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2M073 Career Guide

Air Force

2M073: Power Generation Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Power Generation Systems Technician (2M073)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2M073 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Power Plant Operator

$85K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Power Plant Operations CertificationFamiliarity with specific plant technologies (e.g., coal, nuclear, gas)

HVAC Technician

$60K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

EPA Section 608 CertificationFurther training in modern HVAC systems

Industrial Maintenance Technician

$55K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) TrainingSpecific experience with industrial machinery

Facilities Manager

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP)Budgeting and Financial Management skills

Wind Turbine Technician

$62K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind Turbine Technician CertificationClimbing and rescue trainingAdvanced electrical troubleshooting

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2M073 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You're constantly mentally mapping the complex interactions within power generation, distribution, and environmental control systems. You anticipate how adjustments in one area will ripple through the entire network.

This ability to visualize and understand intricate systems translates directly into designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting complex processes in any industry.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You excel at maintaining functionality and performing repairs under pressure when equipment malfunctions or systems are compromised, ensuring critical operations continue uninterrupted.

This expertise is invaluable in any environment where maintaining uptime and quickly resolving disruptions is paramount. You can keep things running smoothly even when the unexpected occurs.

Situational Awareness

You are trained to constantly monitor system status, environmental conditions, and potential threats to ensure the reliable operation of critical infrastructure. This requires a high degree of vigilance and attention to detail.

This heightened awareness makes you adept at identifying potential problems before they escalate, allowing for proactive intervention and risk mitigation in a variety of settings.

Rapid Prioritization

You're routinely faced with multiple urgent maintenance requests and must quickly assess the criticality of each task to allocate resources effectively and minimize downtime of essential systems.

This skill allows you to efficiently manage competing demands, make critical decisions under pressure, and ensure the most important tasks are addressed first, a valuable asset in any fast-paced environment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9012

You've been maintaining complex environmental control and power systems, making you well-prepared to manage automated building systems. Your experience with diagnosing malfunctions and repairing HVAC and electrical equipment directly translates to this role. Plus, your experience coordinating with contractors will be very helpful.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Specialist

SOC 15-1212

You've been responsible for maintaining the operational readiness of critical systems, and you understand the importance of protecting them from disruptions. Your troubleshooting skills and knowledge of electrical and electronic equipment makes you an ideal candidate to ensure the security of industrial control systems.

Energy Auditor

SOC 13-1199

You've been focused on optimizing power generation and distribution systems. You are perfectly positioned to assess energy usage in buildings and industrial facilities, identify inefficiencies, and recommend solutions to reduce energy consumption and costs. Your knowledge of HVAC and electrical systems makes you a valuable asset.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Power Generation Systems Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Electrical Technology or HVAC Technology

Topics Covered

  • Electrical Theory and Application
  • Diesel Generator Operation and Maintenance
  • Automatic Transfer Switch Operation and Maintenance
  • Environmental Control Systems (HVAC) Operation and Maintenance
  • Power Distribution Systems Troubleshooting
  • Preventative Maintenance Procedures
  • Safety Procedures for High Voltage Systems

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

EPA Section 608 Technician Certification75% covered

Requires studying specific refrigerant handling regulations and passing an exam.

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)30% covered

Needs broader knowledge of reliability engineering principles, asset management strategies, and financial analysis related to maintenance decisions.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety40% covered

Requires additional training on specific OSHA construction safety standards, hazard recognition, and control methods.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Energy Manager (CEM)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Facility Manager (CFM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Diesel Generators (Various Models)Commercial and industrial diesel generator sets (e.g., Caterpillar, Cummins)
Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)Automatic transfer switches for backup power systems
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)Industrial and commercial UPS systems (e.g., APC, Eaton)
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)Industrial automation controllers (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley)
HVAC Systems (Various Models)Commercial and industrial HVAC systems (e.g., Trane, Carrier)
Refrigerant Recovery SystemsHVAC refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment
Multimeters and Electrical Test EquipmentFluke, Keysight, and other professional-grade multimeters and electrical testers
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) SystemsIndustrial control systems for remote monitoring and control (e.g., Schneider Electric, GE Digital)

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