Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.0916A · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 916ACareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.916A.R.04
916A · ARMY · WarrantHigh to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) Systems Maintenance
High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) Systems Maintenance
Technician.
Army 916A (High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) Systems Maintenance Technician). 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 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 916A 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 916A training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01HIMAD systems maintenance→ System troubleshooting and repair
- 02Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMIS)→ Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
- 03Managing SAMS-1 and SARSS-1→ Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) & Inventory Management Systems
- 04ROD/QDR→ Non-conformance Reporting Systems
- 05Engineering Change Proposal (ECP)→ Change Management Systems
- 06Maintenance Work Order (MWO)→ Service Request Management System
- 07Digital Switching Theory and Logic→ Ability to understand the low-level operation of digital systems
- 08Diagnostic System Analysis and Troubleshooting→ Analytical and problem-solving skills
- 09Managing Supply Chain→ Resource Management Skills
To learn10
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible)+Software development lifecycle+Monitoring and alerting tools (Prometheus, Grafana)+Cybersecurity fundamentals+Network security+Intrusion detection systems (IDS) and SIEMs+Data analysis+SQL+Presentation Skills
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.
Field Service Engineer
$85KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific product training (e.g., Siemens, GE)
- — Excellent customer service skills
Electronics Engineering Technician
$70KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in electronics technology
- — Proficiency with CAD software
Quality Assurance Specialist
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Six Sigma certification
- — Knowledge of ISO 9000 standards
Technical Trainer
$68KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design principles
- — Excellent communication skills
- — Adult learning methodologies
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 916A training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a 916A, you developed a deep understanding of how HIMAD missile systems function, including their intricate components and interdependencies. This involved creating mental models to predict system behavior and identify potential failure points.
Transfers to
This translates directly to the ability to build and analyze complex systems in various industries. You can understand how different components interact and identify potential problems before they arise.
Resource Optimization
You managed supply chains, equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure the efficient maintenance and operation of HIMAD missile systems. This included optimizing resource allocation, minimizing downtime, and maximizing system readiness.
Transfers to
Your experience in resource optimization is highly valuable in civilian roles. You're adept at streamlining processes, managing budgets, and ensuring resources are used effectively to achieve organizational goals.
Situational Awareness
You maintained constant awareness of the status of HIMAD missile systems, potential threats, and the operational environment. This allowed you to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to ensure mission success.
Transfers to
Your ability to quickly assess situations, identify potential risks, and make sound judgments under pressure is a valuable asset in many civilian fields. You can anticipate problems, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain a clear focus on objectives.
Procedural Compliance
The work you performed required strict adherence to established maintenance standards, safety regulations, and quality assurance procedures. Non-compliance could lead to catastrophic failures, so vigilance and precision were essential.
Transfers to
Your commitment to procedural compliance makes you a valuable asset in regulated industries. You understand the importance of following established protocols, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring that all work meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
/ 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 (ICS) Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You've been immersed in complex systems and understand the criticality of maintaining their integrity. Your knowledge of troubleshooting, diagnostics, and security protocols translates perfectly to protecting industrial control systems from cyber threats.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer (Robotics/Automation)
SOC 25-9044You've been an instructor in complex weapon systems. This expertise makes you a perfect fit for training civilian technicians and engineers on the operation and maintenance of advanced robotics and automation equipment.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Manager (Aerospace/Defense)
SOC 13-1041You've been steeped in procedural compliance and quality assurance. Your experience in interpreting technical data, identifying discrepancies, and implementing corrective actions makes you an ideal candidate for ensuring regulatory compliance in the aerospace or defense industry.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Patriot System Maintenance Course
Fort Sill, OK840hHours
21wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology
Topics · 8
- Digital Switching Theory and Logic
- HIMAD Missile System Fundamentals
- Solid-State Device Theory
- Diagnostic System Analysis and Troubleshooting
- Direct Support/General Support Maintenance Procedures
- Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMIS)
- Automated Standard Army Maintenance System (SAMS-1)
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Procedures
Partial coverage · 3
- CompTIA A+70%
Focus on current operating systems, mobile device troubleshooting, and networking fundamentals outside of military-specific systems.
- CompTIA Network+60%
Study current networking technologies, cloud networking concepts, and network security best practices.
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)50%
Update knowledge on consumer electronics, advanced troubleshooting techniques, and current industry standards.
Recommended next · 04
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| High Mobility Air Defense (HIMAD) Missile Systems | Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems | Weapons |
| Standard Army Maintenance System (SAMS-1) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software | Operations |
| Standard Army Retail Supply System (SARSS-1) | Inventory Management Systems | Operations |
| The Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMS) | Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) | Operations |
| Report of Discrepancy (ROD)/Quality Discrepancy Report (QDR) | Non-conformance Reporting Systems | Operations |
| Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) | Change Management Systems | Platform |
| Maintenance Work Order (MWO) | Service Request Management System | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 916A 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.