5994 Career Guide
5994: Air Defense System Technician
Career transition guide for Marine Corps Air Defense System Technician (5994)
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Top civilian roles for 5994 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Avionics Technician
Skills to develop:
Network Engineer
Skills to develop:
Electronics Technician
Skills to develop:
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Skills to develop:
Wind Turbine Technician
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 5994 training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
Troubleshooting complex communication and weapons systems requires understanding how all components interact and predicting the impact of changes or failures.
This translates to the ability to understand and optimize complex processes or systems in various civilian industries.
Rapid Prioritization
When multiple systems malfunction simultaneously, you must quickly assess the severity and impact of each issue to determine the order of repairs, ensuring the most critical functions are restored first.
This ability to triage and address urgent issues in order of importance is vital in fast-paced civilian environments.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Maintaining operational effectiveness even when key systems are damaged or failing requires adapting procedures and finding alternative solutions to achieve mission objectives.
This experience allows you to maintain productivity and problem-solve creatively when resources are limited or unexpected challenges arise in a civilian setting.
Situational Awareness
You are constantly monitoring multiple systems and their interactions to anticipate potential problems and maintain overall operational readiness.
The ability to maintain vigilance, understand potential risks, and ensure a stable environment is extremely valuable in many civilian roles.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Network Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You've been responsible for the security and maintenance of critical communications and weapons systems, which makes you exceptionally well-prepared to defend civilian computer networks from cyber threats. Your experience in identifying vulnerabilities and quickly responding to incidents is directly applicable.
Industrial Control Systems Technician
SOC 49-9041You've honed expertise in maintaining and repairing complex electronic systems. Now, you can transfer these skills to the maintenance and monitoring of automated systems in manufacturing plants and other industrial settings. Your ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment under pressure is a major asset.
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161You're adept at maintaining operational effectiveness in degraded mode operations and you have strong situational awareness. Use these skills to develop and coordinate disaster response plans, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and communication systems remain functional during crises.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Air Defense Systems Technician Course, Fort Sill, OK
Topics Covered
- •AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR Radar System Maintenance
- •AN/TSQ-230 Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Fire Control System Operation and Maintenance
- •Communication Systems Troubleshooting (HF, VHF, UHF)
- •Fiber Optic Cable Repair
- •Electronic Warfare Principles
- •Weapons Systems Diagnostics
- •Preventative Maintenance Procedures
- •Network Troubleshooting
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While the military training provides a strong foundation in networking principles and hardware, studying network security, cloud networking, and software-defined networking is recommended.
Focus study on specific electronic components and troubleshooting techniques used in civilian equipment. Review current industry standards and safety regulations.
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 stakeholder management and risk management.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/TSQ-120(V) Tactical Data System (TDS) | High-performance data processing servers and network infrastructure |
| AN/UYK-70(V) Data Processing Set | Redundant, high-availability server systems for critical applications |
| Global Command and Control System – Joint (GCCS-J) | Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with real-time data integration |
| Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) | Air traffic control systems and flight management software |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Geospatial analysis software for logistics and resource allocation |
| Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Common Handheld (MCH) | Ruggedized handheld computers and mobile data terminals for field operations |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Satellite communication systems and long-range radio communication equipment |
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