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2E391 Career Guide

Air Force

2E391: Client Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Client Systems Technician (2E391)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 2E391 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, and troubleshooting client systems directly translates to systems administration. You have experience managing hardware and software, performing configuration and troubleshooting, and ensuring system performance. Focus on learning Linux server administration and cloud fundamentals.

Typical stack:

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

Network Engineer

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1241
Good match

Your experience with voice, data, and video networks, including configuration, management, and troubleshooting, aligns with network engineering. You understand network fundamentals and client connectivity. Learn about network protocols, routing, and switching, plus network security concepts.

Typical stack:

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

Security Engineer

Security

SOC 15-1212
Good match

Your experience reporting security incidents and executing corrective security procedures makes you a good fit for security engineering. You understand cryptographic client device maintenance and security incident reporting. You can expand this experience by learning about common security vulnerabilities, security tools, and incident response techniques.

Typical stack:

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

Cloud Engineer

DevOps / Platform

SOC 15-1241
Moderate match

Your experience managing information systems and project implementation activities can transfer to cloud engineering. Focus on learning cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Your skills in system modeling and procedural compliance will be valuable in designing and maintaining cloud infrastructure.

Typical stack:

One major cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)Networking (VPC, subnets, routing)IAM and security boundariesCost optimizationInfrastructure as Code

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 2E391 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Client device hardware troubleshootingHardware troubleshooting and repair
  • Operating system installation and configurationOperating system management
  • Network fundamentals and client connectivityNetwork troubleshooting
  • Voice network systems configurationVoIP systems administration
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS) managementMobile device management (MDM)
  • Cryptographic client device maintenanceData encryption and security
  • Security incident reporting and proceduresSecurity incident response
  • Project planning and implementationIT project management
  • Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software
  • Remedy Action Request System (Remedy ARS)IT Service Management (ITSM) platforms
  • Air Force Network (AFNET)Enterprise network infrastructure

Skills to Learn

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

Linux server administrationCloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)Networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)Routing and switchingNetwork security concepts (firewalls, intrusion detection)Common security vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)Security tools (SIEM, vulnerability scanners)Incident response techniquesInfrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform or CloudFormationContainerization with Docker and KubernetesCloud security best practices

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 2E391 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Network Administrator

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA Network+

Help Desk Manager

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ITIL Foundation CertificationCustomer service management experience

Telecommunications Specialist

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Experience with specific telecom platforms (e.g., Avaya, Cisco)Project management skills

Information Security Analyst

$95K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools

IT Project Manager

$98K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologiesScrum Master certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E391 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You analyze complex network systems to understand their components and how they interact, allowing you to predict potential points of failure and optimize performance.

This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates directly into the civilian world where you can design, troubleshoot, and improve business processes or technology infrastructure.

Rapid Prioritization

When multiple systems go down simultaneously, you quickly assess the impact of each failure and prioritize restoration efforts to minimize disruption to critical operations.

In the civilian sector, this skill enables you to effectively manage competing demands, especially in high-pressure environments where quick decisions are crucial to project success or customer satisfaction.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere strictly to established protocols and technical data when performing maintenance, upgrades, and security procedures on network and communication systems.

Your experience with strict adherence to procedures makes you valuable in industries with high regulatory oversight, ensuring compliance and minimizing risks of errors or violations.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You maintain system functionality and provide workaround solutions even when key systems are damaged or unavailable, ensuring continuity of communications and data services under adverse conditions.

This skill showcases your ability to adapt and innovate when resources are limited. Civilian employers will value your problem-solving capabilities during crises or unexpected challenges.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been responsible for maintaining operations during degraded mode situations; that experience translates directly into designing and implementing strategies that ensure business functions continue during disruptions.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9044.00

You've managed projects and trained personnel on complex systems; that gives you a solid foundation to teach technical skills to others, bridging the knowledge gap in a variety of industries.

IT Risk Manager

SOC 11-3021.00

You've consistently reported security incidents and executed corrective procedures. That vigilance and procedural compliance makes you an ideal candidate to assess and mitigate IT risks within an organization.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Client Systems Technician Course, Keesler AFB, MS

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Information Technology

Topics Covered

  • Client device hardware troubleshooting
  • Operating system installation and configuration
  • Network fundamentals and client connectivity
  • Voice network systems configuration
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS) management
  • Cryptographic client device maintenance
  • Security incident reporting and procedures
  • Project planning and implementation

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

CompTIA A+CompTIA Network+CompTIA Security+

Partial Coverage

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate60% covered

Focus on Cisco specific networking concepts, routing protocols, and hands-on experience with Cisco equipment.

ITIL Foundation50% covered

Study the ITIL framework's service management lifecycle and best practices for IT service delivery and support.

Recommended Next Certifications

CompTIA CySA+Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software, such as IBM Maximo or SAP Plant Maintenance
Remedy Action Request System (Remedy ARS)IT Service Management (ITSM) platforms like ServiceNow, Jira Service Management
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems (e.g., Cisco Unified Communications Manager)Business VoIP solutions (e.g., Cisco, Microsoft Teams Phone, Zoom Phone)
Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS) with Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) (e.g., secure mobile devices)Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions with encryption (e.g., Microsoft Intune, BlackBerry UEM)
Automated Message Handling System (AMHS)Secure email and messaging platforms (e.g., ProtonMail, Signal for enterprise)
Spectrum Analyzers (e.g., for detecting interference)RF spectrum analysis tools (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz)
Air Force Network (AFNET)Enterprise network infrastructure (e.g. Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto Networks)

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