Radar Technician
$75KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC license
- — Specific radar system certifications (e.g., FAA radar systems)
Live · Guide v1.0131A · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/131A
ARMY · 131ACareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.131A.R.04
131A · ARMY · WarrantField Artillery Targeting
Field Artillery Targeting
Technician.
Army 131A (Field Artillery Targeting Technician). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $68K–$90K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 131A 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 131A training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Target value analysis and prioritization→ Data analysis and prioritization
- 02Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)→ Data collection and analysis
- 03Attack guidance formulation and modification→ Algorithm design and refinement
- 04Radar system maintenance and diagnostics→ System troubleshooting and repair
- 05Experience with Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)→ Experience with Command and Control (C2) systems
- 06Experience with Joint Automated Deep Operations System (JADOCS)→ Experience with Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) platforms
To learn10
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python (fundamentals, pandas, scikit-learn)+Data warehousing (Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery)+SQL+Data visualization (Tableau, Power BI)+Linux fundamentals+Cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP)+Monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana)+Understanding of databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, or NoSQL)+Knowledge of cloud computing concepts and technologies+Understanding of computer networking and security principles
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.
Electronics Engineering Technician
$68KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in Electronics Technology
- — Proficiency in CAD software
Intelligence Analyst
$82KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, Python)
- — Security clearance (if required by employer)
Technical Trainer
$70KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design certification
- — Adult learning principles training
Operations Research Analyst
$90KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Master's degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, or related field
- — Proficiency in statistical modeling software (e.g., R, SAS)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 131A training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You analyze the complex interdependencies within field artillery radar systems to predict performance, identify potential points of failure, and optimize system configurations for various operational scenarios.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to understand and model intricate systems, predict outcomes based on different inputs, and optimize performance for complex operations.
Rapid Prioritization
You constantly assess incoming target data, equipment status reports, and evolving threat assessments to prioritize maintenance tasks, target selection, and resource allocation under pressure.
Transfers to
This means you excel at quickly assessing situations, identifying critical issues, and making decisions about resource allocation, especially when time is of the essence.
Adversarial Thinking
You anticipate enemy tactics and strategies to develop countermeasures, identify vulnerabilities in radar system deployments, and enhance target selection processes.
Transfers to
This demonstrates the ability to think strategically, anticipate potential threats, and develop effective solutions in competitive or high-stakes situations.
Situational Awareness
You maintain a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment, including enemy activity, friendly force positions, and the status of radar systems, to make informed decisions and provide timely recommendations.
Transfers to
This shows your aptitude for gathering and synthesizing information from diverse sources to maintain a clear picture of complex environments and make effective decisions.
Resource Optimization
You manage and allocate resources, including personnel, equipment, and logistical support, to maximize the effectiveness of field artillery radar systems while adhering to budgetary constraints.
Transfers to
You are adept at efficiently allocating resources, streamlining processes, and maximizing output while adhering to budgetary and time constraints.
/ 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.
Data Center Manager
SOC 11-9041.00You've been managing complex systems, prioritizing critical tasks, and optimizing resource allocation in high-pressure military environments. As a Data Center Manager, you'll use these skills to oversee the operations of critical IT infrastructure, ensuring uptime, security, and efficiency.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051.00You've honed your analytical skills through target value analysis and developing enemy order of battle. As an Intelligence Analyst, you'll apply these skills to gather, analyze, and interpret data from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and threats for businesses or government agencies.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been planning, organizing, and implementing logistical support for radar systems. As a Logistics Manager, you'll leverage these abilities to oversee supply chain operations, manage inventory, and optimize distribution networks for companies.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You're skilled in maintaining situational awareness and coordinating resources during critical situations. As an Emergency Management Director, you'll use these skills to develop and implement emergency response plans, coordinate disaster relief efforts, and ensure community preparedness.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Warrant Officer Basic and Advanced Courses
Fort Sill, OK480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended
Topics · 8
- Radar system maintenance and diagnostics (Q-36, Q-37, Q-50)
- Target value analysis and prioritization
- Attack guidance formulation and modification
- Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)
- Target selection standards development
- Fire support system integration
- Enemy artillery order of battle analysis
- Tactical Operations Center procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Requires study of general electronics principles, troubleshooting, and specific electronics applications outside of radar systems.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Requires study of project management methodologies, the PMBOK guide, and practical experience in managing projects outside of military operations.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TPQ-53 Radar | Weather surveillance radar systems, air traffic control radar | Signals |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Command and Control (C2) systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software | Operations |
| Joint Automated Deep Operations System (JADOCS) | Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) platforms, common operational picture (COP) software | Operations |
| Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) | Airspace management software, air traffic control systems | Operations |
| Meteorological Measuring Set (MMS) | Weather forecasting and atmospheric measurement tools | Operations |
| Prophecy Target Development System | Geospatial Analysis Platforms | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 131A 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.