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5918 Career Guide

Marine Corps

5918: Avionics Technician

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Avionics Technician (5918)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 5918 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Control Systems Engineer

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

PLC programmingSCADA systemsAutoCAD

Computer Systems Analyst

$90K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysisCloud computingCybersecurity

Robotics Technician

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Robotics certificationSpecific robot software (ABB, Fanuc)Maintenance procedures

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

CAD softwareFAA regulationsMaterials science

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 5918 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 5918, you troubleshoot complex weapons systems by mentally mapping the interaction of hardware, software, and control systems to isolate faults and predict potential failures.

This ability to visualize and understand complex interconnected systems translates directly into analyzing business processes, IT infrastructures, or even financial markets, allowing you to identify inefficiencies and predict outcomes.

Procedural Compliance

You adhered to strict protocols and safety regulations when operating and maintaining sophisticated weapons systems, where deviations could have catastrophic consequences.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures demonstrates a commitment to quality and safety that is highly valued in regulated industries, such as healthcare, finance, or aerospace.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You maintained system functionality under stress or with limited resources, adapting to unexpected malfunctions and implementing workarounds to ensure operational readiness.

Your experience in maintaining operational effectiveness in challenging situations showcases your resilience and problem-solving abilities, essential for crisis management or disaster recovery roles.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitored system performance, environmental factors, and potential threats to maintain operational readiness and prevent system failures.

Your heightened awareness and ability to anticipate potential problems translates into risk management or security roles, where vigilance and proactive thinking are critical.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems Security Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've been responsible for the security and operational integrity of weapon systems, which shares many of the same control system challenges as modern manufacturing and infrastructure. Your expertise in maintaining complex systems and mitigating risks directly applies to securing critical industrial infrastructure.

Financial Risk Modeler

SOC 15-2051

You've been trained to understand complex system interactions and predict potential failures, which is the core skillset of financial risk modeling. Your ability to analyze data and identify vulnerabilities in weapons systems translates well to assessing financial risks and developing mitigation strategies.

Healthcare Technology Manager

SOC 11-9111

You've been a vital part of high-stakes environments that relied on complex systems. In this role, you'll be using your system-level understanding and organizational skills to ensure the seamless operation of medical equipment and IT infrastructure, helping healthcare providers deliver critical care.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Technical Maintenance Course, MCAS Cherry Point

840 training hours21 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Basic Electronics Theory
  • Digital Logic Circuits
  • Microprocessor Fundamentals
  • Avionics Systems Troubleshooting
  • Weapons Systems Maintenance Procedures
  • Fiber Optics Technology
  • Radar Systems Maintenance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Network+70% covered

Study network troubleshooting, network security, and network implementation.

CompTIA Security+60% covered

Focus on risk management, cryptography, and security assessments.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30% covered

Requires extensive knowledge in all (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains such as Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), Security Assessment and Testing, and Security Operations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)AWS Certified Security - Specialty

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
M1A1 Abrams Tank Fire Control SystemIndustrial control systems (ICS) for heavy machinery, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
AN/TPQ-53 Radar SystemWeather radar systems, air traffic control radar systems
Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) Missile SystemGuided missile systems for aerospace or defense, robotics with computer vision and remote control
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Geospatial intelligence software, mapping and analysis tools like ArcGIS, military simulation software
Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR)Surveying equipment with laser rangefinders, industrial measurement tools, advanced camera systems with rangefinding capabilities
Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS)Remote weapon systems for security or law enforcement, industrial robotic arms

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