Avionics Technician
$72KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license
- — Specific avionics system training
Live · Guide v1.016R · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 16RCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.16R.R.04
16R · ARMY · EnlistedAir Defense Artillery
Air Defense Artillery
Crewmember.
Army 16R (Air Defense Artillery Crewmember). 280 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $58K–$78K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours280DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in Military Science
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 16R 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 16R training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have07
- 01VULCAN weapon system operation and maintenance→ Hardware troubleshooting and maintenance
- 02Air defense tactics and strategies→ Systems thinking and problem-solving
- 03Command and control systems→ Understanding of complex system architectures
- 04SINCGARS Radio System→ Military-grade encrypted communication systems
- 05Situational Awareness→ Observing, monitoring, and responding to real-time data.
- 06Rapid Prioritization→ Evaluating situations and focusing efforts on critical objectives, even under pressure
- 07Procedural Compliance→ Ensuring accuracy, consistency, and safety by following guidelines and procedures.
To learn04
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Network security fundamentals (firewalls, intrusion detection systems, SIEM)+Linux server administration, scripting (Bash, Python), virtualization technologies+Current operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), networking fundamentals, help desk ticketing systems+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP), containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible)
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.
Security Systems Installer/Technician
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific security system certifications (e.g., Bosch, Honeywell)
- — Networking fundamentals
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
$60KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Diesel engine repair certification
- — Hydraulic systems knowledge
- — Welding skills
First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
$78KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management
- — Leadership training
- — Specific industry knowledge (e.g., automotive, manufacturing)
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
$58KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) training
- — Blueprints/Schematics reading
- — Preventative Maintenance Procedures
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 16R training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a VULCAN crewmember, you constantly monitor the airspace, assessing potential threats and differentiating between friendly and hostile aircraft in a high-pressure environment.
Transfers to
This translates to an exceptional ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions based on real-time data.
Rapid Prioritization
When engaging aerial threats, you quickly assess the level of danger, prioritize targets, and allocate resources effectively to neutralize the most immediate threats.
Transfers to
You excel at quickly evaluating situations, identifying critical tasks, and focusing your efforts on the most important objectives, even under pressure.
Team Synchronization
Operating a VULCAN anti-aircraft gun requires seamless coordination with your crew, ensuring each member performs their assigned tasks with precision and timing to maximize effectiveness.
Transfers to
You understand the importance of teamwork and are adept at coordinating your actions with others to achieve a common goal, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.
Procedural Compliance
Adhering to strict protocols and procedures is crucial when operating a complex weapon system like the VULCAN, ensuring safety and mission success.
Transfers to
You have a strong understanding of the importance of following established guidelines and procedures, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and safety in all your tasks.
/ 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 assess threats, prioritize responses, and coordinate teams under pressure, skills that are directly transferable to managing disaster response and mitigation efforts. Your understanding of procedural compliance and situational awareness will be invaluable.
Adjacent · MatchAir Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2021.00You've developed exceptional situational awareness and rapid prioritization skills, essential for managing the flow of air traffic and ensuring the safety of aircraft. Your ability to remain calm under pressure and make quick decisions makes you an ideal candidate.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've managed resources and coordinated teams in high-stakes environments, making you well-prepared to handle the complex logistics of supply chains and distribution networks. Your emphasis on procedural compliance and attention to detail will ensure efficient operations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) and VULCAN/Stinger Crewmember Course
Fort Sill, OK280hHours
7wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 3 semester hours in Military Science
Topics · 7
- VULCAN weapon system operation and maintenance
- Air defense tactics and strategies
- Target identification and engagement
- Electronic warfare and countermeasures
- Command and control systems
- NBC defense procedures
- Leadership skills and team management
Partial coverage · 2
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry60%
Study specific OSHA standards for general industry, focusing on hazard communication, electrical safety, and machine guarding not explicitly covered in military training.
- Certified Supervisor (various providers)70%
Focus on civilian HR practices, conflict resolution in a non-military environment, and relevant labor laws.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- Associate Safety Professional (ASP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| M61 Vulcan Air Defense System | Close-in weapon systems (CIWS) maintenance and operation | Operations |
| AN/VPS-2 Radar | Short-range air surveillance radar systems | Signals |
| PATRIOT Missile System (Evaluator Role) | Integrated air and missile defense systems operation and maintenance | Weapons |
| Air and Missile Defense Work Station (AMDWS) | Airspace management and battle management software | Weapons |
| Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) | Air traffic control and airspace management software | Operations |
| SINCGARS Radio System | Military-grade encrypted communication systems | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 16R 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.