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35W Career Guide

Army

35W: Electronic Maintenance Technician

Career transition guide for Army Electronic Maintenance Technician (35W)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 35W veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electronics Technician

$65K
High matchStable demand

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific vendor certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)Fiber optic cable installation and splicing

Maintenance Manager

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)OSHA safety standards

IT Support Specialist

$55K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

CompTIA A+ certificationNetworking fundamentalsHelp desk experience

Technical Trainer

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesCurriculum developmentExcellent communication skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 35W training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You maintained and repaired complex electronic systems, understanding how each component interacted and contributed to the overall function. You diagnosed faults by mentally tracing signal flows and predicting the impact of failures.

This skill translates directly to the ability to understand and manage complex systems in a civilian context, whether it's a software platform, a manufacturing process, or a financial network.

Procedural Compliance

You adhered to strict maintenance procedures and protocols, ensuring that all work was performed to standard and in accordance with regulations. This was critical for maintaining the reliability and security of sensitive communications equipment.

Your meticulous approach to following procedures makes you an ideal candidate for roles requiring strict adherence to regulations and quality control.

Resource Optimization

You managed resources to ensure that maintenance operations were efficient and effective, allocating personnel, equipment, and supplies to maximize uptime and minimize downtime. You were responsible for keeping things running smoothly with what you had.

Your knack for optimizing resources makes you capable of managing budgets, schedules, and personnel in civilian industries, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.

Team Synchronization

You likely led teams of technicians, coordinating their efforts to diagnose and repair equipment efficiently. You ensured that everyone was working together seamlessly, especially under pressure.

This capacity for team synchronization makes you a natural leader, capable of motivating and coordinating teams to achieve common goals.

Situational Awareness

You maintained awareness of the operational environment to anticipate maintenance needs and prioritize tasks accordingly. You understood how equipment failures could impact overall mission readiness.

Your strong situational awareness allows you to proactively identify potential issues and respond effectively, a valuable asset in dynamic and fast-paced civilian environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been rigorously trained to adhere to procedures and regulations, making you exceptionally well-prepared to ensure companies comply with industry standards and legal requirements.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've been managing resources and coordinating maintenance operations, you already have the necessary skills to excel in logistics, ensuring the efficient flow of goods and services.

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

You've been inspecting maintenance activities for compliance with repair priorities and quality control, you are equipped to manage quality assurance programs, ensuring products and services meet the highest standards.

IT Systems Manager

SOC 11-3021.00

You've been troubleshooting and maintaining complex electronic systems, you have a natural aptitude for managing IT systems, ensuring their reliability and security.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Electronic Maintenance Technician Course, Fort Gordon

910 training hours26 weeksUp to 20 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Electronic principles and troubleshooting
  • Communication security (COMSEC) maintenance
  • Calibration and repair of test equipment
  • Maintenance of radio communication systems
  • Satellite communication systems maintenance
  • Network troubleshooting
  • Army maintenance management procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA A+70% covered

Study PC hardware troubleshooting, mobile device repair, operating system configuration, networking fundamentals, and security best practices.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Focus on network security, troubleshooting, and advanced configurations beyond military-specific equipment.

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)80% covered

Review broader electronics theory, industry standards, and specific testing/certification procedures required for CET.

Recommended Next Certifications

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

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack RadioHarris Falcon III series tactical radios
AN/VRC-103 Vehicular Radio SystemMotorola MOTOTRBO mobile two-way radios
AN/PSC-5D Enhanced Manpack UHF Terminal (EMUT)Satellite communication terminals (e.g., Inmarsat, Iridium)
Communication Security (COMSEC) equipment (e.g., KY-100)Encryption devices and software (e.g., Thales, Gemalto)
Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE)Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators (e.g., Tektronix, Keysight)
Standard Army Maintenance System - Enhanced (SAMS-E)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software (e.g., IBM Maximo, SAP Plant Maintenance)
Forward Repair System (FRS)Mobile repair workshops and field service vehicles

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