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3E072 Career Guide

Air Force

3E072: Electrical Power Production Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Electrical Power Production Specialist (3E072)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3E072 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Power Plant Operator

$78K
High matchStable demand

Industrial Electrician

$72K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial/Industrial Electrical Certification

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA 30Climbing and Rescue CertificationExperience with specific turbine models

Avionics Technician

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA certificationSpecific avionics systems training

Facilities Manager

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management CertificationBudgeting and financial management skillsKnowledge of building codes and regulations

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3E072 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You routinely analyze complex electrical and mechanical systems (generators, arresting gear) to understand their interdependencies and predict their behavior under different conditions.

Your ability to understand how different components interact within a system and forecast outcomes translates directly into designing and optimizing complex systems in the civilian world.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You're skilled at troubleshooting and maintaining equipment under pressure, often working with limited resources or in challenging environments to restore critical systems.

Your expertise in maintaining functionality during disruptions and thinking on your feet makes you invaluable in industries where system failures have high-stakes consequences.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere strictly to detailed maintenance and operating procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements, ensuring equipment reliability and personnel safety.

Your commitment to following established guidelines and your meticulous approach to documentation are highly valued in roles where precision and accountability are paramount.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor system performance, environmental conditions, and operational parameters to anticipate potential problems and maintain optimal system functionality.

Your ability to maintain a broad awareness of your surroundings and quickly assess developing situations allows you to proactively identify and mitigate risks in a variety of civilian settings.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Building Automation Systems Technician

SOC 49-9021.00

You've been working on complex electrical and mechanical systems your entire career. Now you can apply that expertise to managing and optimizing energy usage, security, and environmental controls in commercial buildings.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9081.00

You're a master of maintaining electrical power generation equipment, including generators. Wind turbines are basically giant generators, and your skills in troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance are perfectly transferable.

Amusement Park Ride Mechanic

SOC 49-9071.00

You have experience maintaining critical mechanical and electrical systems, and safety is always paramount. You'd be a natural at ensuring the safe and reliable operation of thrilling amusement park rides.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Electrical Power Production Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electrical technology or related fields

Topics Covered

  • Electrical Theory and Application
  • Generator Operation and Maintenance
  • Aircraft Arresting Systems (AAS) Maintenance
  • Power Distribution Systems
  • Engine Operation and Maintenance (Diesel and Gasoline)
  • Safety Procedures and Regulations
  • Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
  • Environmental Compliance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

NCCER Electrical Journeyworker70% covered

Requires study of the National Electrical Code (NEC), local electrical codes, and possibly hands-on experience specific to commercial or residential electrical installations.

NFPA 70E Arc Flash Training Certification60% covered

Requires familiarity with the latest edition of NFPA 70E standard, specific arc flash hazard calculations, and site-specific safety procedures.

ASME Stationary Engineer50% covered

Requires study of boiler operations, steam systems, advanced thermodynamics, and possibly completion of a practical examination depending on the specific certification level.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Energy Manager (CEM)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Aircraft Arresting Systems (AAS)Emergency runway arresting gear systems for civilian airports
Diesel Engine GeneratorsCommercial and industrial diesel generators (e.g., Caterpillar, Cummins)
High Voltage SwitchgearElectrical power distribution switchgear (e.g., Eaton, Schneider Electric)
Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)Commercial and residential automatic transfer switches
Multigenerator Synchronization SystemsPower management systems for paralleling generators
Precision Test Equipment (Multimeters, Oscilloscopes)Electronic test and measurement equipment (e.g., Fluke, Keysight)
Wiring Diagrams and Technical ManualsSchematic capture and documentation software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical)

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