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2E032 Career Guide

Air Force

2E032: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (2E032)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2E032 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA A&P Certification

Electronics Technician

$65K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Specialized certifications related to industry (e.g., CompTIA)Experience with specific electronic systems

Radar Technician

$80K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific radar system certifications (e.g., marine radar)Familiarity with civilian air traffic control systems

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)Knowledge of current telecommunications protocols

Wind Turbine Technician

$62K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine specific safety certificationsMechanical repair skillsClimbing and rescue training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E032 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely use schematics and diagrams to understand the intricate relationships between components in ground radar systems, allowing you to efficiently troubleshoot and repair complex issues.

Your ability to understand and interpret complex system diagrams translates to a strong aptitude for understanding and optimizing complex systems in civilian industries.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict maintenance and installation policies and procedures, ensuring all work meets established standards and regulations.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures makes you exceptionally reliable in roles where consistency and accuracy are paramount.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are skilled at diagnosing and repairing systems under pressure, ensuring critical radar functions are restored even when facing malfunctions or limited resources.

Your experience in maintaining operational readiness during malfunctions means you remain calm and effective in high-pressure situations, a highly desirable trait in many civilian roles.

Resource Optimization

You establish requirements for tools, support equipment, personnel, supplies, and technical documents to ensure efficient maintenance operations.

Your ability to manage resources effectively translates to efficient project management and cost savings in a civilian context.

Situational Awareness

You are responsible for understanding the operational status of radar systems and their impact on overall mission success, requiring constant vigilance and assessment.

Your heightened awareness of your environment and the status of complex systems ensures you can quickly identify and address potential issues, a valuable asset in dynamic civilian settings.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been working with complex electromechanical systems in radar technology, which shares many similarities with wind turbine technology. Your skills in troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair are directly transferable, and your experience with safety protocols will be invaluable.

Industrial Automation Technician

SOC 49-2094

You've been maintaining and repairing ground radar systems, involving sophisticated electronics and control systems. Your experience in troubleshooting, calibration, and system optimization will enable you to excel in maintaining and improving automated manufacturing processes.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9012

You've been installing, maintaining, and repairing complex radar systems, your experience with electrical systems, control systems, and troubleshooting is highly relevant to building automation. You'll be responsible for ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of building systems, using your diagnostic and repair skills.

Amusement Park Ride Mechanic

SOC 49-9091

You've been working on safety-critical radar systems and associated equipment. Your expertise in mechanics, electronics, and safety protocols makes you well-suited to ensuring the safe and reliable operation of amusement park rides.

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
  • Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting
  • Antenna Systems and Waveguides
  • Transmitter and Receiver Maintenance
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Radar System Alignment and Calibration
  • Network Communication Protocols
  • Security Protocols and Compliance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Study consumer electronics, digital circuits, and specific troubleshooting techniques not covered in military radar systems.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Focus on modern networking protocols, cloud networking, and software-defined networking (SDN) concepts.

FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)80% covered

Brush up on maritime radio, aircraft radio, and amateur radio regulations. Review topics such as two-tone sequential paging, digital selective calling (DSC), and public coast stations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)CCNA SecurityAWS Certified Security - Specialty

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPS-75 RadarAirport Surveillance Radar (ASR) systems
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance RadarCivilian Air Traffic Control Radar
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemsSecondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
ATC Remoting SystemsRemote Tower Systems (RTS)
Video Mappers (Radar Displays)Geographic Information System (GIS) software with real-time data overlay
Ground-to-Air Radio Communication SystemsLand Mobile Radio (LMR) systems for critical communications
Radar Test Sets (e.g., AN/USM-603)Electronic test and measurement equipment (e.g., signal generators, spectrum analyzers)
AN/TPX-42A Interrogator SetAir traffic control transponder testing equipment

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