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2536 Career Guide

Marine Corps

2536: Satellite Communications Technician

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Satellite Communications Technician (2536)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2536 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K
High matchStable demand

Network Technician

$72K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificationCompTIA Network+ certification

Field Service Technician

$60K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific product training (e.g., industrial equipment)Customer service skills

Electronics Technician

$62K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in Electronics TechnologyFurther knowledge of electronic systems

Broadcast Technician

$58K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FCC General Radiotelephone Operator LicenseExperience with broadcast-specific equipment

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2536 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Diagnosing malfunctions in complex communication systems like the AN/TSC-85(D) and AN/TSC-93(D) requires building a mental model of how the entire system should function, including signal flow, power distribution, and interconnection dependencies.

The ability to understand and troubleshoot complex systems translates into understanding complex processes and workflows in civilian industries. This involves visualizing system interactions, predicting outcomes, and identifying potential points of failure.

Procedural Compliance

Operating and maintaining sensitive communication equipment demands strict adherence to established procedures to prevent damage, ensure optimal performance, and maintain security protocols.

Your meticulousness and commitment to following protocols are valuable in environments where safety, accuracy, and consistency are paramount. This ensures adherence to industry regulations and minimizes errors.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Troubleshooting communication equipment involves adapting procedures and finding workarounds when systems are not functioning optimally, whether due to component failure, environmental factors, or enemy action.

Your ability to maintain functionality under stress and in suboptimal conditions is highly valuable. You excel at identifying root causes, implementing temporary solutions, and maintaining productivity during challenging situations.

Situational Awareness

Setting up and maintaining communication links requires awareness of the environment, including potential interference sources, line-of-sight obstructions, and weather conditions, to ensure reliable communication.

Your ability to assess complex environments and adapt to changing conditions translates into being proactive in identifying potential problems, anticipating challenges, and making informed decisions in dynamic civilian workplaces.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041

You've been expertly installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex electronic systems. This experience provides a strong foundation for diagnosing and repairing industrial machinery, which often incorporates electronic and communication components. Your methodical approach and problem-solving abilities will be highly valuable in this role.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099

You've been responsible for maintaining crucial communications equipment under potentially difficult conditions. Your experience with system modeling and troubleshooting makes you an ideal candidate for maintaining wind turbines, which require both electrical and mechanical expertise to ensure they are functioning and feeding the grid. Your experience working independently and troubleshooting will translate well.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've been working on communication equipment requiring very specific, repeatable processes. As a Robotics Technician, you will use your technical skills, procedural compliance, and system modeling ability to ensure robots are operating at their peak performance and efficiently completing assigned tasks.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Satellite Communications Technician Course, Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, Twentynine Palms, CA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in telecommunications or electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Satellite Theory and Principles
  • AN/TSC-85(D) Operation and Maintenance
  • AN/TSC-93(D) Operation and Maintenance
  • Power Generation and Distribution Systems
  • Satellite Acquisition and Tracking Procedures
  • Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures
  • Network Configuration and Management
  • Security Protocols and Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Network+70% covered

While the military training provides a strong foundation in satellite communications equipment operation, additional study is needed on current networking concepts, protocols, security, and troubleshooting techniques as they apply to modern network infrastructure. Focus on topics outside of satellite-specific hardware.

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60% covered

The military training provides excellent hands-on experience with specific satellite communication systems. To achieve CET certification, additional study in broader electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques, and different types of electronic components and circuits is required. This will expand knowledge beyond the specific military equipment.

Recommended Next Certifications

CompTIA Security+Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TSC-85(D) Satellite TerminalSatellite ground station equipment, VSAT terminals
AN/TSC-93(D) Satellite TerminalTransportable satellite communication systems
Harris RF-310M Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) TerminalInmarsat BGAN satellite terminals
Defense Information Systems Network (DISN)Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure
Spectrum AnalyzersSpectrum Analyzers
Power Generators (Various Models)Industrial generators

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