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98D Career Guide

Army

98D: Signals Intelligence Analyst

Career transition guide for Army Signals Intelligence Analyst (98D)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 98D veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Signals Intelligence Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Network Security Analyst

$105K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP)Knowledge of network protocols and security tools

Technical Surveillance Specialist

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific surveillance equipment trainingLegal and ethical considerations for surveillance

Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer

$98K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related fieldRF design and testing software proficiency

Intelligence Officer (Government)

$80K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Stronger understanding of geopolitical issuesFamiliarity with specific agency protocols

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 98D training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

98D personnel excel at recognizing patterns in radio frequencies and signals to identify and locate foreign transmitters amidst complex electromagnetic environments.

This translates to an ability to identify trends, anomalies, and critical information within large datasets or complex systems, which is invaluable in many civilian sectors.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the electromagnetic spectrum, including potential threats and friendly forces, is crucial for successful SIGINT operations.

This skill enables the individual to stay informed about the broader context of operations, anticipate potential challenges, and adapt strategies as needed in dynamic environments.

System Modeling

Understanding the architecture and operation of radio communication systems allows for effective identification and exploitation of vulnerabilities in enemy communications.

This translates to the ability to create and utilize models to understand complex systems, predict behavior, and optimize performance across various civilian applications.

Adversarial Thinking

Anticipating the actions and countermeasures of adversaries in the electromagnetic domain is critical for maintaining a strategic advantage.

This skill enables the individual to proactively identify potential risks and vulnerabilities, develop effective defense strategies, and outmaneuver competitors in competitive environments.

After-Action Analysis

Reviewing past missions to identify successes and failures, and then applying those lessons to future operations, is essential for continuous improvement.

This translates to the ability to critically evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in civilian work.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099

You've been trained to recognize patterns and anomalies in communications data. As a Fraud Investigator, you'll leverage this skill to detect fraudulent activity by spotting irregularities in financial transactions and communication patterns.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161

Your ability to analyze complex data and maintain situational awareness translates well to understanding market trends and consumer behavior. As a Market Research Analyst, you'll use your skills to identify opportunities and threats in the marketplace.

Network Security Analyst

SOC 15-1212

Your experience in identifying and locating radio transmitters gives you a solid foundation for understanding network infrastructure and potential vulnerabilities. As a Network Security Analyst, you'll apply your skills to protect computer networks from cyber threats and security breaches.

Technical Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2099

As a 98D, you possess expertise in gathering and analyzing signals intelligence. As a Technical Intelligence Analyst, you can leverage this skillset to analyze technical information, identify trends, and provide insights to support strategic decision-making in various industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

98D Signals Intelligence Analyst Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX

980 training hours25 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Radio Frequency Theory
  • Direction Finding (DF) Techniques
  • Emitter Identification (EID)
  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Collection and Analysis
  • Electronic Warfare (EW) Operations
  • Electronic Support Measures (ESM)
  • Data Processing and Reporting
  • SIGINT Database Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)60% covered

Study specific wireless networking technologies (802.11 standards), WLAN security, and vendor-specific wireless equipment configuration.

CompTIA Network+40% covered

Focus on general networking concepts, network security, and troubleshooting. Knowledge of the OSI model and network topologies is essential.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)GIAC Security Expert (GSE)Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PRD-13(V) Direction Finding SystemSoftware Defined Radio (SDR) with direction finding capabilities
Electronic Intelligence Database (EID)Signals intelligence databases (e.g., Palantir, Analyst Notebook)
SIGINT/EW Tasking SystemWorkforce management and task distribution software (e.g., Jira, Trello)
Continuous Wave Intercept System (CWIS)Spectrum analyzers and signal monitoring software
Radio Direction Finding (RDF) NetworksCell tower triangulation and geolocation services
Electronic Support Measures (ESM) equipmentRF signal detection and analysis tools (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz)
Digital signal processing (DSP) softwareMATLAB, GNU Radio

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