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26W Career Guide

Army

26W: Radar Maintenance Supervisor-Inspector

Career transition guide for Army Radar Maintenance Supervisor-Inspector (26W)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 26W veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseSpecific avionics systems training (e.g., Garmin, Collins)

Electronics Engineering Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in Electronics TechnologyProficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Altium)Experience with circuit board design and testing

Field Service Technician (Radar Systems)

$80K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Vendor-specific radar system certifications (e.g., Raytheon, Lockheed Martin)Strong customer service skills

Quality Control Inspector (Electronics)

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Quality Technician (CQT) or Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certificationKnowledge of ISO 9001 standards

Technical Trainer (Electronics/Radar)

$72K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design experienceExcellent presentation and communication skillsCertified Professional in Training and Development (CPTD) certification (optional)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 26W training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You maintained and repaired complex radar systems, requiring you to understand how the different components interact to achieve the overall function. You could diagnose issues by tracing signal flows and understanding the system's intended behavior.

Your ability to understand how complex systems function and diagnose problems translates well to roles where you need to analyze intricate processes and identify areas for improvement.

Procedural Compliance

You adhered to strict maintenance procedures and quality control standards when repairing and inspecting radar equipment. This ensured the systems operated reliably and met required specifications.

Your commitment to following established protocols and maintaining high standards of quality makes you well-suited for roles that require adherence to regulations and detailed processes.

Resource Optimization

As a supervisor, you managed resources effectively, including tools, test equipment, and personnel, to ensure maintenance tasks were completed efficiently and on schedule. You allocated resources based on priority and availability.

Your experience in resource management and task prioritization allows you to excel in roles where you need to allocate resources efficiently and meet deadlines.

Team Synchronization

You coordinated the activities of radar repair teams, ensuring everyone worked together effectively to diagnose and repair complex issues. You provided technical guidance and ensured repairs met required standards.

Your leadership and coordination skills make you capable of leading and synchronizing a team towards a common goal, ensuring everyone is working efficiently and effectively.

After-Action Analysis

You reviewed technical reports and equipment performance data to identify trends and deviations. This analysis helped you recommend design changes, improve work procedures, and address unsatisfactory equipment performance.

Your analytical skills and attention to detail allow you to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven recommendations, contributing to enhanced efficiency and performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been working with complex electronic and mechanical systems, diagnosing and repairing malfunctions using specialized tools and test equipment. This is highly applicable to maintaining wind turbines, which are also complex electromechanical systems requiring similar skills.

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041

You've developed expertise in troubleshooting and repairing sophisticated equipment. This experience translates directly to maintaining and repairing industrial machinery, ensuring smooth operations in manufacturing and other industries. You understand how systems are modeled and how the parts interact with each other.

Quality Control Systems Manager

SOC 11-3051

You've honed your ability to identify deviations and trends in equipment performance and ensure adherence to standards. This makes you a great fit for managing quality control systems, where you'll ensure products and processes meet required standards and regulations. You are already skilled in procedural compliance.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9097

You're already familiar with complex electronic systems and troubleshooting. Robotics technicians work with automated systems, which require similar diagnostic and repair skills, and you can leverage your existing knowledge to excel in this growing field.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Radar Maintenance Supervisor-Inspector Course, Fort Sill, OK

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or management.

Topics Covered

  • Advanced Radar Theory
  • Radar System Troubleshooting
  • Supervisory Leadership
  • Maintenance Management
  • Technical Report Writing
  • Quality Control Procedures
  • Electronic Countermeasures
  • Complex Circuit Analysis

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Study specific civilian electronics applications, troubleshooting techniques, and current industry standards not covered in military radar systems.

CompTIA Network+40% covered

Focus on modern networking concepts, protocols, and security measures relevant to civilian IT infrastructure.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPQ-50 Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR)Ground-based radar systems for perimeter security and threat detection
AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability RadarAdvanced radar systems for weather tracking or air traffic control
AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel RadarShort-range air defense radar systems for civilian infrastructure protection
Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS)Remote weapon systems used in law enforcement or border patrol
Standard Integrated Command Post System (SICPS)Emergency operations center (EOC) software and hardware
Prophet EnhancedSignals intelligence (SIGINT) tools for cybersecurity or competitive intelligence

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