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16T Career Guide

Army

16T: PATRIOT Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer

Career transition guide for Army PATRIOT Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer (16T)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Avionics Technician

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA certificationSpecific avionics systems training

Operations Manager

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)Lean Six Sigma certification

Technical Trainer

$70K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional designCurriculum development

Radar Technician

$80K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian radar systems trainingSpecific equipment certifications

First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry knowledgeCivilian management practices

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

Situational Awareness

As a Patriot missile system supervisor, you constantly monitor the airspace for potential threats, rapidly assessing the environment to identify and classify incoming targets.

This translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information.

Rapid Prioritization

In a high-pressure environment, you make split-second decisions on which threats to engage first, managing multiple priorities under strict time constraints to protect critical assets.

You can effectively triage tasks, focus on the most urgent and important matters, and maintain composure even when facing competing demands.

Team Synchronization

You coordinate the actions of a team operating complex missile systems, ensuring seamless communication and cooperation to achieve mission objectives.

You excel at coordinating group efforts, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that all team members are working effectively towards a common goal.

System Modeling

You understand the intricate workings of the PATRIOT missile system, from radar acquisition to missile launch, and can predict its behavior under various conditions.

You possess the ability to analyze complex systems, identify potential weaknesses, and develop strategies for optimizing performance.

Procedural Compliance

You rigorously adhere to established protocols and procedures for operating and maintaining the PATRIOT system, ensuring safety and operational readiness.

You are meticulous in following guidelines, maintaining standards, and ensuring that tasks are completed accurately and consistently.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for protecting critical assets and making split-second decisions under pressure. Your expertise in threat assessment, resource allocation, and coordinated response makes you an ideal candidate to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans.

Air Traffic Controller

SOC 53-2011.00

You've demonstrated an exceptional ability to maintain situational awareness, prioritize threats, and make rapid decisions while coordinating the actions of a team. As an air traffic controller, you'll use these skills to manage air traffic flow and ensure the safety of aircraft.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You're highly skilled in system modeling and resource optimization, ensuring that critical equipment and personnel are in the right place at the right time. You will excel at managing complex supply chains and coordinating logistics operations for maximum efficiency.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 13-2099.00

You’re adept at gathering, analyzing, and interpreting complex information to identify potential threats and assess risks. Your analytical skills and attention to detail make you well-suited for a career as an intelligence analyst, where you’ll play a crucial role in informing decision-making.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Defense Artillery Center, Fort Sill, OK

630 training hours15 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • PATRIOT missile system operation and maintenance
  • AN/MPQ-65 radar system operation
  • Fire control principles and procedures
  • Missile maintenance and repair
  • Launcher station operation and maintenance
  • Electronic warfare and countermeasures
  • Tactical communications
  • Air battle management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Security+60% covered

Study network security concepts, cryptography, access control, and security assessment procedures. Focus on areas like risk management and compliance.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Formal project management training, particularly in areas like stakeholder management, procurement, and project financials. Requires documented project management experience.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30% covered

Requires 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains. Candidates will need to study all domains, especially those not directly related to their military role.

Recommended Next Certifications

ITIL 4 FoundationCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH)AWS Certified Security - Specialty

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
PATRIOT Air Defense SystemIntegrated air and missile defense systems
AN/MPQ-65 Radar SetLong-range radar systems for air traffic control or weather forecasting
Engagement Control Station (ECS)Industrial control systems (ICS) for process automation
Launcher Control Station (LCS)Remote control systems for heavy machinery or industrial robots
Missile Round Pallet (MRP)Specialized container systems for transporting sensitive materials
Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS)Airspace management software

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