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2A673 Career Guide

Air Force

2A673: Egress Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Egress Systems Technician (2A673)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 2A673 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

QA / Test Automation Engineer

Engineering

SOC 15-1253
Good match

Your experience performing operational and functional tests of egress systems, subsystems, and components aligns well with the responsibilities of a QA Test Automation Engineer. Your experience using automated maintenance systems (CAMS) can translate into using software testing and automation tools. Attention to detail in inspecting systems for safety, security, and serviceability is directly applicable.

Typical stack:

One scripting languagePlaywright / Cypress / SeleniumCI/CD pipelinesTest design (boundary, equivalence, mutation)Bug-reproduction discipline

IT Support Specialist (Help Desk)

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1232
Good match

Your experience in diagnosing malfunctions and recommending corrective action on complex systems provides a strong foundation for providing technical support to computer users. Your experience using the core automated maintenance system (CAMS) involved troubleshooting and maintaining equipment records, skills relevant to IT support.

Typical stack:

Windows and macOS troubleshootingActive Directory basicsTicketing systemsCustomer communicationDocumentation

DevOps Engineer

DevOps / Platform

SOC 15-1244
Moderate match

Your background maintaining complex systems and following strict maintenance and safety policies provides a solid base for understanding the importance of reliability and automation in software deployment. Your experience with the core automated maintenance system (CAMS) gives you a familiarity with system monitoring and documentation.

Typical stack:

CI/CD tooling (GitHub Actions, GitLab, Jenkins)Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Pulumi)Containers (Docker, Kubernetes)Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)Linux

Security Engineer

Security

SOC 15-1212
Moderate match

Your work with explosive component handling and safety, as well as inspecting systems for safety and security, demonstrates a strong understanding of risk management and security protocols. Your experience handling hazardous waste also speaks to understanding and adhering to critical safety procedures.

Typical stack:

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

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 2A673 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Egress System Inspection and TroubleshootingSoftware Testing Methodologies
  • Automated Maintenance System (CAMS) OperationComputerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
  • Procedural ComplianceAdherence to coding standards and security protocols
  • System ModelingUnderstanding of software architecture and dependencies

Skills to Learn

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

PythonSeleniumSQLTroubleshooting and remote desktop toolsCloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)Linux system administrationNetwork security principlesSecurity Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools

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 2A673 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$73K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD/CAM software proficiencyFEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Avionics Technician

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FCC licenseAdvanced electronics troubleshooting

Quality Control Inspector

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certificationKnowledge of quality control standards (ISO 9000, etc.)

Explosives Technician

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial explosives licenseHAZMAT certificationKnowledge of ATF regulations

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2A673 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering strictly to maintenance manuals, safety protocols, and inspection checklists to ensure the safe and reliable operation of aircraft egress systems, minimizing risks associated with explosive components and critical safety equipment.

Meticulously following established procedures and regulations in highly regulated environments, ensuring accuracy, safety, and adherence to standards.

System Modeling

Understanding the complex interplay of mechanical, electrical, and explosive components within aircraft egress systems to diagnose malfunctions and predict the impact of maintenance actions on overall system performance.

Developing a deep understanding of complex systems and their interdependencies to troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and anticipate potential problems.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the status of egress systems, environmental factors, and potential hazards during maintenance operations to ensure personal safety and prevent damage to equipment.

Remaining vigilant and observant of your surroundings and the status of critical systems to identify potential risks, react quickly to changing conditions, and maintain a safe and productive environment.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Troubleshooting and repairing aircraft egress systems under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information, to restore critical safety functions in time-sensitive situations.

Maintaining composure and effectiveness in challenging or unpredictable situations, using problem-solving skills and adaptability to overcome obstacles and achieve desired outcomes.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Assurance Specialist

SOC 19-4041

You've been meticulously inspecting and maintaining critical safety systems, demanding strict adherence to procedures. This translates perfectly to ensuring products or services meet the highest quality standards.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

SOC 13-1041

Your deep understanding of safety regulations and hazardous materials handling makes you an excellent candidate for ensuring companies comply with government regulations.

Forensic Engineering Technician

SOC 17-3029

You've got experience diagnosing malfunctions and analyzing complex systems. This skill set is highly valuable in investigating failures and determining root causes in forensic investigations.

Explosives Technician

SOC 51-9199

Your direct experience with explosive components and safety protocols around them translates directly to a need for handling and disposing of explosives materials in civilian settings.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Egress Systems Maintenance Technical Training, Sheppard AFB, TX

590 training hours15 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Aviation Maintenance Technology

Topics Covered

  • Egress System Fundamentals
  • Explosive Component Handling and Safety
  • Ejection Seat Maintenance and Repair
  • Canopy and Hatch Systems
  • Electro-Explosive Device (EED) Maintenance
  • Corrosion Control Procedures
  • Automated Maintenance System (CAMS) Operation
  • Egress System Inspection and Troubleshooting

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) - Airframe60% covered

While the military training provides a strong foundation in aircraft systems, additional study may be needed regarding FAA regulations, specific airframe structures, and general aviation maintenance practices.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)30% covered

This is an aviation management certification. Gaps include business management, leadership, and resource management in a civilian aviation context.

Recommended Next Certifications

Lean Six Sigma Green BeltProject Management Professional (PMP)Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Ejection Seats (ACES II, NACES)Advanced Safety Systems in Automotive and Aerospace Industries
Canopy Actuation SystemsHydraulic and Pneumatic Actuation Systems
Electro-Explosive Devices (EEDs)Pyrotechnic Devices and Explosive Actuators
Egress System Testers (EST)Automated Testing Equipment for Safety-Critical Systems
CAD/PAD (Cartridge/Propellant Activated Devices) Test SetsExplosive Component Testing and Certification Equipment
Core Automated Maintenance System (CAMS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) / Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
TO 1-1-691 - Application and Removal of Organic CoatingsCorrosion Prevention and Control Procedures (e.g. surface coating, paint application) - Aviation Specific

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