Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certification
- — Specific avionics systems training
Live · Guide v1.016C · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 16CCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.16C.R.04
16C · ARMY · EnlistedNike-Hercules Fire Control
Nike-Hercules Fire Control
Crewmember.
Army 16C (Nike-Hercules Fire Control Crewmember). 280 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 hours280DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in electronics technology
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 16C 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 16C training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Radar theory and function→ Understanding of signal processing, data analysis, and pattern recognition, applicable to network monitoring and anomaly detection in cybersecurity.
- 02Fire control equipment maintenance→ Hardware and software troubleshooting skills applicable to system administration and network engineering.
- 03Electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM)→ Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and techniques for threat detection and mitigation.
- 04Intelligence data collection and analysis→ Ability to gather, interpret, and analyze data from various sources, relevant to data analysis and security analysis roles.
- 05Emergency Destruct Procedures→ Incident response and disaster recovery skills applicable to IT and security roles.
- 06Situational Awareness→ Proactive problem-solving and decision-making based on real-time information in any fast-paced tech environment.
- 07Procedural Compliance→ Attention to detail and adherence to established guidelines, critical for maintaining accuracy and quality in technical tasks.
- 08Team Synchronization→ Collaboration and communication skills, essential for working effectively in tech teams and contributing to shared goals.
- 09Degraded-Mode Operations→ Adaptability and troubleshooting skills for maintaining operations under changing conditions, valuable in DevOps and system administration.
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform or Ansible+SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, ELK stack)+Network security protocols and tools (firewalls, IDS/IPS)+Python for data analysis+SQL and database management
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.
Radar Technician
$82KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial radar systems experience
- — Vendor-specific certifications
Network Systems Administrator
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco CCNA or equivalent
- — Network security protocols
Intelligence Analyst
$85KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Data analysis tools (e.g., Python, R)
- — Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- — Security Clearance (if required)
Technical Trainer
$68KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design
- — Adult learning principles
- — Specific technical expertise
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 16C training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a 16C, you constantly maintained a high level of alertness, tracking multiple data streams from radar and communication systems to identify potential threats and ensure the readiness of the air defense system.
Transfers to
This translates directly into an ability to perceive and understand the environment around you, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information. It's about being proactive and staying ahead of the curve.
Procedural Compliance
Your role demanded strict adherence to complex procedures and protocols for operating and maintaining the Nike-Hercules missile system. Any deviation could have catastrophic consequences, so precision and consistency were paramount.
Transfers to
This means you're highly skilled at following established guidelines, ensuring accuracy, and maintaining quality control. You understand the importance of process and can be relied upon to get things done right the first time.
Team Synchronization
The Nike-Hercules battery required seamless coordination between various crew members, from radar operators to missile launchers. You were part of a tightly knit team that had to work together flawlessly under pressure.
Transfers to
This demonstrates your ability to collaborate effectively with others, communicate clearly, and contribute to a shared goal. You understand how to integrate your efforts with those of your teammates to achieve optimal results.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You were trained to maintain system functionality even when components failed. You used workaround procedures to ensure that the system continues to perform. You knew how to troubleshoot and maintain operation effectiveness, even in imperfect circumstances.
Transfers to
You can think on your feet and troubleshoot on the fly. You are good at maintaining operations even when the situation changes. You bring a problem-solving orientation to every situation.
/ 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.
Power Plant Operator
SOC 51-8013.00You've been entrusted with operating a complex and potentially dangerous weapons system. As a Power Plant Operator, you'll leverage your understanding of complex systems, your dedication to safety protocols, and your ability to respond to emergencies to ensure the reliable operation of power generation facilities.
Adjacent · MatchAir Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2011.00You've been responsible for monitoring airspace and coordinating missile engagements. As an Air Traffic Controller, you'll utilize your exceptional situational awareness, rapid decision-making skills, and communication abilities to ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to respond to threats and maintain operational readiness. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll apply your planning, coordination, and communication skills to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, protecting communities and saving lives.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Air Defense Artillery Center and School
Fort Sill, OK280hHours
7wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in electronics technology
Topics · 7
- Nike-Hercules missile system operation
- Fire control equipment maintenance
- Radar theory and function
- Electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM)
- Air Defense Artillery Command Post (AADCP) operations
- Intelligence data collection and analysis
- Emergency Destruct Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60%
Requires study of modern electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques, and specific electronic components not covered in the legacy NIKE-HERCULES systems.
- CompTIA Network+40%
Requires study of modern networking concepts, protocols, and security practices beyond the legacy communication systems used in NIKE-HERCULES.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Security+Adjacent
- CompTIA CySA+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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nike-Hercules Missile System | Long-range surface-to-air missile defense systems | Weapons |
| Acquisition Radars | Air traffic control radar systems | Signals |
| Tracking and Target Ranging Radars | Doppler weather radar | Signals |
| Automatic Data Transmission Systems | SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems | Operations |
| Army Air Defense Command Post (AADCP) | Emergency operations center (EOC) | Networking |
| Electronic Counter-Countermeasure (ECCM) Procedures | Cybersecurity threat mitigation and network intrusion detection systems | Operations |
| Tactical Action Board | Project Management Dashboards | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 16C 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.