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2E653 Career Guide

Air Force

2E653: Client Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Client Systems Technician (2E653)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2E653 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Computer Support Specialist

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

CompTIA A+ Certification

Network Administrator

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Experience with specific network hardware/software

Help Desk Manager

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

ITIL CertificationSupervisory experience in a civilian setting

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications for telecommunications equipment (e.g., fiber optics)Knowledge of civilian telecom standards

Project Manager (IT)

$95K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) CertificationAgile methodologies experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E653 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You develop a mental model of how complex communication systems function, allowing you to quickly diagnose problems and predict the impact of changes.

This ability to visualize and understand intricate systems translates directly to designing, optimizing, or troubleshooting complex civilian infrastructure.

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely assess the severity of network outages and security incidents, quickly determining which issues require immediate attention to minimize disruption.

This skill is invaluable in any fast-paced environment where critical decisions must be made under pressure with limited information.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict protocols for handling sensitive data and cryptographic equipment, ensuring security and preventing unauthorized access.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures makes you ideal for roles requiring strict regulatory compliance and risk management.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are adept at maintaining essential communication services even when key systems are compromised or unavailable, finding creative workarounds to ensure mission continuity.

Your ability to adapt and improvise in challenging situations makes you valuable in disaster recovery, emergency management, or business continuity planning.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9012.00

You've been troubleshooting and maintaining complex communication networks; this translates directly to the intricate systems that control modern buildings, including HVAC, lighting, and security.

SCADA Systems Specialist

SOC 17-3029.08

You've managed and maintained communication systems in diverse environments; your skills are directly applicable to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in industries like utilities, manufacturing, and transportation.

Technical Writer (Cybersecurity Focus)

SOC 27-3042.00

You've documented repair procedures and incident reports; you can leverage your technical knowledge to create clear, concise documentation for cybersecurity products or protocols.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Client Systems Technician Course, Keesler AFB, MS

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Operating System Installation and Configuration
  • Network Fundamentals and Troubleshooting
  • Client Device Management
  • Voice Network Configuration and Maintenance
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS)
  • Cryptographic Client Device Management
  • Security Incident Response
  • IT Project Management

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

CompTIA A+CompTIA Network+CompTIA Security+

Partial Coverage

Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate70% covered

Focus on advanced Windows 10 configuration, deployment, and management using Microsoft 365 services like Intune and Azure Active Directory.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)60% covered

In-depth study of Cisco networking technologies, routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), switching concepts (VLANs, STP), and Cisco IOS configuration.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

Requires extensive study of all eight domains of information security, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security. Also requires 5 years of experience.

Recommended Next Certifications

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator AssociateProject Management Professional (PMP)ITIL 4 FoundationCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP Plant Maintenance
Remedy Help Desk SystemIT Service Management (ITSM) platforms like ServiceNow or Jira Service Management
Air Force Network (AFNET)Enterprise network infrastructure (Cisco, Juniper)
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systemsCisco Unified Communications Manager, Avaya Communication Manager
Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS)Mobile device management (MDM) solutions like Microsoft Intune or VMware Workspace ONE
Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI)Hardware Security Modules (HSM) or Key Management Systems (KMS)
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guides)CIS (Center for Internet Security) Benchmarks

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