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2E351 Career Guide

Air Force

2E351: Client Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Client Systems Technician (2E351)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 2E351 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Systems Administrator

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1244
High match

Your experience deploying, sustaining, troubleshooting, and repairing client systems directly translates to systems administration. Your familiarity with network fundamentals and system performance analysis are directly applicable. Aim to leverage your experience with client device troubleshooting and security incident response.

Typical stack:

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

Security Engineer

Security

SOC 15-1212
Good match

Your experience with cryptographic client devices, security incident response, and corrective security procedures provide a solid foundation for a security engineering role. Your experience managing hardware, software, and controlled cryptographic items (CCI) aligns well with security protocols and practices.

Typical stack:

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

DevOps Engineer

DevOps / Platform

SOC 15-1244
Moderate match

Your experience planning, organizing, and directing sustainment activities, along with managing implementation and project installation, provides a basis for understanding DevOps principles. Your work with system performance analysis and project management fundamentals can be further developed for a DevOps role.

Typical stack:

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

IT Support Specialist (Help Desk)

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1232
High match

Your primary duty is already this. The skills you have in client systems support, hardware and software management, and troubleshooting are a direct match. Your familiarity with Remedy Help Desk System will help you transition to ServiceNow, Zendesk, or Jira Service Management.

Typical stack:

Windows and macOS troubleshootingActive Directory basicsTicketing systemsCustomer communicationDocumentation

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 2E351 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
  • Air Force Network (AFNET)Enterprise network (Cisco, Juniper)
  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systemsVoIP systems (Cisco, Avaya, Microsoft Teams Phone)
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS)Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems (e.g., AirWatch, MobileIron)
  • Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI)Hardware Security Modules (HSM)
  • Remedy Help Desk SystemServiceNow, Zendesk, Jira Service Management
  • Base Area Network (BAN)Local Area Network (LAN)

Skills to Learn

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

Linux system administrationCybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash)ITIL framework

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 2E351 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Network and Computer Systems Administrator

$88K
High matchHigh demand

Computer Support Specialist

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Information Security Analyst

$105K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP)Knowledge of security frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific telecom equipment certifications (e.g., Cisco)Fiber optic cabling and repair

IT Project Manager

$95K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E351 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You diagnose and resolve complex network and system issues by mentally mapping the flow of data and hardware interactions to pinpoint the source of the problem.

This ability to understand and visualize how different components interact within a system allows you to effectively troubleshoot, optimize, and predict system behavior in various complex environments.

Rapid Prioritization

You're constantly triaging IT issues, from network outages to individual device malfunctions, and deciding which problems to tackle first based on their impact on operations.

Quickly assessing the severity and urgency of problems, then allocating resources accordingly. This skill is valuable in fast-paced environments where decisions need to be made quickly under pressure.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict protocols and technical data to ensure systems are installed, maintained, and secured according to military standards and regulations.

Meticulously following established procedures and guidelines to ensure accuracy, consistency, and security, especially in regulated industries.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You maintain system functionality and security even when parts of the network are down, key personnel are unavailable, or equipment is damaged.

Maintaining productivity and effectiveness even when resources are scarce, systems are failing, or unexpected events disrupt normal workflows.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Technical Sales Engineer

SOC 41-9031.00

You've been troubleshooting complex systems, managing projects, and communicating technical information effectively. You already understand how to explain technical concepts to a range of audiences, and you're adept at finding solutions under pressure – all key skills for a sales engineer who needs to understand a client's needs and demonstrate how a product can solve them.

IT Risk Manager

SOC 11-3021.00

You're familiar with security protocols, threat assessment, and incident response. You can leverage this experience to identify vulnerabilities, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure an organization's IT infrastructure is protected.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.05

You've experience in degraded-mode operations, you know how to maintain critical functions during disruptions. Translate that into planning for all kinds of business interruptions – from natural disasters to cyberattacks. You can help companies stay afloat when the unexpected happens.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Client Systems Technician Course, Keesler AFB, MS

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Client Device Troubleshooting
  • Network Fundamentals
  • Cryptographic Client Devices
  • Voice Network Configuration
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS)
  • Security Incident Response
  • System Performance Analysis
  • Project Management Fundamentals

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

CompTIA A+CompTIA Network+CompTIA Security+

Partial Coverage

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

Requires in-depth knowledge of security management practices, incident response, and risk management. Focus study on legal and ethical issues, business continuity, and disaster recovery planning.

Project Management Professional (PMP)30% covered

Requires more formal training in project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and the PMBOK guide. Study earned value management, stakeholder management, and project closure processes.

Recommended Next Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator AssociateITIL 4 Foundation

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
Air Force Network (AFNET)Enterprise network (Cisco, Juniper)
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systemsVoIP systems (Cisco, Avaya, Microsoft Teams Phone)
Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS)Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems (e.g., AirWatch, MobileIron)
Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI)Hardware Security Modules (HSM)
Remedy Help Desk SystemServiceNow, Zendesk, Jira Service Management
Base Area Network (BAN)Local Area Network (LAN)

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