Radar Technician
$75KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC License
- — Commercial radar systems training
Live · Guide v1.013R · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 13RCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.13R.R.04
13R · ARMY · EnlistedFirefinder Radar
Firefinder Radar
Operator.
Army 13R (Firefinder Radar Operator). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $68K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 13R 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 13R training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have10
- 01AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Radar Systems Operation & Maintenance→ Experience with ground-based radar systems translates to understanding complex sensor systems and data processing pipelines.
- 02Radar Site Selection and Emplacement→ Skills in site selection and emplacement translate to infrastructure planning and deployment in IT environments.
- 03Target Data Processing and Reporting Procedures→ Experience in processing and reporting target data is applicable to data analysis and reporting in various business contexts.
- 04Communication Systems (Radio and Wire)→ Proficiency in communication systems provides a foundation for understanding network infrastructure and protocols.
- 05Leadership and Supervision Techniques→ Leadership and supervision skills are transferable to managing teams and projects in any industry.
- 06Situational Awareness→ Ability to perceive and understand complex environments and make informed decisions based on real-time information.
- 07Pattern Recognition→ Ability to identify meaningful patterns from large datasets.
- 08Procedural Compliance→ Disciplined approach and commitment to following established guidelines, ensuring consistent, high-quality results.
- 09Team Synchronization→ Ability to seamlessly integrate with a team, communicate effectively, and contribute to a shared objective.
- 10Degraded-Mode Operations→ Ability to adapt to unexpected challenges, troubleshoot problems under pressure, and maintain productivity in adverse conditions.
To learn04
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration fundamentals+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) basics+Network security principles and tools (firewalls, intrusion detection systems)+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and SQL
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.
Operations Manager
$85KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — Six Sigma certification
- — Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field
Intelligence Analyst
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Python, R)
- — Security Clearance (if required by the employer)
- — Stronger understanding of civilian intelligence methodologies
Logistics Manager
$72KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification
- — APICS certification
- — Experience with civilian logistics software
Technical Trainer
$68KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design certification
- — Adult learning methodologies
- — Curriculum development experience
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 13R training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a Firefinder Radar Operator (13R), you were constantly aware of the battlefield environment, interpreting radar data to identify enemy positions and potential threats, while also understanding the location and status of friendly forces.
Transfers to
This translates to an exceptional ability to perceive and understand complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information.
Pattern Recognition
You analyzed radar signatures to differentiate between various targets (mortar, artillery, etc.), recognizing subtle patterns and anomalies that indicated enemy activity or potential malfunctions.
Transfers to
This sharp eye for detail and ability to identify meaningful patterns from large datasets is highly valuable in many analytical fields.
Procedural Compliance
Operating and maintaining complex radar systems demanded strict adherence to established procedures and protocols to ensure accuracy, reliability, and safety.
Transfers to
Your disciplined approach and commitment to following established guidelines ensures consistent, high-quality results and minimizes errors in any work environment.
Team Synchronization
You coordinated with other members of the fire support team to ensure accurate targeting data was relayed to the fire direction center, enabling effective counter-fire missions.
Transfers to
Your ability to seamlessly integrate with a team, communicate effectively, and contribute to a shared objective makes you a valuable asset in any collaborative project.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained operational effectiveness even when the radar system experienced malfunctions or communication disruptions, utilizing your training and problem-solving skills to overcome challenges and maintain mission readiness.
Transfers to
Your ability to adapt to unexpected challenges, troubleshoot problems under pressure, and maintain productivity in adverse conditions demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness.
/ 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.
Geospatial Analyst
SOC 15-1131As a 13R, you've honed your ability to interpret radar data and identify enemy positions. As a Geospatial Analyst, you'll use similar skills to analyze geographic data, identify trends, and create visualizations for a variety of applications, from urban planning to environmental monitoring. Your pattern recognition and situational awareness will be directly applicable.
Adjacent · MatchNetwork Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You are accustomed to identifying threats based on subtle signatures and maintaining system integrity under pressure, just like a Network Security Analyst. You've been identifying anomalies in radar data; now, you'll identify anomalies in network traffic to protect sensitive information.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst
SOC 13-2011Your background in analyzing radar data to understand enemy positions and tactics translates perfectly to the role of an Intelligence Analyst. You've been assessing threats and providing critical information to decision-makers; now, you'll apply those skills to a broader range of intelligence-gathering activities.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Field Artillery Radar Operator Course
Fort Sill, OK480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended
Topics · 7
- AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Radar Systems Operation & Maintenance
- Radar Site Selection and Emplacement
- Target Data Processing and Reporting Procedures
- Communication Systems (Radio and Wire)
- Combat Fortifications and Emplacements
- Operator Maintenance on Prime Movers and Associated Equipment
- Leadership and Supervision Techniques
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Survey Technician (CST)60%
Requires knowledge of surveying principles, land surveying calculations, and data processing techniques specific to civilian surveying practices. Study legal descriptions and boundary law.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Formal project management methodologies, understanding of PMBOK guide, and specific tools/software used in civilian project management.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30%
Requires in-depth knowledge across all (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains; incident response, risk management, and compliance.
Recommended next · 04
- Geospatial Intelligence Professional Certification (depending on specific duties)Adjacent
- Certified Military Fire Support Specialist (CMFSS)Adjacent
- DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) certificationAdjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
/ 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-36 Firefinder Radar | Ground-based radar systems for weather tracking, air traffic control, or perimeter security. | Signals |
| AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Radar | Advanced radar systems for detecting and tracking objects, similar to those used in airport surveillance or scientific research. | Signals |
| Field Artillery Tactical Data System (FATDS) | Integrated fire control and battlefield management software, similar to civilian GIS and emergency response management platforms. | Operations |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Advanced command and control systems with mapping and communications, such as those used in emergency dispatch or logistical operations (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS, dispatch software). | Operations |
| Joint Automated Deep Operations System (JADOCS) | Collaborative planning and situational awareness tools for real-time data integration and visualization, akin to project management and intelligence platforms. | Operations |
| Meteorological Measuring Set (MMS) | Weather tracking and analysis software such as those used by meteorologists. | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 13R 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.