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30472 Career Guide

Air Force

30472: Airfield Systems Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Airfield Systems Specialist (30472)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 30472 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certification

Electronics Technician

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) training

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Fiber optic certificationNetworking certifications (e.g., CCNA)

Wind Turbine Technician

$62K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Safety training (e.g., OSHA 30)Climbing and rescue certificationSpecific wind turbine manufacturer training

Field Service Engineer

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Excellent customer service skillsStrong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilitiesSpecific product knowledge related to the industry (e.g., medical equipment, industrial machinery)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 30472 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Airfield Systems specialists analyze complex interconnected systems of meteorological, navigational, and air traffic control equipment to ensure proper functionality and integration.

You can apply your understanding of how different components interact within a system to predict behavior, identify potential issues, and optimize performance in civilian settings.

Procedural Compliance

This role requires strict adherence to maintenance management publications, procedures, safety standards, and technical directives to ensure the safety and reliability of airfield systems.

You are skilled at following established protocols and guidelines with precision, ensuring consistent and safe operations in regulated environments.

Situational Awareness

Airfield Systems specialists must maintain awareness of environmental conditions, system performance, and operational requirements to effectively troubleshoot problems and maintain system readiness.

You can quickly assess dynamic situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions to maintain stability and efficiency.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Airfield Systems specialists are adept at maintaining critical systems and performing repairs under pressure, in austere environments, often with limited resources, to ensure continued functionality.

You excel at maintaining operational effectiveness and resolving issues even when systems are not functioning optimally or resources are constrained.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in a world where strict adherence to regulations and procedures is paramount. Your experience interpreting technical specifications, ensuring compliance with maintenance management publications, and enforcing safety standards translates directly to a Compliance Officer role. You'll be ensuring that an organization adheres to both internal policies and external regulations, leveraging your keen eye for detail and commitment to maintaining order.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9081.00

Your expertise in installing, maintaining, and repairing complex electronic and mechanical systems, along with your experience in troubleshooting and diagnosing malfunctions, is highly relevant to the role of a Wind Turbine Technician. You're already skilled at working with specialized test equipment, interpreting technical diagrams, and ensuring optimal performance in demanding environments, making this a natural fit for your skill set.

Quality Assurance Analyst

SOC 19-4041.00

You've developed a sharp eye for detail through the process of maintaining and inspecting airfield systems. Your experience in analyzing equipment performance trends, interpreting inspection findings, and ensuring compliance aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of a Quality Assurance Analyst. You'll be responsible for identifying defects and ensuring products or services meet the required quality standards.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Airfield Systems Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS

1,120 training hours28 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology, telecommunications, or aviation maintenance.

Topics Covered

  • Airfield Navigation Systems Theory
  • Ground-to-Air Radio Systems Maintenance
  • Meteorological Equipment Maintenance
  • Air Traffic Control Systems Installation and Repair
  • Antenna Systems Theory and Maintenance
  • Flight Inspection Procedures
  • Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting
  • Preventative Maintenance and Corrosion Control

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Requires studying specific electronics theory, troubleshooting techniques, and knowledge of various electronic components not explicitly covered in the military training. Focus on analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, and communication systems.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Requires studying network concepts, security, and troubleshooting techniques. Military training covers some networking aspects, but additional study is needed for complete coverage of the Network+ exam objectives, especially in areas like network security and cloud networking.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)ITIL 4 Foundation

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TRN-48 TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation)Civilian TACAN or DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) navigational beacons
AN/MRN-68 VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range)Commercial VOR systems used for aircraft navigation
Instrument Landing System (ILS)Commercial Instrument Landing Systems
AN/TPN-19 Landing Control CentralMobile air traffic control towers
Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR)Commercial Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)
NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface)GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers and distribution systems
TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS)Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) or other commercial weather monitoring stations

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