Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Live · Guide v1.01B136 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 1B136Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1B136.R.04
1B136 · USAF · EnlistedAirfield Systems
Airfield Systems
Specialist.
Air Force 1B136 (Airfield Systems Specialist). 1,152 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$80K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,152DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1B136 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 1B136 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Airfield Systems maintenance→ Network troubleshooting
- 02Electronic principles and troubleshooting→ System diagnostics
- 03Antenna systems installation and maintenance→ Wireless communication principles
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to industry regulations and safety protocols
- 05After-Action Analysis→ Continuous improvement and process optimization
To learn04
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) level networking+Linux system administration fundamentals+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Cybersecurity fundamentals and network security
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.
Electronics Engineering Technician
$70KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Associate's degree in Electronics Technology
- — Specific software training related to electronics design and testing
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)
- — Knowledge of current telecommunications technologies (e.g., 5G, fiber optics)
Wind Turbine Technician
$60KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Technical certifications in wind turbine maintenance
- — Safety training specific to wind energy (e.g., OSHA 30)
- — Climbing and rescue training
Network Systems Administrator
$80KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — CompTIA Network+
- — Experience with network security protocols
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1B136 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Airfield Systems specialists analyze complex interconnected systems of meteorological, navigational, and air traffic control equipment to ensure optimal performance. They diagnose faults and predict the impact of changes or failures on the overall system.
Transfers to
This ability to understand and model complex systems translates to a civilian setting where you can analyze business processes, IT infrastructure, or logistical networks to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
Procedural Compliance
This role requires strict adherence to maintenance management publications, procedures, safety standards, and technical directives. Airfield Systems specialists ensure all work is completed according to established protocols and regulations.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following procedures and maintaining compliance is invaluable in roles requiring adherence to industry regulations, safety protocols, or quality control standards. You excel at ensuring processes are followed correctly and consistently.
Situational Awareness
Airfield Systems specialists maintain constant awareness of the status of airfield systems, environmental conditions, and air traffic control needs. This awareness enables them to proactively identify potential problems and ensure safe and efficient airfield operations.
Transfers to
This heightened sense of awareness allows you to quickly assess situations, anticipate potential challenges, and make informed decisions, valuable in dynamic environments requiring quick thinking and problem-solving.
After-Action Analysis
By analyzing equipment performance trends and interpreting inspection findings, specialists determine the adequacy of corrective actions. They identify areas for improvement in maintenance methods and techniques.
Transfers to
Your ability to review past performance, identify lessons learned, and implement improvements translates directly into roles focused on continuous improvement, quality assurance, or process optimization.
/ 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.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You've been maintaining critical airfield systems, now leverage that expertise to secure industrial control systems that run infrastructure like power grids and water treatment plants. Your experience with complex systems, troubleshooting, and security protocols makes you a perfect fit.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041You've ensured compliance with complex Air Force regulations. Now, transfer that skill to the civilian world as a compliance officer in heavily regulated industries like finance or healthcare. Your attention to detail and adherence to procedures will be invaluable.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer
SOC 25-9044You have experience interpreting technical specifications and providing guidance. You already possess the knowledge and experience to be a trainer. You can leverage this to train others on complex equipment or software systems. Your ability to explain technical concepts clearly will make you an effective instructor.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Airfield Systems Apprentice Course
Keesler AFB, MS1,152hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology.
Topics · 8
- Airfield Navigation Aids (NAVAIDs) theory and maintenance
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) ground-to-air radio systems maintenance
- Meteorological equipment maintenance and calibration
- Electronic principles and troubleshooting
- Antenna systems installation and maintenance
- Flight inspection procedures
- Grounding and bonding techniques
- Use of specialized test equipment
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Civilian electronics standards, troubleshooting specific consumer electronics, and current industry best practices.
- CompTIA Network+60%
More in-depth knowledge of network infrastructure, specific protocols and topologies used in civilian networks, and troubleshooting methodologies specific to enterprise environments.
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)75%
Specific FCC rules and regulations, maritime radio, and detailed understanding of the legal aspects of radio operation in the US.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- ITIL 4 FoundationAdjacent
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)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/MRN-68(V) Instrument Landing System (ILS) | Commercial Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) such as those from Thales or Indra | Operations |
| AN/TRN-48 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) System | Civilian TACAN equivalents or VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) systems used for air navigation | Operations |
| Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR) | Commercial Airport Surveillance Radar systems such as those from Raytheon or Lockheed Martin | Signals |
| AN/FMQ-19 Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) | Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) from companies like Vaisala or Campbell Scientific | Operations |
| Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) | Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems used in civilian air traffic control | Signals |
| NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface) | GPS Timing Servers | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1B136 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.