Response, Threat Analysis
05
Rapid Prioritization→ Resource Allocation, Task Management
06
Team Synchronization→ Collaboration, Communication

To learn06

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

+Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification+Security certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH))+Linux system administration fundamentals+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Python programming language+SQL and database management

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

Air Traffic Controller

$138K

High match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— FAA certification
— Experience with civilian air traffic control systems

P.02

Emergency Management Specialist

$85K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— FEMA certifications
— Civilian emergency management protocols
— Local government regulations

P.03

Network Systems Administrator

$88K

Good match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
— CompTIA Network+
— Windows or Linux server administration

P.04

Cybersecurity Analyst

$95K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— CompTIA Security+
— Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
— Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks

P.05

Technical Support Specialist

$60K

Moderate match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Customer service skills
— Specific software certifications (e.g., Microsoft, Cisco)
— ITIL Foundation certification

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 5964 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

As a 5964, you constantly monitor a vast array of data feeds from air, ground, and naval operations, requiring you to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving tactical environment.

Transfers to

This translates to an exceptional ability to quickly grasp the dynamics of complex situations, anticipate potential problems, and proactively adjust strategies to maintain a competitive edge.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely make split-second decisions regarding the urgency and importance of incoming information, prioritizing communication relays and responses during critical events.

Transfers to

This skill showcases your ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks, assess their relative importance, and allocate resources effectively under pressure. You excel at quickly identifying what truly matters and focusing your efforts accordingly.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to strict protocols and regulations is paramount when operating communications, detection, and weapons systems. You ensure all actions comply with established guidelines to maintain operational effectiveness and safety.

Transfers to

Your dedication to following established procedures demonstrates your commitment to quality, accuracy, and risk mitigation. You understand the importance of structured processes and consistently adhere to standards to deliver reliable results.

S.04

Team Synchronization

Relaying critical communications effectively to air, naval, and ground forces requires precise communication and coordination within a team to ensure smooth operation.

Transfers to

Working in sync with a team to achieve a common goal using clear and concise communication demonstrates an ability to work well with others.

/ 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.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been implementing emergency plans for natural and wartime disasters, so you have direct experience mitigating risk. Your ability to relay command center information translates seamlessly into coordinating disaster response efforts.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been maintaining and relaying critical communications between air, naval, and ground forces, so you excel at managing complex information flows. You're adept at optimizing processes, skills crucial for logistics and supply chain management.

Adjacent · Match

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 27-3091.00

You've been monitoring surveillance and detection systems, interpreting tactical situations, and making recommendations, so your analytical skills are top-notch. Your pattern recognition abilities and expertise in data interpretation are highly valuable in intelligence roles.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy