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2884 Career Guide

Marine Corps

2884: Ground Radar Maintenance Specialist

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Ground Radar Maintenance Specialist (2884)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2884 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Radar Technician

$75K
High matchStable demand

Avionics Technician

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license

Electronics Technician

$68K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specialized electronics certifications

Wind Turbine Technician

$62K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine safety trainingClimbing and rescue certificationElectrical systems knowledge

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Fiber optic cable installationNetworking certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2884 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Ground radar maintenance requires understanding how individual components interact within the radar system to ensure accurate tracking and detection. You mentally model the entire system to diagnose issues.

The ability to understand complex systems and their interdependencies translates to designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing various processes in civilian industries.

Procedural Compliance

Strict adherence to maintenance manuals and safety protocols is paramount when working with radar systems. You follow detailed procedures to ensure proper operation and prevent damage or injury.

Meticulous adherence to protocols and regulations is crucial in many civilian sectors. This skill ensures consistent and safe practices, particularly in highly regulated industries.

Degraded-Mode Operations

When components fail or conditions are less than optimal, you're trained to keep the radar operational, even if at reduced capacity. You adapt your procedures and find workarounds to maintain functionality.

This ability to adapt and maintain functionality under pressure is highly valuable in any field. You can troubleshoot issues and find alternative solutions when faced with unexpected challenges or resource limitations.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of the radar's environment, potential interference, and changes in operational requirements is critical for effective radar maintenance. You stay vigilant to optimize performance.

Staying attuned to changing circumstances and potential risks is crucial for effective decision-making and problem-solving in diverse civilian roles. You can anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been working with complex electronic and mechanical systems in radar maintenance, including troubleshooting, repair, and preventative maintenance. This directly translates to maintaining wind turbines, which involve similar skills in a different context.

Amusement and Recreation Mechanic

SOC 49-9091

You've been installing, inspecting, testing, and repairing radar sets. This experience provides a solid foundation for working on the electromechanical systems found in amusement park rides, and like the radar sets that you maintained, safety is paramount.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9021

Your experience in system modeling and maintaining electronic equipment lends itself well to this role. You've been trained to understand complex systems, troubleshoot malfunctions, and ensure optimal performance.

Training & Education Equivalencies

AN/PPS-15 and AN/PPN-19 Radar Maintenance Course, Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, Twentynine Palms, CA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • AN/PPS-15 Lightweight Search Radar System Maintenance
  • AN/PPN-19 Radar Transponder System Maintenance
  • Preventive Maintenance Procedures
  • Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
  • Repair and Calibration Techniques
  • Technical Documentation and Schematics
  • Operational Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Requires study of broader electronics principles, troubleshooting techniques, and specific civilian equipment not covered in military training.

CompTIA Network+40% covered

Needs supplemental training on network infrastructure, protocols, and security concepts relevant to civilian IT environments.

Recommended Next Certifications

CompTIA Security+Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PPS-15 Lightweight Ground Surveillance Radar (LGSR)Ground-based motion detection radar systems used in security, surveillance, and automated vehicle detection.
AN/PPN-19 Radar TransponderAircraft transponders, marine radar, or other identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems used in aviation, maritime, or other transportation contexts.
AN/USM-636 OscilloscopeDigital Oscilloscope used for electronic testing and troubleshooting. Examples include Tektronix, Keysight, or Fluke models.
AN/PRC-117G RadioMotorola or Harris handheld radios
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Civilian equivalents include ESRI ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis, coupled with database management systems (DBMS) like Oracle or PostgreSQL for data storage and retrieval.
Common Hardware Systems (CHS)Ruggedized computer systems from vendors such as Dell, Panasonic, or Getac.

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