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ARMY · 68JCareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.68J.R.04

68J · ARMY · Enlisted

Missile and Fire Control
Repairer.

Army 68J (Missile and Fire Control Repairer). 680 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours680DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or electromechanical 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 68J 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 68J training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have08

01
Electronic Principles→ Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
02
Pneudraulic Systems→ Fluid Dynamics
03
Missile System Maintenance→ Systems Engineering
04
Fire Control System Maintenance→ Control Systems Engineering
05
Troubleshooting Procedures→ Root Cause Analysis
06
Technical Manual Interpretation→ Technical Documentation
07
Diagnostic Equipment Operation→ Instrumentation and Measurement
08
Aviation Maintenance Management System (TAMMS)→ Maintenance management software

To learn12

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

+Python programming+Selenium or Cypress for web UI testing+Jenkins or other CI/CD tools+C/C++ programming+Real-time operating systems (RTOS)+Microcontroller programming (e.g., ARM)+Linux system administration+Scripting with Bash or Python+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Cloud Computing+Infrastructure as Code+Configuration 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

Avionics Technician

$75K

High match

High demand

Skills to develop

— FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

P.02

Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

$65K

Good match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) Certification
— Specific industry knowledge (e.g., manufacturing, robotics)

P.03

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Wind turbine safety training
— Climbing and rescue certification
— Electrical troubleshooting on high-voltage systems

P.04

Quality Control Inspector

$55K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Six Sigma certification
— Specific industry standards knowledge (e.g., ISO 9001)

P.05

Technical Trainer

$70K

Moderate match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Instructional design certification
— Curriculum development experience
— Excellent communication skills

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 68J training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

You maintained complex aircraft armament/missile systems, understanding how electrical, electronic, and mechanical components interacted within the larger system to ensure proper weapon functionality.

Transfers to

This ability to visualize and understand how different components work together to achieve a larger goal translates to an aptitude for understanding and optimizing complex systems in civilian industries.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to technical manuals, directives, and safety procedures was paramount in your work. You rigorously followed established protocols for maintenance, modification, and alignment of aircraft weapon systems.

Transfers to

Your commitment to following established procedures and protocols, ensuring that all tasks are completed safely and correctly, is a valuable asset in many regulated industries.

S.03

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were skilled at troubleshooting and repairing systems under pressure, often having to diagnose problems with limited resources or in challenging environments, ensuring mission readiness even when things weren't perfect.

Transfers to

Your experience in maintaining operational effectiveness even when systems aren't functioning optimally makes you adept at problem-solving and maintaining productivity in unpredictable situations.

S.04

Situational Awareness

You had to maintain a constant awareness of the status of aircraft armament/missile systems, ammunition levels, and potential threats, all while coordinating with other team members and ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.

Transfers to

Your ability to quickly assess and respond to your surroundings, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure is highly transferable to roles requiring vigilance and adaptability.

S.05

After-Action Analysis

You evaluated maintenance operations and facilities for compliance with directives and standards, and you performed maintenance trend analysis to improve processes and prevent future issues. This required a systematic review of completed tasks and outcomes.

Transfers to

Your skills in evaluating past performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions make you well-suited for roles focused on quality assurance and continuous process improvement.

/ 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.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've been working with complex electromechanical systems, following detailed procedures, and troubleshooting under pressure. Wind turbines are similar, and your experience with safety protocols is a huge plus.

Adjacent · Match

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062.00

Your experience maintaining missile and fire control systems translates directly to working with the complex automated systems found in robotics. You're already familiar with diagnostics, repair, and precision work.

Adjacent · Match

Amusement and Recreation Mechanic

SOC 49-9091.00

You've been responsible for the safe and reliable operation of complex machinery. Amusement park rides require the same level of attention to detail and safety, and your troubleshooting skills will be invaluable.

Adjacent · Match

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041.00

You're a natural fit because you've spent your career keeping intricate mechanical systems running smoothly. Your experience with schematics, diagnostics, and repair is directly applicable to maintaining industrial equipment.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy