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1B175 Career Guide

Air Force

1B175: Ground Radar Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Ground Radar Systems Technician (1B175)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 1B175 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Network Engineer

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1241
High match

Your experience installing, maintaining, and repairing radar and communication systems directly translates to networking. You have experience with antenna systems, transmission lines, waveguides, and ground-to-air radio communication systems which are analogous to modern network infrastructure. Focus on learning modern network protocols and cloud networking.

Typical stack:

TCP/IP fundamentalsRouting protocols (BGP, OSPF)Firewall and VPN configurationCloud networkingCisco or Juniper hands-on

Systems Administrator

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1244
Good match

Your background in maintaining complex radar systems, performing system checks, troubleshooting malfunctions, and ensuring operational readiness aligns well with the responsibilities of a Systems Administrator. Your experience with Digital Signal Processing, radar system alignment and calibration, and preventative maintenance procedures is directly applicable to system administration tasks.

Typical stack:

Linux and/or Windows ServerScripting (Bash, PowerShell, Python)Backup and DR practicesMonitoringPatch management

Security Engineer

Security

SOC 15-1212
Moderate match

Experience with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, a type of secure communication, and your rigorous procedural compliance make you a solid candidate for security engineering. You are also familiar with performing system checks, interpreting technical documentation, and resolving complex technical issues. Focus on learning common security tools, security frameworks, and cloud security.

Typical stack:

Networking and OS internalsCryptography fundamentalsThreat modelingCloud security (IAM, VPC)Code review for security

Computer Systems Analyst

Customer / Field

SOC 15-1211
Moderate match

Your experience with ground radar systems, including planning, organizing, and scheduling maintenance procedures, aligns with the responsibilities of a computer systems analyst. You understand complex systems and can analyze construction and operating characteristics to determine the source of malfunctions. Your background in system modeling translates well to analyzing business processes and identifying bottlenecks in computer systems.

Typical stack:

Software systems literacyProcess mappingRequirements gatheringSQLStakeholder communication

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 1B175 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Radar Principles and Theory→ Understanding of network communication protocols and data transmission concepts
  • Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting→ Hardware troubleshooting and basic understanding of electronic components
  • Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance→ Knowledge of wireless communication principles and radio frequency (RF) systems
  • Digital Signal Processing→ Signal analysis and data interpretation skills
  • Technical Documentation Interpretation→ Ability to understand and follow technical manuals and specifications
  • Preventative Maintenance Procedures→ Systematic approach to maintenance and problem-solving
  • System Modeling→ Analyzing business processes and predicting the impact of changes
  • Procedural Compliance→ Adherence to industry regulations and compliance standards
  • Degraded-Mode Operations→ Maintaining critical business functions during system outages
  • After-Action Analysis→ Identifying inefficiencies and optimizing performance

Skills to Learn

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not generic.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificationLinux system administration fundamentalsNetwork security principles and tools (e.g., firewalls, intrusion detection systems)Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)Scripting languages such as Python or BashCybersecurity frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)IT project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)

How VWC fits

Vets Who Code accelerates the parts we teach — software engineering fundamentals, web development, AI tooling. For everything else above, the path is doable independently with the resources we link to.

See VWC Programs

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1B175 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Radar Technician

$75K
High matchStable demand

Avionics Technician

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA A&P License

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific equipment certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)Fiber optic cabling and installation

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Safety certificationsExperience with large rotating machineryClimbing and rescue training

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

$58K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) trainingSpecific industry knowledgeHydraulic and pneumatic systems

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1B175 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You used schematics and diagrams to understand the interconnectedness of complex radar systems, predicting how changes in one component would affect the entire system's performance.

This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates to analyzing business processes, identifying bottlenecks, and predicting the impact of changes to those processes.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict technical orders, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures was critical to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of radar systems.

Your commitment to following established protocols and maintaining high standards makes you well-suited for roles requiring strict adherence to industry regulations and compliance standards.

Degraded-Mode Operations

When radar systems malfunctioned, you needed to quickly diagnose the problem and implement temporary workarounds to maintain operational capability, even if at a reduced capacity.

This experience translates to an ability to maintain critical business functions during system outages or unexpected disruptions, using creative solutions and prioritizing essential tasks.

After-Action Analysis

You consistently reviewed maintenance procedures, identified areas for improvement, and recommended changes to enhance equipment performance and maintenance practices.

This analytical mindset is valuable in identifying inefficiencies, improving processes, and implementing solutions that optimize performance and reduce errors.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Process Analyst

SOC 13-1111

You've been trained to analyze complex systems, troubleshoot problems, and improve performance. Your experience with radar systems translates directly to analyzing business processes, identifying bottlenecks, and recommending improvements. Your procedural compliance and problem-solving skills will be invaluable.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've demonstrated a strong understanding of regulations, safety standards, and maintenance procedures. Your commitment to procedural compliance and attention to detail make you an ideal candidate for ensuring that organizations adhere to industry regulations and internal policies. You'll be able to identify and address compliance risks effectively.

Disaster Recovery Specialist

SOC 15-1299

You've developed the ability to maintain critical operations during system malfunctions and disruptions. Your experience with degraded-mode operations and resourcefulness makes you well-suited for developing and implementing disaster recovery plans that ensure business continuity in the face of unexpected events. Your calm demeanor under pressure will be a huge asset.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Radar Systems Maintenance Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

1,296 training hours36 weeksUp to 15 semester hours in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • •Radar Principles and Theory
  • •Electronic Circuitry and Troubleshooting
  • •Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance
  • •Transmitter and Receiver Operation and Repair
  • •Digital Signal Processing
  • •Radar System Alignment and Calibration
  • •Preventative Maintenance Procedures
  • •Technical Documentation Interpretation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Focus on specific electronics troubleshooting techniques, industry standards, and current technologies not covered in military training.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Study network design principles, advanced networking protocols, and vendor-specific networking technologies.

ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30% covered

Experience must include six years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Study of information security principles, risk management, and security frameworks is needed to pass the exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Six Sigma Green BeltCCNP EnterpriseAWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPS-75 Radar SystemLong-range air surveillance radar systems used in civilian air traffic control
AN/GPN-27 Airport Surveillance RadarCommercial airport surveillance radar for approach and departure control
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) SystemsSecondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) used in civil aviation
Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)FAA's network of long-range radar systems for en route air traffic control
Remote Control Systems for RadarSCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for remote monitoring and control of industrial equipment
Video Mapper SystemsGeographic Information Systems (GIS) with real-time data overlay capabilities
Ground-to-Air Radio Communication SystemsCommercial aviation VHF/UHF radio systems

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