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27Q Career Guide

Army

27Q: Missile Systems Maintenance Technician

Career transition guide for Army Missile Systems Maintenance Technician (27Q)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 27Q veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license

Electronics Technician

$65K
High matchStable demand

Field Service Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong customer service skillsSpecific product training

Mechatronics Technician

$68K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

PLC ProgrammingRobotics Certification

Quality Control Inspector

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ certificationKnowledge of ISO 9001 standards

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 27Q training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Maintaining complex weapons systems like PERSHING, MLRS, and FAAR requires a deep understanding of how these systems operate and how their components interact. Troubleshooting involves mentally modeling the system to predict failures and pinpoint the source of problems.

The ability to understand complex systems and their interactions translates to effectively managing and improving processes in various industries.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Working on and maintaining critical defense systems means you need to be able to diagnose and repair equipment under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You're skilled at keeping systems operational even when things aren't perfect.

The capacity to troubleshoot and maintain functionality during system failures or unexpected issues is valuable in any environment where uptime and reliability are paramount.

Procedural Compliance

Maintenance on sophisticated weapons systems requires strict adherence to detailed technical manuals and safety protocols. You're trained to follow procedures meticulously to ensure both operational effectiveness and safety.

Your ability to follow established procedures and protocols ensures quality, reduces errors, and maintains a safe working environment.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining and repairing weapons systems demands constant awareness of the environment, including potential hazards, ongoing operations, and the status of other related systems. This helps ensure safe and effective maintenance practices.

The capacity to perceive and understand the operational environment allows you to anticipate problems, adapt to changing conditions, and make well-informed decisions.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

SOC 49-9041

You've been maintaining complex military equipment, so you already have the hands-on skills to diagnose and repair industrial machinery, ensuring smooth operations in manufacturing and production environments.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099

You've been working with complex electromechanical systems and troubleshooting intricate problems. This experience translates directly to the wind energy sector, where you'll maintain and repair wind turbines, ensuring a sustainable energy source.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9092

Your expertise in maintaining and repairing advanced weapons systems equips you to excel in robotics. You'll be installing, maintaining, and repairing robots used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Missile Systems Maintenance Course, Redstone Arsenal, AL

840 training hours21 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology or electromechanical maintenance

Topics Covered

  • Basic Electronics Theory
  • Missile System Component Identification
  • Troubleshooting Procedures
  • Preventative Maintenance on Missile Systems
  • Use of Diagnostic Equipment
  • Land Combat Support System (LCSS) Maintenance
  • Forward Area Alerting Radar (FAAR) Maintenance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Requires study of current electronics industry standards, troubleshooting techniques for modern components, and hands-on experience with civilian electronic systems.

CompTIA A+50% covered

Requires studying current computer hardware, operating systems, networking, and security concepts relevant to modern IT environments.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
PERSHING Missile SystemLarge-scale industrial control systems, SCADA systems
Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided missile (TOW)Robotics control systems, guided vehicle technology
DRAGON Missile SystemPortable missile guidance systems, remote control systems
SHILLELAGH Missile SystemInfrared guided systems, advanced optics maintenance
LANCE Missile SystemLong-range telemetry systems, control systems
Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)Automated launch systems, industrial robotics
Forward Area Alerting Radar (FAAR)Perimeter security radar systems, weather radar maintenance
SGT YORK gun systemAutomated gun systems, robotics

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