82C Career Guide
82C: Field Artillery Surveyor
Career transition guide for Army Field Artillery Surveyor (82C)
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Top civilian roles for 82C veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Surveyor
Skills to develop:
Geospatial Technician
Skills to develop:
Construction Manager
Skills to develop:
Engineering Technician
Skills to develop:
Logistics Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 82C training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
As an artillery surveyor, you built and maintained a mental model of the battlefield, accounting for terrain, equipment capabilities, and enemy positions to accurately direct fire support.
This ability to create and manage complex models translates into being able to understand and optimize intricate business processes, predict outcomes, and develop effective strategies.
Procedural Compliance
Your strict adherence to surveying procedures and protocols ensured the accuracy and reliability of targeting data, minimizing errors and maximizing mission effectiveness.
This dedication to following established processes and maintaining high standards is invaluable in regulated industries where accuracy and consistency are critical.
Situational Awareness
You constantly assessed the surrounding environment, including terrain, weather conditions, and potential threats, to ensure the safety of your team and the success of the mission.
This ability to maintain a broad awareness of your surroundings and anticipate potential challenges is highly beneficial in dynamic and unpredictable environments.
Team Synchronization
Leading survey teams required you to coordinate the efforts of multiple individuals, ensuring everyone was working together seamlessly to achieve a common goal.
Your experience in coordinating teams translates to a capacity to lead and motivate groups in a civilian setting, particularly where precision is key.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-1199.09You've been rigorously trained in geospatial data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Your skills in surveying, mapping, and using tools like PADS directly translate to this role, where you'll analyze imagery and spatial data to produce actionable intelligence for various clients.
Construction Surveyor
SOC 17-1022.00You've been responsible for precise measurements and data collection in challenging environments. This experience makes you a natural fit for construction surveying, where you'll use your skills to ensure accurate site layouts, grading, and infrastructure development.
Quality Assurance Manager
SOC 11-3051.00You've been deeply committed to procedural compliance and ensuring accuracy in high-stakes situations. This experience aligns perfectly with the role of a Quality Assurance Manager, where you'll be responsible for implementing and maintaining quality control processes to meet industry standards and client expectations.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Field Artillery Surveyor Course, Fort Sill, OK
Topics Covered
- •Surveying Fundamentals
- •Geodetic Surveying
- •Advanced Surveying Techniques
- •Precise Azimuth Determination
- •Position and Azimuth Determining System (PADS) Operation
- •Data Computation and Analysis
- •Survey Equipment Maintenance and Calibration
- •Supervision and Team Leadership
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While the military provides extensive experience in surveying principles, civilian certification often requires specific knowledge of local regulations, legal aspects of boundary surveying, and potentially different equipment and software. Review state-specific surveying laws and ethical standards.
The military experience provides a foundation in spatial data and analysis. Gaps include advanced GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), database management, cartography principles for civilian applications, and specific GIS applications in areas like urban planning or environmental science.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Position and Azimuth Determining System (PADS) | High-precision GPS surveying equipment and robotic total stations |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Civilian equivalents include mapping and GIS software combined with database management systems for resource allocation and planning. |
| AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio | Motorola APX series or similar professional-grade two-way radios with encryption capabilities |
| Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) | Trimble GPS handheld devices or similar high-accuracy GPS receivers |
| Surveying Total Stations (various models) | Leica, Trimble, or Topcon Robotic Total Stations |
| Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) | Geographic Information System (GIS) software with coordinate conversion tools |
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