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5950 Career Guide

Marine Corps

5950: Air Traffic Control Systems Maintenance Officer

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Air Traffic Control Systems Maintenance Officer (5950)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 5950 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certificationFamiliarity with civilian ATC procedures

Avionics Technician

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Aircraft Mechanic license (Airframe and Powerplant)Specific avionics systems training

Electronics Engineer

$105K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related fieldSoftware Defined Radio (SDR) experience

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$62K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)Fiber optic splicing certificationVendor-specific equipment certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)

Technical Trainer

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design certificationExperience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)Excellent communication and presentation skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 5950 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an ATC systems maintenance officer, you develop a deep understanding of how complex ATC systems function, interact, and degrade over time. You use this knowledge to predict potential failures and optimize maintenance schedules.

This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates directly to roles where you need to analyze and improve processes, troubleshoot technical issues, or design efficient workflows.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing budgets, repair parts, tools, and personnel to ensure the continuous operation of ATC systems. You must make efficient use of limited resources to maximize system uptime and minimize downtime.

Your experience in allocating and managing resources effectively makes you well-suited for roles that require budgeting, procurement, and strategic planning to achieve organizational goals.

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to strict regulations and protocols is paramount in ATC maintenance to ensure safety and reliability. You enforce and maintain compliance with detailed maintenance procedures and quality control standards.

Your dedication to following established procedures and maintaining high standards of quality is highly valuable in regulated industries where accuracy and consistency are critical.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a constant awareness of the status of ATC systems, environmental factors, and operational requirements to anticipate potential problems and ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Your ability to quickly assess complex situations and make informed decisions under pressure is transferable to any role that requires vigilance, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been managing complex systems, spare parts, and maintenance schedules, so you already possess the analytical skills and understanding of supply chain dynamics needed to excel as a Logistics Analyst. Your experience optimizing resources will be invaluable in improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You're accustomed to strict adherence to regulations and quality control standards. As a Compliance Officer, you'll leverage your attention to detail and understanding of procedural requirements to ensure organizations meet legal and ethical obligations.

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3010.00

You have extensive experience in maintaining and repairing complex systems. As a Facilities Manager, you will oversee the upkeep of buildings and equipment, ensuring smooth operations and addressing any technical issues that arise.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Traffic Control Systems Maintenance Officer Course, Keesler AFB, MS

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in electronics and telecommunications

Topics Covered

  • ATC Systems Theory and Operation
  • Radar Systems Maintenance
  • Communication Systems Maintenance
  • Navigation Systems Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting and Repair Procedures
  • Preventive Maintenance Procedures
  • Technical Documentation and Interpretation
  • Supply Chain Management for ATC Systems

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)60% covered

Requires knowledge of civilian electronics standards, troubleshooting techniques, and specific equipment used in civilian air traffic control environments.

Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)50% covered

Focus on business management principles, financial management related to maintenance, and broader facilities management concepts not specific to military ATC systems.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)ITIL 4 FoundationCompTIA Network+

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPN-31 Air Traffic Navigation, Integration, and Coordination System (ATNAVICS)Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)Commercial Airport Surveillance Radar systems (e.g., those by Raytheon, Thales)
AN/MPN-14K Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) RadarPrecision Approach Radar (PAR) systems used at civilian airports
Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR)Solid state airport surveillance radar
NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface)GPS-based timing and synchronization systems
TMAS (Tactical Meteorological Observing System)Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) found at civilian airports

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