2E171 Career Guide
2E171: Ground Radio Communications Systems Technician
Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radio Communications Systems Technician (2E171)
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Top civilian roles for 2E171 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
Skills to develop:
Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer
Skills to develop:
Network Engineer
Skills to develop:
Satellite Communications Technician
Skills to develop:
Avionics Technician
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 2E171 training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
Troubleshooting complex communication systems requires mentally mapping the interdependencies of various components (transmitters, receivers, antennas, power supplies) to predict how a failure in one area will affect others.
This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates to effectively diagnosing issues, predicting system behavior, and optimizing performance in technology-driven environments.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Maintaining communications under adverse conditions, such as jamming or equipment malfunction, demands the ability to adapt procedures and find alternative solutions to keep systems operational.
Your experience in maintaining functionality during system failures proves your adaptability and resourcefulness to quickly find solutions when challenges arise. This skill is extremely valuable in high-pressure civilian work environments.
Procedural Compliance
Adhering to strict maintenance and safety protocols, technical orders, and documentation procedures is essential for ensuring consistent performance and preventing accidents.
Your commitment to following established procedures, maintaining detailed records, and ensuring compliance with regulations demonstrates reliability and attention to detail.
Situational Awareness
Monitoring system performance, interpreting inspection findings, and understanding the operational environment are necessary to quickly identify potential issues and maintain optimal communication capabilities.
This skill translates to being able to quickly assess new information, anticipate problems, and adjust your actions accordingly.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9081You've been trained to diagnose and repair complex electromechanical systems in challenging environments. Your experience with troubleshooting communication systems and maintaining equipment to precise specifications directly translates to the maintenance and repair of wind turbines.
Industrial Automation Technician
SOC 49-2094You've worked with complex communications equipment and understand electronic circuitry. Your skills in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining RF and satellite communications systems are highly applicable to automated manufacturing systems.
SCADA Systems Specialist
SOC 17-3029You've established and maintained circuits, configured and managed systems and network connectivity. You know how to ensure communication flow. SCADA systems monitor and control industrial processes, requiring your expertise in communication protocols and system diagnostics.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Ground Radio Communications Systems Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
Topics Covered
- •RF Communications Principles
- •Satellite Communications Theory and Operation
- •Wireless Communication Systems Troubleshooting
- •Encryption Devices and Techniques
- •Antenna Theory and Design
- •Spectrum Analyzers and Measurement Techniques
- •Preventive Maintenance Procedures
- •Ground Radio Installation and Configuration
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of specific electronics principles not explicitly covered in the provided description, and hands-on practical application for troubleshooting consumer electronics.
Requires focused study on modern networking concepts, protocols, and security practices relevant to enterprise environments.
Needs additional training on current wireless standards such as Wi-Fi 6/6E/7, Bluetooth, and IoT technologies to meet current industry practices.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/GRC-245 Radio Set | Commercial Microwave Radio Systems (e.g., Aviat Networks, Ericsson) |
| AN/TSC-93 SATCOM Terminal | VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communication systems |
| Harris Falcon III Radios (various models) | Motorola Land Mobile Radio (LMR) or P25 systems |
| KG-series encryption devices | Commercial encryption appliances (e.g., Thales, Gemalto) or software-based VPN solutions |
| HP 8566B Spectrum Analyzer | Keysight or Rohde & Schwarz Spectrum Analyzers |
| Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) | Cable fault locators and network testing tools (e.g., Fluke Networks, Viavi Solutions) |
| Satellite Signal Analyzers | Satellite link monitoring and analysis software (e.g., SatManage, Skyline Communications DataMiner) |
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