25F Career Guide
25F: Network Switching Systems Operator-Maintainer
Career transition guide for Army Network Switching Systems Operator-Maintainer (25F)
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Top civilian roles for 25F veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Network Engineer
Skills to develop:
Telecommunications Specialist
Skills to develop:
Information Security Analyst
Skills to develop:
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Skills to develop:
Field Service Technician
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 25F training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
You built and maintained complex telecommunications networks, understanding how each component interacts to ensure seamless communication flow. You can troubleshoot and anticipate potential failures based on your knowledge of the system as a whole.
Your ability to understand complex systems and their interdependencies translates directly into designing, analyzing, and improving business processes or software architectures.
Rapid Prioritization
You constantly assessed the urgency and impact of network issues, prioritizing restoration efforts to maintain critical communication lines. You made split-second decisions to allocate resources and manpower where they were needed most.
The ability to quickly assess situations and prioritize tasks under pressure is highly valuable in fast-paced civilian environments, enabling effective resource allocation and problem-solving.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintained communication capabilities even when systems were compromised or damaged. You developed and implemented workarounds to keep networks operational under duress.
Your expertise in maintaining functionality during disruptions is crucial for disaster recovery, business continuity, and ensuring operational resilience in civilian organizations.
Team Synchronization
You oversaw teams responsible for installing, operating, and maintaining complex communications networks. You ensured everyone worked together seamlessly to achieve mission-critical objectives.
Your experience in coordinating and leading technical teams to achieve common goals makes you an effective leader in any collaborative environment.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Business Process Analyst
SOC 13-1111You've been analyzing and optimizing complex communication networks for years. Now, translate those skills to a business environment. You will map current processes, identify inefficiencies, and design improvements to streamline operations and increase profitability. Your ability to see the big picture and identify bottlenecks will be invaluable.
IT Risk Manager
SOC 11-3021You've been protecting critical communication networks from disruptions and threats. As an IT Risk Manager, you will leverage that experience to assess vulnerabilities, develop security protocols, and implement safeguards to protect valuable data and systems. Your familiarity with degraded-mode operations is crucial.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071You're a master of coordinating resources and ensuring smooth operations in high-pressure situations. You've been requesting logistical support for switching teams and shifts. As a Logistics Coordinator, you will apply your expertise to manage the flow of goods, services, and information within an organization, ensuring efficiency and timely delivery.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Signal OSUT, Fort Eisenhower, GA
Topics Covered
- •Basic Electronics
- •Networking Fundamentals
- •Switching Systems Operation
- •COMSEC Management
- •Power Generation and Distribution
- •Network Management
- •Troubleshooting and Maintenance
- •Radio Interface Procedures
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of broader networking concepts outside of military-specific systems, including commercial network architectures and troubleshooting methodologies. Focus on IPv6, cloud networking, and network security best practices.
While the military experience covers COMSEC and security protocols, this requires additional study in areas like risk management, compliance, and the latest threat landscape in the commercial sector.
The 25F role provides a foundation in networking. Study routing and switching fundamentals, IP addressing, network security, and automation using Cisco technologies. Requires hands-on lab experience with Cisco equipment.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) | Mobile network infrastructure (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia) |
| Tactical Network (TacNet) | Software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for tactical communication |
| Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) Network | Encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs) for secure data transmission |
| Combat Net Radio (CNR) | Two-way radio communication systems (e.g., Motorola, Kenwood) with encryption capabilities |
| Joint Network Management System (JNMS) | Network performance monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Datadog) |
| Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) systems (Remedy, ServiceNow) | IT service management platforms |
| Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems (Defense Switched Network) | Cisco, Avaya VoIP phone systems |
| KG-175D TACLANE encryptor | Commercial data encryption appliances (e.g., Thales, Gemalto) |
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