Avionics Technician
$75KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA A&P Certification
- — Specific aircraft model training
Live · Guide v1.026M · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262027 Cohort · Applications Open
ARMY · 26MCareer Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.26M.R.04
26M · ARMY · EnlistedAerial Surveillance Radar
Aerial Surveillance Radar
Repairer.
Army 26M (Aerial Surveillance Radar Repairer). 920 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$80K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours920DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended (estimated)
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
This career guide was generated using AI analysis of military job code data. Salary figures, certification coverage percentages, and career matches are estimates — verify with official sources before making career decisions.
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 26M 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 26M training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01Radar Principles and Operation→ Understanding of signal processing and data acquisition
- 02Troubleshooting Techniques→ Debugging and problem-solving skills
- 03Use of Test Equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators)→ Familiarity with electronic testing and measurement
- 04Technical Documentation and Reporting→ Creating and maintaining clear, concise documentation
- 05System Modeling→ Ability to understand and troubleshoot complex systems
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to following established procedures and regulations
- 07Resource Optimization→ Effectively managing resources, including materials, personnel, and time
- 08After-Action Analysis→ Ability to learn from past events, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions
To learn10
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible)+CI/CD Pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI)+Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)+Cloud Platforms+Server Administration (Linux, Windows Server)+Networking Fundamentals+Scripting (Bash, Python)+CompTIA A++Network+
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, remote-first 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 Technician
$65KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — IPC certification
- — PLC knowledge
Radar Technician
$80KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial radar systems certifications
- — Software defined radio knowledge
Field Service Engineer
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Customer service training
- — Project management skills
Technical Trainer
$70KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Curriculum development
- — Instructional design
- — Excellent communication skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 26M training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Diagnosing failures in complex aerial surveillance radar systems requires understanding the intricate relationships between components and subsystems. This involves creating mental models of how the system should function and identifying deviations from expected behavior to pinpoint the source of malfunctions.
Transfers to
The ability to understand and troubleshoot complex systems translates into strong analytical and problem-solving skills applicable to many technical fields. You're adept at breaking down complex systems into manageable parts, understanding their interactions, and identifying root causes of issues.
Procedural Compliance
Maintenance on sophisticated radar and avionics systems demands strict adherence to detailed technical manuals, safety protocols, and quality control procedures. This ensures accuracy, safety, and proper functionality of critical equipment.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following established procedures and regulations demonstrates a high level of discipline and attention to detail. This is crucial in industries where precision and safety are paramount.
Resource Optimization
As a maintenance supervisor, you're responsible for managing repair parts, supplies, and personnel to ensure efficient and effective maintenance operations. This involves prioritizing tasks, allocating resources strategically, and minimizing downtime to maintain operational readiness.
Transfers to
You have proven experience in effectively managing resources, including materials, personnel, and time. This skill is highly valuable in any role that requires efficient operations and cost control.
After-Action Analysis
Preparing studies, evaluations, and special reports on maintenance operations allows for the identification of trends, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This continuous analysis leads to optimized maintenance strategies and enhanced system performance.
Transfers to
Your experience in conducting after-action analyses demonstrates your ability to learn from past events, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions. This analytical mindset is highly sought after in roles focused on process improvement and 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.
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been maintaining complex electronic systems, troubleshooting failures, and working with specialized tools. Your experience with radar systems translates well to diagnosing and repairing wind turbines, which also rely on sophisticated electronic controls and sensors.
Adjacent · MatchRobotics Technician
SOC 49-9062You've been working on intricate aerial surveillance radar systems and are adept at troubleshooting and repairing complex machinery. This directly translates to robotics, where you'll maintain, repair, and program robotic systems used in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics.
Adjacent · MatchSemiconductor Processing Technician
SOC 17-3029.08Your experience maintaining complex electronic systems and following strict procedures makes you an ideal candidate. You've been trained to adhere to meticulous processes in a highly technical environment, crucial in semiconductor manufacturing.
Adjacent · MatchMedical Equipment Repairer
SOC 49-9062Your expertise in diagnosing and repairing sophisticated radar systems directly aligns with the skills needed to maintain complex medical equipment. You've developed a methodical approach to troubleshooting and a strong understanding of electronic systems.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Aerial Sensor Maintenance Course
Fort Huachuca920hHours
23wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended (estimated)
Topics · 8
- Basic Electronics Theory
- Radar Principles and Operation
- Troubleshooting Techniques
- Use of Test Equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators)
- OV-1 Mohawk Radar Systems Maintenance
- Data Link Equipment Maintenance
- Ground Receiving/Processing Equipment Maintenance
- Technical Documentation and Reporting
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70%
Focus on general electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques outside of radar systems, and specific certification exam topics.
- CompTIA Network+40%
Study networking fundamentals, network security, and network troubleshooting techniques not directly related to radar systems.
- ETA-I Radar Endorsement75%
While experienced in radar maintenance, review the theoretical aspects, advanced troubleshooting, and broader applications beyond the specific military systems.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)Adjacent
- Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
/ 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/APS-94/116 Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) | Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems used in aerial surveying and remote sensing | Signals |
| OV-1 Mohawk Surveillance Aircraft | Fixed-wing aircraft equipped with surveillance sensors used in law enforcement or border patrol | Aviation |
| Data Link Transmitting Equipment (e.g., AN/ASC-30) | Microwave data transmission systems for remote video and data feeds | Operations |
| TM 38-750 (Army Maintenance Management System) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software for tracking maintenance activities and equipment lifecycles | Operations |
| AN/USM-406 Radio Test Set | Aeroflex or Rohde & Schwarz radio test equipment | Operations |
| Prescribed Load List (PLL)/Authorized Stockage List (ASL) | Inventory management systems for tracking and managing spare parts and supplies | Operations |
| Avionics Test Equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers) | General purpose electronic test and measurement equipment for troubleshooting and repair | Signals |
Cohort 2027 · Intake Open
Ship 26M into a software engineering career.
The pathways above are the destination. Vets Who Code is the route: a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for active duty, veterans, and military spouses. 17 weeks at 20–30 hours a week, and a body of work that ships.