Air Traffic Controller
$138KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Air Traffic Control Certification
- — Strong prioritization skills
Live · Guide v1.014J · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 14JCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.14J.R.04
14J · ARMY · EnlistedAir Defense Early Warning System
Air Defense Early Warning System
Operator.
Army 14J (Air Defense Early Warning System Operator). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $70K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Military Science
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 14J 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 14J training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Situational Awareness→ Ability to understand the dynamics of complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time data.
- 02Rapid Prioritization→ Ability to manage multiple tasks, delegate effectively, and make sound judgments under tight deadlines.
- 03Team Synchronization→ Effective leadership, collaboration, and communication skills for managing projects.
- 04System Modeling→ Understanding of how complex systems work, allowing you to analyze processes and identify inefficiencies.
- 05After-Action Analysis→ Ability to critically evaluate past performance and implement corrective actions.
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools+Network security principles and protocols+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation+Linux server administration+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)
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.
Surveillance Systems Technician
$75KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific certifications related to the types of systems they will maintain (e.g., radar, CCTV)
- — Networking fundamentals
Emergency Management Specialist
$82KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential
- — FEMA certifications (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800)
Intelligence Analyst
$85KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Palantir, Analyst's Notebook)
- — Specific domain knowledge (e.g., cybersecurity, counterterrorism)
Radar Technician
$70KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
- — Experience with specific radar systems used in civilian applications
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 14J training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
14Js maintain constant awareness of the airspace, tracking multiple aircraft and assessing potential threats in real-time. This requires a high level of vigilance and the ability to quickly process complex information to make critical decisions.
Transfers to
This translates directly to the ability to understand the dynamics of a complex environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time data and changing conditions.
Rapid Prioritization
Air Defense Artillery sergeants must quickly assess and prioritize threats, manage resources, and direct personnel under pressure. This requires the ability to rapidly evaluate situations and make decisions that minimize risk and maximize effectiveness.
Transfers to
This skill translates into the ability to manage multiple tasks, delegate effectively, and make sound judgments under tight deadlines and in dynamic environments.
Team Synchronization
This role involves coordinating and directing teams of soldiers, ensuring everyone is working together seamlessly to achieve a common goal. This includes clear communication, delegation of tasks, and fostering a cohesive team environment.
Transfers to
The ability to synchronize team efforts translates to effective leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, essential for managing projects and achieving organizational goals.
System Modeling
14Js develop a deep understanding of complex air defense systems, including their capabilities, limitations, and interdependencies. They use this knowledge to predict system behavior, troubleshoot problems, and optimize performance.
Transfers to
This translates to an understanding of how complex systems work, allowing you to analyze processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements.
After-Action Analysis
After training exercises or real-world operations, 14Js conduct thorough after-action reviews to identify areas for improvement and refine tactics and procedures. This involves analyzing data, soliciting feedback, and developing actionable recommendations.
Transfers to
This skill allows you to critically evaluate past performance, identify root causes of problems, and implement corrective actions to improve future outcomes.
/ 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.
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to maintain situational awareness under pressure and make critical decisions in high-stress environments. Your experience in threat assessment and resource management makes you an ideal candidate for coordinating emergency response efforts.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've honed your skills in managing complex systems and resources effectively, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Your experience in monitoring equipment readiness and coordinating logistical support makes you well-suited for optimizing supply chains and improving efficiency.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051.00You've developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills in your military career, particularly in the ability to assess complex data and intelligence. Your pattern recognition and threat assessment abilities will allow you to excel in this field.
Adjacent · MatchAir Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2011.00You've honed the ability to track multiple aircraft, make split-second decisions, and maintain constant situational awareness, all while under extreme pressure. Your experience in air defense operations and communications translates perfectly to managing air traffic safely and efficiently.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Air Defense Artillery School
Fort Sill, OK480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Military Science
Topics · 8
- Air Defense System Operation
- Early Warning Systems
- Aircraft Identification
- Map Reading and Land Navigation
- Radio Communications Procedures
- Intelligence Reporting
- Preventive Maintenance on Systems
- Crew Drill Training
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30%
Requires study of information security principles, risk management, and security architecture. Focus on cryptography, access control, and security assessment.
- CompTIA Security+50%
Needs to study network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, application, data and host security, access control and identity management, and cryptography.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)Adjacent
- ITIL 4 FoundationAdjacent
/ 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/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar | Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) | Signals |
| Patriot Air and Missile Defense System | Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems | Weapons |
| Avenger Air Defense System | Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) systems for critical infrastructure protection | Operations |
| Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) | Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems | Operations |
| Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) | Satellite ground stations for data processing and distribution | Operations |
| Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS) | Command and Control (C2) software for air defense | Weapons |
| Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) | Networked battlefield management systems | Networking |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 14J 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.