Avionics Technician
$78KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA A&P Certification
- — Aircraft-specific training
Live · Guide v1.0FT · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · FTCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.FT.R.04
FT · NAVY · EnlistedFire
Fire
Controlman.
Navy FT (Fire Controlman). 1,200 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,200DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours in electronics technology and computer maintenance.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your FT 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 FT training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Digital and Analog Circuitry Troubleshooting→ Hardware Troubleshooting
- 02Computer and Network Maintenance→ Systems Administration
- 03Preventive and Corrective Maintenance Procedures→ IT Incident Management
- 04System Modeling→ Systems Thinking
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Change Management
- 06Situational Awareness→ Risk Management
To learn07
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration fundamentals+Scripting with Bash and Python+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)+Network security protocols (firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, or Puppet)+Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes basics
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 Technician
$72KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific product training
- — Customer service skills
Computer Network Support Specialist
$75KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — CompTIA Network+
Mechatronics Technician
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — PLC Programming
- — Robotics Training
Technical Trainer
$70KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional Design
- — Curriculum Development
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your FT training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Fire control technicians constantly analyze complex, interconnected systems to understand how each component impacts overall weapon system performance, from radar inputs to missile launch sequences.
Transfers to
This ability to understand complex systems translates to an aptitude for designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing various systems in civilian industries. You can quickly grasp how different elements interact and identify potential issues before they escalate.
Degraded-Mode Operations
When critical systems fail or are damaged, Fire Control Technicians must adapt quickly to keep the weapon system operational, often using creative workarounds and alternative procedures to maintain functionality under duress.
Transfers to
Your experience in 'MacGyvering' solutions under pressure is highly valuable. Civilian companies need people who can think on their feet, maintain operations during crises, and find innovative solutions when resources are limited.
Procedural Compliance
Operating and maintaining weapons systems require strict adherence to detailed procedures and protocols to ensure safety and effectiveness. Fire Control Technicians are trained to follow guidelines meticulously and enforce standards.
Transfers to
Your commitment to process and safety makes you a perfect fit for roles that require unwavering attention to detail and a strong understanding of compliance standards. You know how to follow established protocols and can identify potential deviations or risks.
Situational Awareness
FTs need to stay aware of the overall combat environment, how their systems integrate with the rest of the ship and battle group, and the status of potential targets and threats.
Transfers to
Your ability to maintain awareness of the bigger picture translates into an ability to integrate your specific work into the overarching goals of an organization. You are adept at understanding how your actions contribute to overall success.
After-Action Analysis
Following live fire exercises or combat scenarios, Fire Control Technicians participate in detailed after-action reviews to identify areas for improvement in system performance, maintenance procedures, or operational tactics.
Transfers to
Your skill in assessing past performance and identifying areas for growth makes you an ideal candidate for roles involving process improvement, quality assurance, or strategic planning. You know how to learn from experience and apply those lessons to future endeavors.
/ 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 Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You've been safeguarding critical weapons systems from potential threats. That expertise directly translates to protecting industrial control systems (ICS) used in manufacturing, energy, and other sectors from cyberattacks and malfunctions. These systems are as complex and critical as any weapon system, and your skills in troubleshooting, maintenance, and security will be highly valued.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've been working with sophisticated electromechanical systems, computers, and software to control weapons. That experience is directly applicable to robotics, where you'll be responsible for maintaining, repairing, and programming robotic systems used in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Your ability to diagnose problems, troubleshoot complex systems, and follow detailed procedures will make you a valuable asset.
Adjacent · MatchTheme Park Ride Technician
SOC 49-9071You've been maintaining complex and potentially dangerous systems that need to operate flawlessly. Theme park rides require the same level of precision and safety, and you're already familiar with the type of electrical, mechanical, and computer systems that control them. Your ability to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain these systems will be highly sought after.
Adjacent · MatchWind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9081You've got experience with electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems, and you know how to work safely at heights. Your skills in troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair are directly applicable to wind turbines, where you'll be responsible for keeping these complex machines running smoothly and efficiently. Plus, you'll be contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
AEGIS Fire Control System (FCS) Operation and Maintenance
Dam Neck, VA1,200hHours
30wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours in electronics technology and computer maintenance.
Topics · 8
- AEGIS Weapons System Operation
- Radar Theory and Maintenance (AN/SPY-1)
- Weapon Launching Systems (Mk 41 VLS)
- Missile Systems (Standard Missile family)
- Digital and Analog Circuitry Troubleshooting
- Fiber Optics and Data Transmission
- Computer and Network Maintenance
- Preventive and Corrective Maintenance Procedures
Partial coverage · 3
- CompTIA A+70%
Some customer service and business operations topics, plus the latest hardware and software versions.
- CompTIA Network+60%
Latest networking standards, security protocols, and troubleshooting methodologies. Hands-on experience with diverse network environments.
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)50%
In-depth knowledge of specific electronics applications outside of military systems, current industry standards, and best practices.
Recommended next · 03
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aegis Combat System | Integrated defense systems, similar to Lockheed Martin's Command and Control systems | Operations |
| Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TWCS) | Mission planning and execution software, such as those used in aerospace or drone operations. | Weapons |
| Gun Fire Control System (GFCS) | Industrial control systems for automated machinery, or advanced robotics control software. | Weapons |
| Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) | Automated defense systems, similar to those used in critical infrastructure protection. | Weapons |
| NATO Seasparrow Missile System | Air defense systems integration, comparable to missile defense technologies employed by defense contractors. | Weapons |
| MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) | Automated storage and retrieval systems with complex control software, similar to those used in logistics or manufacturing. | Operations |
| AN/SPY-1 Radar | Advanced radar systems for air traffic control, weather forecasting, or surveillance applications. | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate FT 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.