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6318 Career Guide

Marine Corps

6318: Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar Systems Technician (6318)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6318 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

Electronics Technician

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)Troubleshooting experience on non-aviation systems

Radar Technician

$80K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific radar system training (e.g., marine, weather)Commercial certifications

Field Service Engineer

$78K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Customer service skillsProject management basicsSpecific product knowledge (depending on employer)

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Fiber optic certificationsNetworking certifications (e.g., CCNA)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6318 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an aircraft communications/navigation/radar systems technician, you developed a deep understanding of how various systems interact within the F-35B. You mentally modeled these complex systems to diagnose faults and predict potential failures.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to roles where you need to grasp intricate processes and predict outcomes, such as in logistics or process optimization.

Procedural Compliance

Your work demanded strict adherence to detailed procedures and technical manuals to ensure the safety and reliability of critical aircraft systems. Deviation from these procedures was not an option.

This unwavering commitment to procedure makes you an excellent candidate for roles requiring precision and adherence to regulations, like quality assurance or regulatory compliance.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were trained to troubleshoot and repair systems even when they weren't functioning optimally or when resources were limited. This involved improvising solutions and maintaining operational readiness under challenging circumstances.

Your experience in 'degraded-mode operations' highlights your ability to think on your feet and solve problems under pressure. This is valuable in any field where adaptability and resourcefulness are essential, such as crisis management or emergency services.

Pattern Recognition

You routinely identified patterns in system behavior to proactively detect and address potential issues before they escalated into major problems. This involved analyzing data and recognizing anomalies.

Your pattern recognition skills make you well-suited for roles involving data analysis and anomaly detection. This is highly valuable in fields like fraud detection, cybersecurity, or predictive maintenance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081

You've been deeply involved in maintaining complex systems, which requires understanding the flow of parts, supplies, and information. Your expertise in ensuring aircraft readiness translates perfectly to optimizing supply chains and logistics operations.

Quality Assurance Specialist

SOC 19-4199

You've been trained to uphold the highest standards of quality and reliability in aircraft systems. Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to procedural compliance make you an ideal candidate for ensuring product quality in various industries.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've worked in a highly regulated environment where adherence to procedures is paramount. Your experience in following strict protocols and ensuring compliance with technical standards will be invaluable in helping organizations navigate complex regulations.

Data Analyst

SOC 15-2051

You've honed your pattern recognition skills through analyzing complex systems. As a data analyst you can leverage that to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies, turning raw information into actionable insights for businesses.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC - F-35B Communications/Navigation/Radar Systems Maintenance Course

640 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • F-35B Aircraft Systems Overview
  • Advanced Electronic Troubleshooting
  • Communication Systems Maintenance (ARC-210, etc.)
  • Navigation Systems Maintenance (GPS, INS)
  • Radar Systems Maintenance (APG-81)
  • Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures (DECM) Systems
  • Use of technical publications and schematics
  • Avionics testing and repair procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Aviation Technician (Avionics)70% covered

Civilian aviation regulations, specific aircraft avionics systems not covered in military training, and FAA certification procedures.

CompTIA Network+40% covered

Focus on enterprise networking, subnetting, and wider area networking concepts beyond the scope of military tactical networks.

CompTIA Security+30% covered

Broader understanding of cybersecurity principles, risk management, compliance, and governance, as military training is often specific to certain secure systems.

Recommended Next Certifications

FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)Certified Electronics Technician (CET)Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC) certifications related to aircraft communication systemsCompTIA CySA+

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RadarAdvanced weather radar systems, airport surveillance radar
AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS)360-degree surveillance systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) with sensor fusion
AN/ASQ-239 Barracuda electronic warfare systemCommercial RF jammers, signal analysis software, and electronic warfare test equipment.
Multifunctional Advanced Data Link (MADL)Military-grade encrypted communication systems, secure data transmission protocols
AN/ARC-210 RT-1921(P) Airborne TransceiverMilitary-grade VHF/UHF radio systems, aviation communication transceivers
Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS)Satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) for civilian aviation
Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures (DECM) SystemsCybersecurity intrusion detection and prevention systems, RF signal jamming equipment.

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