New Cohort Starts:

Donate

16B Career Guide

Army

16B: Nike-Hercules Missile Crewmember

Career transition guide for Army Nike-Hercules Missile Crewmember (16B)

Translate Your 16B Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 16B veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseModern avionics systems training

Quality Control Inspector

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Six Sigma certificationSpecific industry quality control standards (e.g., ISO 9001)

Technical Trainer

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesAdult learning methodologiesPlatform-specific certifications (e.g., CompTIA CTT+)

Maintenance Supervisor

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (e.g., PMP)OSHA safety standards training

Emergency Management Specialist

$72K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)HAZMAT handling certificationDisaster planning experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 16B training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering strictly to complex, multi-step safety protocols and operational procedures is paramount when handling missiles and related equipment to prevent accidents and ensure mission success. Lives depend on it.

The ability to consistently and accurately follow established procedures, even under pressure, ensuring safety and operational integrity.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating and synchronizing the actions of a launching section during missile assembly, pre-fire checks, and launch sequences demands precise timing and communication to achieve a unified effort.

The capacity to orchestrate team efforts by aligning individual contributions with overall objectives through clear communication and coordinated action.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the status of equipment, environmental conditions, and potential threats to react effectively to changing circumstances and make informed decisions.

The ability to perceive and understand the environment and predict its future state, allowing for proactive decision-making.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Quickly identifying malfunctions during missile firings (or misfires) and implementing emergency shutdown procedures requires clear thinking and calm execution to mitigate potential hazards and prevent damage.

Maintaining effectiveness and making critical decisions under stress or when systems fail.

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly triaging and prioritizing tasks during missile assembly and launch preparations ensures efficient resource allocation and on-time execution of critical operations.

Effectively assessing the urgency and importance of tasks to allocate resources and focus efforts on the most critical objectives.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been rigorously trained to handle high-stakes situations requiring precise execution and adherence to protocol. That experience directly translates to planning and coordinating responses to natural disasters and other emergencies, where lives depend on your ability to manage complex operations under pressure.

Industrial Safety Engineer

SOC 17-2111.00

Your experience in enforcing safety standards and managing hazardous materials in a high-risk environment makes you an ideal candidate to design and implement safety programs in industrial settings. You've already mastered the art of preventing accidents and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've honed your expertise in coordinating complex logistical operations in the military, including the transportation, storage, and maintenance of sensitive equipment. Your proven ability to manage resources efficiently and ensure timely delivery makes you an excellent fit for overseeing supply chains and coordinating shipments.

Nuclear Technician

SOC 19-4051.00

Given your experience with complex systems and strict safety protocols, you're well-prepared to monitor radiation, operate specialized equipment, and ensure regulatory compliance in nuclear facilities. You understand the critical importance of precision and accountability, making you a valuable asset in this field.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Defense Artillery Missile Crewmember Training, Fort Sill, OK

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in electromechanical technology

Topics Covered

  • Nike-Hercules Missile System Overview
  • Missile Assembly and Disassembly Procedures
  • Warhead Handling and Safety
  • Launcher Operation and Maintenance
  • Firing Panel Operation and Maintenance
  • Pre-Fire Checks and Adjustments
  • Emergency Procedures (Misfire, Shutdown)
  • Emplacement and March Order Operations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60% covered

Requires study of current electronics theory, troubleshooting methodologies, and specific civilian electronic systems not covered in the military training. Could require hands-on practice with modern electronic equipment.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Requires formal project management training, understanding of PMBOK guidelines, and experience applying project management principles in a civilian context.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry50% covered

Requires specific knowledge of OSHA regulations and standards relevant to general industry, hazard recognition, and safety management systems. Focus on areas outside of military-specific safety protocols.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Manager (CM)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAssociate Safety Professional (ASP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Nike-Hercules Missile SystemSurface-to-air missile systems, similar to Patriot or other defense systems
AN/MPQ-4A RadarLong-range early warning radar systems
Army Air Defense Command Post (AADCP)Air traffic control or emergency management command centers
Missile Launching SystemAutomated industrial robotics for handling hazardous materials
AN/TRC-29 Radio SetLong-range radio communication systems
Technical Manuals (TMs)OEM equipment operation/maintenance manuals and diagnostic tools
Missile Assembly and Disassembly ToolsPrecision hand tools and power tools

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 16B experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free