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2E031 Career Guide

Air Force

2E031: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (2E031)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2E031 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electronics Engineer

$105K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related fieldFamiliarity with industry-standard design software (e.g., Altium, Cadence)

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseSpecific experience on civilian aircraft models

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications for telecommunications equipment (e.g., Cisco, CompTIA Network+)Knowledge of current telecommunications standards and protocols

Radar Technician

$82K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial radar systems experienceSpecific radar equipment certifications

Wind Turbine Technician

$65K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine technician certificationSafety training (e.g., OSHA 10/30)Climbing and rescue training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E031 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 2E031, you were responsible for understanding how various complex radar systems and their subsystems interacted. You used schematics and diagrams to trace signal flows and predict the impact of failures or modifications on the overall system performance.

Your ability to understand and predict how complex systems behave translates directly to designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing processes in many civilian industries. You can quickly grasp the interdependencies within a system and anticipate potential problems.

Procedural Compliance

Your role demanded strict adherence to technical orders, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures. You consistently followed detailed protocols for installation, repair, and testing to ensure system reliability and personnel safety.

Your ingrained discipline in following established procedures is highly valuable in regulated industries where adherence to standards is critical. You understand the importance of consistent execution and documentation.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You have experience troubleshooting and repairing complex systems under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You were able to maintain critical system functionality even when facing component failures or environmental challenges.

Your ability to adapt and problem-solve under duress is a sought-after skill in many civilian roles. You can remain calm and effective when systems fail or unexpected issues arise, ensuring minimal disruption and rapid recovery.

Situational Awareness

You were responsible for maintaining awareness of the operational status of radar systems, understanding their limitations, and anticipating potential impacts on air traffic control or defense operations. This required constant monitoring and quick decision-making.

Your heightened awareness of the surrounding environment and the ability to anticipate potential problems makes you adept at risk management and proactive decision-making. You can quickly assess situations and take appropriate action to mitigate threats or capitalize on opportunities.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems Technician

SOC 49-2094.00

You've been maintaining sophisticated radar systems – that's directly applicable to industrial control systems (ICS) used in manufacturing, energy, and other industries. Your skills in troubleshooting, repairing, and calibrating complex electronics will make you a valuable asset in ensuring the smooth operation of critical infrastructure.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062.00

You've worked on radar systems with complex moving parts and electronic controls. Robotics relies on similar principles. Your skills in diagnosing and repairing electromechanical systems, coupled with your understanding of system integration, make you an excellent candidate for maintaining and improving robotic systems in manufacturing or logistics.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've honed your skills maintaining complex electronic and mechanical systems, often in challenging outdoor environments. Your experience with radar systems translates well to the maintenance and repair of wind turbines, which require similar expertise in troubleshooting electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components. Plus, your knowledge of safety procedures and technical documentation is directly applicable.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Radar Systems Maintenance Course, Keesler AFB, MS

1,120 training hours28 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • Ground Radar System Components (Transmitters, Receivers, Antennas)
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Troubleshooting and Maintenance Procedures
  • Electronic Test Equipment Operation and Calibration
  • Grounding and Shielding Techniques
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) Systems Integration
  • Technical Order (TO) Interpretation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Focus on specific electronics troubleshooting techniques, industry standards, and current technologies not explicitly covered in military training. Review topics like digital logic, microprocessors, and communication systems in detail.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

While experience covers networking concepts, study specific networking protocols (TCP/IP, routing), network security, and troubleshooting methodologies relevant to civilian networks. Focus on current network hardware and software.

Certified Engineering Technologist (CET)65% covered

Study specific engineering principles, advanced mathematics, and physics concepts. Understand the engineering design process and documentation procedures. Familiarize yourself with engineering ethics and professional responsibilities.

Recommended Next Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Project Management Professional (PMP)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/TPS-75 Radar SystemLong-range air surveillance radar systems used at civilian airports
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance RadarCivilian airport surveillance radar for air traffic control
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemsSecondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponders used in civilian aviation
Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)Long-range radar systems used by the FAA for en route air traffic control
Video Mapper SystemsGeographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping software used in logistics and transportation
Ground-to-Air Radio Communication SystemsLand Mobile Radio (LMR) systems used by public safety and transportation agencies
Radar Test Sets (e.g., AN/UPM-155)Spectrum analyzers and signal generators used in telecommunications and electronics testing

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