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3D135 Career Guide

Air Force

3D135: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (3D135)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3D135 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electronics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications related to industrial or commercial electronicsUpdate knowledge of current electronics standards (IPC, etc.)

Radar Systems Technician

$85K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA certificationsExperience with specific commercial radar systems (e.g., marine, weather)

Avionics Technician

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseFamiliarity with civilian aircraft avionics systems

Network Engineer

$90K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or equivalentUnderstanding of modern network protocols and security practices

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)Fiber optic cable installation and repairKnowledge of telecommunications industry standards

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3D135 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You maintained complex radar and communications systems, constantly analyzing how individual components interacted to ensure the entire system functioned correctly. You used schematics and diagrams to understand the flow of signals and power within these systems.

This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates to a strong aptitude for understanding and optimizing business processes. You can quickly grasp how different departments and functions within a company interact and identify potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were responsible for maintaining critical systems, often under pressure to restore functionality quickly in degraded or failure scenarios. This required you to think on your feet, troubleshoot effectively, and implement workaround solutions to keep systems operational.

Your experience in maintaining systems in degraded mode makes you highly valuable in roles requiring quick thinking and problem-solving under pressure. You're adept at finding creative solutions and ensuring continuity of operations even when things don't go as planned.

Procedural Compliance

You adhered to strict technical orders and maintenance procedures while installing, repairing, and overhauling ground radar systems. Your meticulous approach ensured safety, reliability, and adherence to standards.

Your commitment to following procedures and maintaining meticulous records makes you an ideal candidate for roles requiring strict adherence to regulations and protocols. You understand the importance of accuracy, consistency, and documentation in ensuring compliance.

Situational Awareness

You maintained awareness of the operational status of complex radar systems, understanding how environmental factors and system performance affected their capabilities. This allowed you to proactively identify potential issues and ensure optimal performance.

Your ability to monitor and interpret complex information streams translates into a strong aptitude for understanding market trends, competitive landscapes, and customer needs. You can use your awareness to anticipate challenges and opportunities, making you an invaluable asset in strategic planning.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Process Analyst

SOC 13-1111

You've been trained to analyze complex systems, identify inefficiencies, and implement solutions. Your experience troubleshooting radar systems directly translates to optimizing business workflows, making you a valuable asset in improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

Your military background instilled in you a deep understanding of procedural compliance. As a compliance officer, you'll leverage your meticulous attention to detail to ensure that your organization adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, protecting it from potential risks and liabilities.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9044

You've honed your skills in understanding complex technical systems. You can leverage your background in radar systems to train others. Your expertise in maintenance procedures makes you an ideal candidate to teach others how to troubleshoot and repair equipment effectively.

Training & Education Equivalencies

3D135 Technical Training, Keesler AFB, MS

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and telecommunications

Topics Covered

  • Radar Principles and Theory
  • Ground Radar System Fundamentals
  • Electronic Troubleshooting
  • Antenna Systems and Waveguides
  • Transmitter and Receiver Maintenance
  • Radar Signal Processing
  • Networking and Communications Subsystems
  • Security and Safety Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Focus on specific electronics troubleshooting techniques, industry standards, and current electronics technology outside of military-specific systems.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Review broader networking concepts, current network security practices, and commercial network hardware/software.

FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)75% covered

While experience with radio systems is extensive, familiarize yourself with current FCC regulations, licensing procedures, and specific legal aspects of radio communication.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateITIL 4 Foundation

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPS-75 RadarLong-range air surveillance radar systems used in civilian air traffic control
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance RadarCivilian airport surveillance radar (ASR) systems
Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)FAA air route surveillance radar
Mark XIIA Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemSecondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) used in civilian air traffic control
AN/TPN-19 Landing Control CenterMobile air traffic control towers
Ground Meteorological EquipmentAutomated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
Radar Data Remoting SystemsReal-time data distribution systems

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