Radar Technician
$75KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC License
- — Specific radar system certifications
Live · Guide v1.017B · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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ARMY · 17BCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.17B.R.04
17B · ARMY · EnlistedCounterfire Radar
Counterfire Radar
Operator.
Army 17B (Counterfire Radar Operator). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $70K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours 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 17B 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 17B training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have11
- 01Radar theory and operation→ Understanding of sensor technology and data processing
- 02Target acquisition and identification→ Data analysis and pattern recognition
- 03Map reading and land navigation→ Spatial data analysis and visualization
- 04Communications equipment operation→ Networking and data transmission
- 05Counterfire procedures→ Risk assessment and mitigation
- 06Electronic warfare→ Cybersecurity principles and threat detection
- 07Maintenance of radar systems→ System troubleshooting and maintenance
- 08Situational Awareness→ Quickly assess complex situations, identify potential risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions
- 09Rapid Prioritization→ Assess competing demands, allocate resources effectively, and maintain focus under pressure
- 10System Modeling→ Understand complex systems, identify key variables, and predict outcomes
- 11Team Synchronization→ Ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a shared goal. Clarify expectations, provide constructive feedback, and foster a collaborative environment
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Statistical analysis techniques and tools (e.g., R, Python pandas)+Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Chef)+Containerization and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)+Network security principles and tools (e.g., firewalls, intrusion detection systems)+Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing techniques+Security information and event management (SIEM) systems+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation+Operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux) administration+Networking concepts and protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS)
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.
Intelligence Analyst
$82KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Data analysis software (e.g., Python, R)
- — Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Operations Manager
$95KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — Lean Six Sigma certification
Emergency Management Specialist
$78KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Hazard mitigation planning
- — Incident command system (ICS) training
Technical Trainer
$70KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Instructional design
- — E-learning development tools
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 17B training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
This role demands constant awareness of the battlefield, including the location of friendly and enemy forces, radar coverage areas, and potential threats to the radar system itself. The operator must synthesize data from multiple sources to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment.
Transfers to
In the civilian sector, this translates to the ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify potential risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information. It's about seeing the big picture and anticipating potential problems before they arise.
Rapid Prioritization
When managing counterfire radar operations, incoming data points and potential threats must be triaged instantly. The operator must quickly determine which targets pose the greatest immediate risk and allocate resources accordingly, all while adhering to established protocols.
Transfers to
This skill enables you to quickly assess competing demands, allocate resources effectively, and maintain focus under pressure. It allows you to stay calm and make sound judgments, even when facing multiple urgent tasks.
System Modeling
Operating and supervising counterfire radar requires a deep understanding of how the system works, its limitations, and its interactions with other battlefield systems. This role uses system modeling to predict radar performance, diagnose malfunctions, and optimize radar placement for maximum effectiveness.
Transfers to
This translates to the ability to understand complex systems, identify key variables, and predict outcomes based on different inputs. It's about seeing how all the pieces fit together and anticipating the consequences of your actions.
Team Synchronization
Effectively operating counterfire radar and leading a team requires seamless coordination and communication. The radar operator works closely with fire direction centers, intelligence analysts, and other units to ensure accurate targeting and timely responses. Synchronization also includes briefing your team and ensuring they are well-prepared.
Transfers to
You can ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a shared goal. You know how to clarify expectations, provide constructive feedback, and foster a collaborative environment.
/ 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 responsible for maintaining situational awareness in high-pressure environments, rapidly prioritizing threats, and coordinating responses with multiple agencies. Your experience with radar systems gives you a unique understanding of risk assessment and disaster preparedness.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-1199.00You've been planning, coordinating, and supervising complex operations involving personnel, equipment, and information. Your experience with resource allocation and system optimization translates directly to the challenges of managing supply chains and distribution networks.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst
SOC 13-2011.00You've honed your analytical skills by collecting, interpreting, and evaluating intelligence data to develop accurate targeting information. You can take these analytical skills and apply them in business intelligence, market analysis, or financial analysis roles.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer
SOC 25-9044.00You've been responsible for training soldiers on the operation and maintenance of complex radar systems. Your expertise in technical communication, curriculum development, and instructional design makes you well-suited to training others in the civilian sector.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Radar Operator Course
Fort Sill, OK480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in electronics technology
Topics · 7
- Radar theory and operation
- Target acquisition and identification
- Map reading and land navigation
- Communications equipment operation
- Counterfire procedures
- Electronic warfare
- Maintenance of radar systems
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)60%
Study wireless networking fundamentals, 802.11 standards, WLAN security, and troubleshooting techniques specific to enterprise wireless networks.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Study the PMBOK guide, focusing on the 49 project management processes, ten knowledge areas, and five process groups. Gain more experience leading projects.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)Adjacent
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TPQ-50 Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR) | Acoustic Weapon Locators | Signals |
| AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar | Weather Surveillance Radar | Signals |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Civilian equivalents include mapping software like ESRI ArcGIS, used for spatial data analysis and visualization | Operations |
| Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) | Air Traffic Control Systems | Operations |
| Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System (JADOCS) | Geospatial Intelligence Systems | Operations |
| Meteorological Measuring Set -Profiler (MMS-P) | Commercial Weather Balloon Tracking | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 17B 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.