2A136 Career Guide
2A136: Airborne Mission Systems Specialist
Career transition guide for Air Force Airborne Mission Systems Specialist (2A136)
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Top civilian roles for 2A136 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Avionics Technician
Network Engineer
Skills to develop:
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
Skills to develop:
Field Service Engineer (Electronic Systems)
Skills to develop:
Technical Trainer (Aerospace/Defense)
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 2A136 training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
Troubleshooting complex airborne systems requires building a mental model of how the system should function under normal conditions to identify deviations and predict the impact of malfunctions.
The ability to understand and predict how complex systems behave, which allows for effective troubleshooting and optimization.
Rapid Prioritization
During flight, quickly assessing and prioritizing equipment malfunctions based on their impact on mission success and safety is crucial.
The capability to swiftly evaluate situations, identify critical issues, and prioritize actions based on their importance and urgency.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining constant awareness of the aircraft's environment, system status, and potential threats is essential for safe and effective mission execution.
The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, system conditions, and potential risks to make informed decisions.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Operating and maintaining airborne systems under stressful conditions, such as equipment malfunctions or combat situations, requires adapting to suboptimal performance and finding creative solutions.
The capacity to maintain functionality and achieve objectives even when systems are compromised or resources are limited, often requiring innovative problem-solving.
Team Synchronization
As part of an aircrew, coordinating actions and communicating effectively with other crew members is vital for mission success and safety.
The ability to work seamlessly with others, coordinating tasks, and communicating clearly to achieve shared objectives.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086.00You've been maintaining complex airborne systems, often under pressure, which means you already have a solid foundation in mechanics, electronics, and troubleshooting. Your experience with diagnostics and repair translates directly to maintaining wind turbines, ensuring they operate efficiently and safely.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041.00Your experience with airborne systems has given you a strong foundation in mechanics, electronics, and troubleshooting. You're adept at diagnosing and repairing complex machinery. As an industrial machinery mechanic, you'll use these skills to keep factories running smoothly.
Avionics Technician (Civilian)
SOC 49-2091.00You've honed your skills in avionics in the military. Civilian airlines and private aviation companies need skilled technicians. You already have the core knowledge and experience to excel in this role.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Airborne Mission Systems Specialist Technical Training, Keesler AFB, MS
Topics Covered
- •Airborne Communication Systems Operation and Maintenance
- •Airborne Sensor Systems Operation and Maintenance
- •Computer Systems and Network Fundamentals
- •Electronic Warfare Systems Principles
- •In-Flight Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures
- •Aircrew Coordination and Emergency Procedures
- •Communication Security (COMSEC) Procedures
- •Aerospace Physiology
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While your experience covers a large portion of networking concepts, review the OSI model, subnetting, routing protocols, and network security best practices to fully prepare for the exam.
You'll need to study up on the latest cybersecurity threats, vulnerability management, risk assessment frameworks, and compliance regulations to fill the gaps.
Focus study on civilian electronic systems, troubleshooting methodologies, and industry-specific standards as military equipment and procedures may differ.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| ARC-210 RT-1921(P) Airborne VHF/UHF Radio | Commercial VHF/UHF aviation band transceivers (e.g., Garmin GTR 225, Icom A220) |
| AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponder | Civilian Mode S transponders used in commercial aviation (e.g., Garmin GTX 335, Trig TT31) |
| AN/ALR-69 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) | Avionics radar detectors and threat library systems for civilian aircraft (limited equivalent) |
| MIL-STD-1553 Data Bus | ARINC 429 data bus used in commercial avionics systems |
| Secure Voice/Data Encryption Devices (e.g., KG-175 TACLANE) | Commercial VPNs and encryption software (e.g., Cisco VPN, AES encryption) |
| Airborne Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Systems | Commercial satellite internet and communication systems for aviation (e.g., Inmarsat, Iridium) |
| Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors | High-resolution aerial camera systems and thermal imaging cameras for surveying or inspection purposes (e.g., FLIR cameras, drone-mounted cameras) |
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