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2E471 Career Guide

Air Force

2E471: RF Transmission Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force RF Transmission Systems Technician (2E471)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2E471 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Fiber optic splicing certificationSpecific vendor certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)

Electronics Technician

$68K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in electronics technologyCompTIA A+ certification

Network Engineer

$95K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA Network+ certificationBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Avionics Technician

$72K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseSpecific avionics systems training

Field Service Engineer

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong customer service skillsSpecific product training related to the equipment servicedProject management skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E471 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely analyze complex communication systems, understanding how various components interact and affect overall performance, allowing you to troubleshoot and optimize network configurations.

This ability to understand complex systems translates to skills in designing, analyzing, and improving various types of systems, including IT infrastructure or logistical networks.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You maintain communication systems under pressure, finding solutions and maintaining operations even when facing equipment malfunctions, signal jamming, or adverse environmental conditions.

The ability to maintain functionality under duress is highly valuable for roles requiring quick thinking, problem-solving, and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor communication networks, interpreting data and environmental factors to anticipate potential problems and ensure continuous, reliable connectivity.

Maintaining awareness of the overall environment and anticipating potential issues is essential for roles in security, project management, and emergency response.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict maintenance procedures and protocols when installing, repairing, and troubleshooting communication equipment, ensuring accuracy and safety.

Following established procedures and documenting activities is a valuable asset in regulated industries, guaranteeing adherence to quality standards and legal requirements.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems Technician

SOC 49-9044.00

You've been maintaining and troubleshooting sophisticated communication systems, skills directly applicable to the maintenance and repair of industrial control systems in manufacturing and utilities. Your experience with RF equipment and system diagnostics gives you a head start!

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9081.00

Wind turbines are complex systems requiring regular maintenance and troubleshooting. You've been working with electronics and complex systems in harsh environments, which translates directly to the demands of this field. Plus, your experience with communication systems applies to the turbine's control and monitoring systems.

Geospatial Technician

SOC 17-3022.00

You've been working with radio frequency wireless, line-of-sight, beyond line-of-sight, wideband, and ground-based satellite systems, and that experience will translate nicely into managing geospatial data, operating remote sensing systems, and creating detailed maps and models of the Earth's surface. You have the technical skills to succeed in this growing field.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Radio Frequency Transmission Systems Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

1,152 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • RF Transmission Principles
  • Satellite Communications Theory and Operation
  • Wireless Communication Systems
  • Cryptographic Equipment Maintenance
  • Antenna Theory and Design
  • Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Spectrum Analysis

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)70% covered

Study specific vendor-neutral wireless networking concepts, standards (802.11), security protocols, and troubleshooting techniques beyond military-specific equipment. Focus on the latest CWNA exam objectives.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Focus study on non-military specific networking concepts, topologies, and troubleshooting. Pay particular attention to cloud networking and virtualization, and the latest exam objectives.

Recommended Next Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA Security+Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TRC-170 Tropospheric Scatter Microwave Radio TerminalHigh-capacity microwave backhaul systems
AN/TSC-93E Satellite Communications TerminalCommercial satellite communication systems (e.g., VSAT, iDirect platforms)
Phoenix SATCOM SystemDeployable satellite communication solutions (e.g., emergency communication systems)
Ground Multiband Multimission Terminal (GMMT)Multi-band satellite terminals
KG-84/KG-250 Inline Network Encryptor (INE)Commercial network encryption devices (e.g., FIPS-compliant encryptors)
Spectrum Analyzers (e.g., Agilent/Keysight)Commercial spectrum analyzers (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz)
Power Meters (e.g., Bird Technologies)Commercial RF power meters (e.g., Bird, Keysight)

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