39W Career Guide
39W: Radar and Special Electronic Devices Repairer
Career transition guide for Army Radar and Special Electronic Devices Repairer (39W)
Translate Your 39W Experience Now
Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.
Start Free TranslationCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 39W veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Electronics Technician
Avionics Technician
Skills to develop:
Field Service Engineer
Skills to develop:
Maintenance Supervisor
Skills to develop:
Technical Trainer
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 39W training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
Understanding how various electronic components and systems interact within radar and specialized electronic devices to ensure proper functionality and troubleshoot issues effectively.
Analyzing complex systems to understand their interdependencies, predict behavior, and optimize performance. This includes identifying potential points of failure and developing strategies for system improvement.
Rapid Prioritization
Quickly assessing and prioritizing maintenance tasks based on the criticality of equipment, mission requirements, and available resources to minimize downtime and maintain operational readiness.
Evaluating competing demands and determining the most urgent and impactful actions to take under pressure, ensuring that critical tasks are addressed promptly and efficiently.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating the activities of subordinate personnel to ensure that maintenance tasks are completed efficiently and effectively, maintaining clear communication channels and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Orchestrating the efforts of a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring that everyone is working in harmony and that tasks are completed on time and within budget.
Procedural Compliance
Adhering to established policies and procedures for maintenance, calibration, and installation of electronic equipment to ensure safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
Following standardized protocols and guidelines to maintain consistency, accuracy, and safety in all operations, ensuring that work meets industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041You've been maintaining complex electronic systems in the military. As an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, you will leverage your troubleshooting skills and system knowledge to keep industrial equipment running smoothly. Your experience with schematics and maintenance procedures translates directly to this role.
Energy Auditor
SOC 49-9081You've got a strong understanding of how electronic systems operate and how to optimize their performance. As an Energy Auditor, you can use your skills to assess energy usage in buildings and recommend improvements to reduce waste and save money. Your ability to analyze complex systems and identify inefficiencies will be invaluable.
Quality Control Specialist
SOC 51-9061You're meticulous in ensuring the proper functioning and maintenance of specialized electronic devices. As a Quality Control Specialist, you can apply your skills to inspect products and processes to ensure they meet the company's standards. Your knack for identifying and correcting discrepancies makes you a great fit for this role.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Electronic Maintenance Course, Fort Gordon, GA
Topics Covered
- •Radar Principles and Operation
- •Electronic Warfare Systems Maintenance
- •Circuit Troubleshooting and Repair
- •Signal Processing and Analysis
- •Use of Electronic Test Equipment
- •Preventive Maintenance Procedures
- •Technical Documentation and Schematics
- •Supervisory and Leadership Skills
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
CET requires passing an associate-level exam. Study specific electronics theory, troubleshooting, and components outside of radar-specific systems.
Focus on the latest networking technologies, cloud networking, and network security protocols covered in the Network+ exam objectives that are not explicitly part of military radar systems.
Study the five project management process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing) and the ten knowledge areas as defined by the PMI PMBOK guide. Focus on project management methodologies beyond standard military procedures.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/TPQ-53 Radar System | Weather radar systems, air traffic control radar |
| AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar | Short-range air defense radar systems |
| Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) | Remote weapon control systems, industrial robotics |
| Electronic Test Equipment (e.g., Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators) | Industrial electronic testing and measurement equipment |
| Prophet Enhanced | Signals intelligence (SIGINT) software and hardware suites |
| Standard Army Maintenance System - Enhanced (SAMS-E) | Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software, CMMS |
| Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) | Satellite internet and communication systems |
Ready to Translate Your Experience?
Our AI-powered translator converts your 39W experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.
Translate My Resume — Free