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1A572 Career Guide

Air Force

1A572: Airborne Mission Systems Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Airborne Mission Systems Specialist (1A572)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1A572 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseSpecific aircraft model certifications

Network Engineer

$90K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA Network+Cybersecurity knowledge

Field Service Technician (Aerospace/Defense)

$80K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific product training (e.g., radar systems)Customer service skillsProject Management skills

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Fiber optic certificationCommercial Driver's License (CDL) if requiredSpecific telecom equipment training

Technical Trainer (Aerospace/Defense)

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesSpecific subject matter expertise updatesExcellent communication skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1A572 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You constantly analyze and troubleshoot complex airborne systems, predicting how changes in one component will affect the entire network. This requires you to build mental models of the system's behavior and interdependencies to maintain peak performance.

Your ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems translates directly into fields that require systems thinking and problem-solving.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You're skilled at maintaining critical systems under pressure, even when equipment malfunctions or environmental factors create obstacles. You find workarounds and temporary solutions to ensure the mission continues without interruption.

Your experience in degraded-mode operations highlights your adaptability and resourcefulness, valuable assets in any fast-paced or high-stakes civilian environment.

Situational Awareness

You are responsible for maintaining constant awareness of the aircraft's systems, environment, and potential threats. You use that awareness to anticipate problems and make quick decisions, ensuring mission success.

Your proven ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and maintain a comprehensive understanding of your surroundings translates into an invaluable ability to manage risk and optimize performance in civilian roles.

Procedural Compliance

You rigorously follow established procedures and protocols for equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Your commitment to accuracy and standardization ensures safety and reliability in high-stakes environments.

Your dedication to procedural compliance makes you a natural fit for roles that demand attention to detail and adherence to industry best practices.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Network Security Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've been working with complex communication networks your entire career, and you have a strong understanding of the vulnerabilities and threats these systems face. Your ability to troubleshoot and maintain these networks translates perfectly to the role of protecting networks from cyber threats.

Field Service Engineer (Medical Equipment)

SOC 49-9062

You've honed your troubleshooting and repair skills on advanced airborne systems. As a Field Service Engineer, you'll use those same skills to maintain and repair medical equipment in hospitals and clinics, ensuring that critical devices are available to save lives.

SCADA Systems Technician

SOC 17-3029

You're already familiar with the remote operation and maintenance of critical systems. As a SCADA Systems Technician, you can leverage your expertise to maintain and optimize industrial control systems, ensuring the smooth operation of essential infrastructure.

Technical Trainer (Aerospace)

SOC 25-4022

You have experience developing and delivering training programs for complex airborne systems. In this role, you can apply your technical knowledge and instructional skills to train civilian technicians on the operation and maintenance of aircraft or related equipment.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Airborne Mission Systems Operator School, Keesler AFB, MS

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and aviation operations

Topics Covered

  • Airborne communication systems operation and maintenance
  • Radar systems principles and maintenance
  • Electronic warfare systems operation
  • Cryptographic systems operation and maintenance
  • Data link management and network connectivity
  • Aircrew procedures and safety
  • Troubleshooting and repair of airborne electronic systems
  • Airborne mission planning and coordination

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Network+70% covered

Requires study of networking fundamentals, OSI model, and specific networking protocols not explicitly covered in military training materials.

CompTIA Security+60% covered

Requires focused study on cybersecurity best practices, risk management, and compliance frameworks relevant to civilian IT infrastructure.

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)50% covered

Requires review of broader electronics theory, troubleshooting methodologies, and industry-specific applications beyond military systems.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
ARC-210 RT-1921(C) Airborne RadioHarris Falcon III AN/PRC-152A Wideband Networking Handheld Radio
AN/APG-68 RadarWeather and navigation radar systems used in commercial aviation
MIL-STD-1553 Data BusARINC 429 data bus in commercial aircraft
AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Warfare PodRadio frequency jammers and signal analyzers
Global Positioning System (GPS) Military Receivers (e.g., DAGR)High-precision GPS receivers for surveying and mapping
Secure Voice Over IP (SVoIP) SystemsEncrypted VoIP solutions like Signal or secure teleconferencing platforms
Airborne Data Link Systems (e.g., Link 16)Satellite communication systems for data transfer

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