31L Career Guide
31L: Cable Systems Installer-Maintainer
Career transition guide for Army Cable Systems Installer-Maintainer (31L)
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Top civilian roles for 31L veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Telecommunications Technician
Skills to develop:
Network Cabling Installer
Skills to develop:
Field Service Technician
Skills to develop:
Telecommunications Specialist
Skills to develop:
Electronics Technician
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 31L training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
Troubleshooting and maintaining complex cable and wire communication systems requires understanding how individual components interact to form a larger network.
The ability to visualize and understand how different parts of a system connect and affect each other is crucial for effective problem-solving and optimization in various fields.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services) schedules and COMSEC protocols is essential for maintaining operational readiness and security of communications systems.
Meticulous adherence to established procedures ensures consistent quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in highly regulated environments.
Resource Optimization
Coordinating personnel, equipment, and supplies for constructing and maintaining cable and wire communication systems, often under tight deadlines, requires efficient resource allocation.
The ability to effectively manage and allocate resources (time, money, personnel, equipment) to achieve desired outcomes while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining constant awareness of the operational environment, potential threats (electronic countermeasures), and the status of communication networks is critical for ensuring reliable communication and security.
The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on available information is valuable in dynamic and high-pressure situations.
Team Synchronization
Supervising and coordinating the activities of team members in the construction, installation, and recovery of cable and wire communication systems requires precise communication and coordinated effort.
The ability to coordinate and synchronize the actions of a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring that everyone is working efficiently and effectively together.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been working with complex electrical systems and climbing structures to maintain communication lines. As a Wind Turbine Technician, you'll leverage your technical skills to maintain and repair wind turbines, often in challenging outdoor environments. Your experience with diagnostics and preventative maintenance will be directly applicable.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You've honed your skills in troubleshooting and maintaining communications equipment. As an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, you'll apply this expertise to diagnose and repair industrial machinery, ensuring smooth operations in manufacturing and other industries. Your ability to interpret technical manuals and work independently will be a major asset.
Power Plant Operator
SOC 51-8013You've got experience managing complex systems and responding to emergencies to maintain communications. As a Power Plant Operator, you'll monitor and control equipment that generates electrical power. Your ability to maintain situational awareness and follow procedures will be invaluable in ensuring reliable power generation.
HVAC Technician
SOC 49-9021You've worked with electrical systems and environmental controls. As an HVAC Technician, you'll install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Your troubleshooting abilities and attention to detail will translate well to this role.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Cable Systems Installer-Maintainer Course, Fort Eisenhower, GA
Topics Covered
- •Cable and Wire Installation
- •Digital Group Multiplexers (DGM) and Remote Multiplexing Combiners (RMC)
- •COMSEC Equipment Maintenance
- •Cable Fault Detection and Repair
- •Pole Climbing and Line Construction
- •Electronic Countermeasures
- •Power Generator Operation and Maintenance
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of current BICSI standards, specific fiber optic cabling installation techniques and industry best practices for large scale enterprise environments. Focus on advanced testing and troubleshooting methodologies.
Requires study of network design principles, cloud networking concepts, software-defined networking (SDN), and advanced routing protocols. Focus on vendor-neutral networking technologies and troubleshooting tools.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Digital Group Multiplexer (DGM) | Multiplexer (MUX) systems for telecommunications |
| Remote Multiplexing Combiner (RMC) | Remote access servers, network combiners |
| COMSEC devices | Encryption and cybersecurity hardware/software (e.g., FIPS-compliant devices) |
| Tactical cable and wire lines | Fiber optic and copper cabling infrastructure |
| Power Generators (Tactical) | Mobile power generators (e.g., Cummins, Caterpillar) |
| AN/PCC-117F | Secure communications software |
| TRN-170 Tri-band Troposcatter Radio Terminal | Microwave communication systems |
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