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1B155 Career Guide

Air Force

1B155: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (1B155)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1B155 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electronics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications related to the industry, such as CompTIA A+Familiarity with civilian-specific electronic equipment

Avionics Technician

$82K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseExperience with civilian aircraft avionics systems

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Experience with current telecommunications technologies (e.g., fiber optics, VoIP)Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)

Radar Systems Engineer

$110K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related fieldSpecific radar systems design and modeling software skills (e.g., MATLAB)Experience with civilian radar applications (e.g., weather, air traffic control)

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Specific wind turbine safety certifications (e.g., GWO BST)Mechanical aptitude related to wind turbine maintenanceExperience with high-voltage electrical systems

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1B155 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 1B155, you build and maintain a mental model of complex radar systems, understanding how each component interacts to ensure accurate air traffic control and surveillance. You troubleshoot by tracing signal flow and predicting the impact of component failures on the overall system.

This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates into designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting interconnected systems in various industries. You can quickly grasp system architecture and identify potential points of failure.

Procedural Compliance

Your role demands strict adherence to technical orders, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures when installing, repairing, and testing radar systems. Non-compliance can have severe consequences, so you learn to follow protocols meticulously.

This rigorous approach to procedure makes you ideal for roles that demand accuracy and adherence to standards, such as quality assurance, regulatory compliance, or technical documentation.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You maintain operational readiness even when systems are partially down or malfunctioning. You learn to troubleshoot under pressure, implement temporary fixes, and prioritize critical repairs to keep essential functions running.

This adaptability and calm problem-solving under duress are highly valuable in any field where unexpected disruptions can occur. You are equipped to manage crises and maintain essential functions in challenging circumstances.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for ensuring efficient use of resources like tools, support equipment, and personnel when maintaining radar systems. You must plan work assignments, manage workloads, and improve work methods to optimize maintenance operations.

Your experience in maximizing the effectiveness of limited resources makes you well-suited for project management, operations management, or logistics roles. You understand how to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining radar systems requires you to be constantly aware of the operational environment, potential threats, and the status of other interconnected systems. This vigilance helps you anticipate problems and respond proactively.

This constant awareness and proactive mindset make you well-suited for roles requiring risk management, security oversight, or emergency response. You can quickly assess situations and make informed decisions under pressure.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've been working with complex electronic systems, troubleshooting them, and maintaining them. ICS Security leverages these skills to secure systems that control critical infrastructure against cyber threats. You'll be protecting things like power grids and water treatment plants, using your technical expertise in a new way.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099

You've got hands-on experience with radar equipment, including antenna systems, transmitters, and receivers. Wind turbines are complex electromechanical systems, and your skills in maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair are directly transferable. You'll be working at heights, but you're probably used to that!

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've honed your abilities to diagnose and repair electronic systems. Robotics relies on that same core skill set. As a robotics technician, you'll use your troubleshooting abilities to maintain and repair robots in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics, ensuring smooth operation.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Radar Systems Technical Training, Keesler AFB, MS

1,296 training hours36 weeksUp to 15 semester hours in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting
  • Digital Logic and Microprocessors
  • Radar Systems Maintenance Procedures
  • Antenna Theory and Waveguides
  • Transmitter and Receiver Operation
  • Ground Radar System Calibration and Alignment
  • Use of Electronic Test Equipment

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

The 1B155 role provides extensive experience with radar and communication systems. Gaps include specific electronics troubleshooting techniques, industry standards, and broader electronics theory outside of radar-specific applications.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

While the role involves communication subsystems, further study in network topologies, protocols, security, and troubleshooting is needed to fully align with the Network+ objectives.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPS-75 Radar SystemLong-range air surveillance radar
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance RadarCommercial airport radar systems
AN/TPX-42A Interrogator SystemSecondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems
Common ARTS (Automated Radar Terminal System)Air traffic control automation systems (e.g., MicroEARTS)
Mark XIIA Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemCommercial air traffic control transponders
Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR)Advanced airport radar systems with digital signal processing
Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)Long-range radar systems used for en-route air traffic control

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