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2E051B Career Guide

Air Force

2E051B: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (2E051B)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2E051B veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificationSpecific aircraft type training

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Networking certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+)Fiber optic installation and repair training

Radar Technician

$82K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

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

Field Service Engineer (Electronics)

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Customer service skillsSpecific product line training (varies by employer)Project Management skills

Wind Turbine Technician

$65K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine safety and maintenance certificationsClimbing and rescue trainingElectrical systems knowledge related to renewable energy

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E051B training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You used system modeling to understand how air traffic control, weather, and radar systems interact, allowing you to troubleshoot and maintain complex integrated networks.

This translates to an ability to visualize and understand complex systems, predict their behavior, and identify potential points of failure – a skill highly valued in many technical and analytical roles.

Procedural Compliance

You strictly adhered to technical orders, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures while installing, repairing, and overhauling radar systems. This ensured accuracy, safety, and operational readiness.

This demonstrates your unwavering commitment to following established protocols, ensuring quality, and minimizing risk – a crucial asset in regulated industries or roles demanding precision and consistency.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were skilled in maintaining functionality and restoring performance under pressure, using creative problem-solving to resolve issues with radar systems and keep them operational in less-than-ideal conditions.

This showcases your capacity to adapt, troubleshoot, and maintain complex systems and equipment even when resources are limited, or standard procedures fail – a highly sought-after trait in dynamic and challenging environments.

After-Action Analysis

You conducted thorough reviews of maintenance activities, identifying areas for improvement in equipment performance, maintenance practices, and overall efficiency.

This demonstrates your ability to learn from experience, critically evaluate processes, and implement effective solutions – a valuable skill for continuous improvement and optimization in any organization.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been working with sophisticated radar and communications equipment, troubleshooting complex technical issues, and ensuring system reliability in challenging environments. This experience is directly transferable to the maintenance and repair of wind turbines, which also require a strong understanding of electrical and mechanical systems, as well as the ability to work independently and solve problems under pressure.

Industrial Automation Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've developed a deep understanding of electronic systems, troubleshooting methodologies, and maintenance protocols while working on ground radar systems. Your familiarity with schematics, test equipment, and repair procedures makes you an excellent fit for maintaining and optimizing automated manufacturing systems.

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9041

You're proficient in maintaining and repairing complex electronic systems and understanding how different components interact to maintain system performance. You can apply this expertise to maintaining and troubleshooting building automation systems, which control HVAC, lighting, security, and other critical functions.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Radar Systems Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

1,200 training hours30 weeksUp to 15 semester hours in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • Digital Circuitry and Microprocessors
  • Radar System Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  • Antenna Theory and Waveguides
  • Transmitter and Receiver Operation
  • Radar System Alignment and Calibration
  • Use of Electronic Test Equipment (Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes)
  • Technical Order Interpretation and Compliance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Requires studying specific electronics principles not explicitly covered in the provided description, such as advanced circuit analysis and specific troubleshooting methodologies relevant to a broad range of electronic devices beyond radar systems.

CompTIA Network+40% covered

The military training covers some networking concepts, but further study is needed on network design, security, and troubleshooting beyond radar-specific communication systems.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)20% covered

While the role involves security aspects of radar systems, it lacks comprehensive coverage of information security principles, risk management, and security architecture required for CISSP.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Radio Frequency Technician (CRFT)Six Sigma Green Belt

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 RadarCommercial airport radar systems
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemsAutomatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transponders
Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) radar systems
Common ARTS (Automated Radar Terminal System)Commercial Air Traffic Control automation platforms (e.g., Raytheon AutoTrac III)
Ground-to-Air Transmitters/ReceiversCommercial aviation VHF/UHF radio communication systems
Radar Data Remoting SystemsRemote telemetry and data acquisition systems used in industrial settings

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