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2E051A Career Guide

Air Force

2E051A: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (2E051A)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2E051A veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electronics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Avionics Technician

$82K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FAA A&P License

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific vendor certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)Networking fundamentals

Wind Turbine Technician

$62K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine maintenance trainingSafety certifications (e.g., OSHA 30)Mechanical aptitude

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

$58K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) trainingSpecific machinery maintenance certifications

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E051A training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely create mental models of complex radar systems to understand how each component interacts, predict potential points of failure, and optimize overall system performance.

This skill allows you to understand complex systems, predict potential problems, and optimize performance in any field. You can quickly grasp how different parts of a process or organization work together and identify areas for improvement.

Procedural Compliance

You meticulously follow detailed technical orders and safety regulations when installing, maintaining, and repairing ground radar systems to ensure accuracy, safety, and operational readiness.

Your commitment to following procedures ensures accuracy and safety. You understand the importance of adhering to established protocols and can consistently deliver high-quality results in regulated environments.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are adept at troubleshooting and repairing radar systems under pressure, often in suboptimal conditions, using limited resources, and maintaining critical functionality to support ongoing operations.

Your experience in degraded-mode operations means you excel at problem-solving under pressure, using limited resources, and maintaining functionality in challenging situations. You are resourceful and can think on your feet to find solutions when things don't go as planned.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor radar system performance, environmental conditions, and operational requirements to anticipate potential problems and proactively address them, ensuring continuous and effective radar coverage.

Your strong situational awareness allows you to anticipate potential problems and proactively address them. You are adept at monitoring complex environments, identifying critical information, and making informed decisions to maintain optimal performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've been working with complex electronic systems and understanding how to keep them running smoothly. As an ICS Security Analyst, you'll use that knowledge to protect critical infrastructure systems from cyber threats, a field that desperately needs your expertise. Your experience with radar systems translates directly to securing industrial control systems.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9012

You've been maintaining complex electronic systems. As a Building Automation Systems Technician, you'll be installing, maintaining, and repairing the electronic systems that control modern buildings, like HVAC, lighting, and security. Your troubleshooting and repair skills are highly valuable in this growing field.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099

You've been working with radar systems and understand how to diagnose and repair electronic systems. As a Wind Turbine Technician, you'll be maintaining wind turbines and using your technical expertise to keep these renewable energy sources operating at peak efficiency. It's a challenging and rewarding career where your skills are in high demand.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Radar Systems Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS

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

Topics Covered

  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting
  • Digital Logic and Microprocessors
  • Radar System Components (Transmitters, Receivers, Antennas)
  • Air Traffic Control Radar Systems
  • Weather Radar Systems
  • Ground Aircraft Control and Warning Radar Systems
  • Maintenance and Repair Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Network+70% covered

Focus on the latest networking technologies, cloud networking concepts, and some of the broader networking concepts outside military-specific applications. Review the OSI model in detail.

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60% covered

Broader range of electronics principles, specific troubleshooting techniques outside radar systems, and potentially some recent advancements in consumer electronics.

Recommended Next Certifications

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network AssociateCompTIA Security+Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPS-75 Radar SystemModern air traffic control radar systems like those from Thales or Indra
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance RadarCommercial airport surveillance radar systems
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemsAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders
Ground-to-Air Radio Systems (e.g., AN/GRC-171)Commercial aviation VHF/UHF radio communication systems
Radar Data Remoting SystemsWide-area network (WAN) based data distribution systems
Weather Radar Systems (e.g., AN/FPS-77)Doppler weather radar systems used by meteorological agencies (e.g., Baron Services, AccuWeather)
Electronic Test Equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators)General purpose electronic test and measurement equipment from companies like Keysight, Tektronix, and Rohde & Schwarz

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