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2E773 Career Guide

Air Force

2E773: Client Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Client Systems Technician (2E773)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 2E773 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 in deploying, sustaining, troubleshooting, and repairing client systems directly translates to the responsibilities of a Systems Administrator. You're already familiar with hardware and software management, OS configuration, and network troubleshooting. Your sustainment planning and management experience is valuable for maintaining system stability and performance.

Typical stack:

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

Network Engineer

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1241
Good match

Your work with voice, data, and video networks, including configuration, management, and troubleshooting, aligns well with the role of a Network Engineer. You have experience with network fundamentals, voice network configuration, and PWCS, giving you a solid foundation for designing, implementing, and managing network infrastructure.

Typical stack:

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

Security Engineer

Security

SOC 15-1212
Moderate match

Your experience reporting security incidents and executing corrective security procedures, along with your understanding of information security fundamentals, provides a base for becoming a Security Engineer. Your experience with Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) and Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS) also touches on security aspects relevant to this role.

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 managing projects, coordinating repairs, and planning implementations is relevant to DevOps. Your background in sustainment planning and management also aligns with the operational aspects of DevOps. Learning cloud technologies and automation will bridge the gap.

Typical stack:

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

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 2E773 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Client Device Hardware Troubleshooting and RepairHardware troubleshooting and repair in general compute environments (desktops, servers, etc.)
  • Operating System Installation and Configuration (Windows)Windows Server administration, including user and group management, security patching, and performance monitoring.
  • Network Fundamentals and TroubleshootingTCP/IP networking, routing and switching concepts, and network diagnostic tools (e.g., ping, traceroute, Wireshark).
  • User Account Management (Active Directory)User and group management, permissions assignment, and security policy enforcement in Active Directory environments.
  • Voice Network Configuration and ManagementVoIP configuration, PBX administration, and call routing.
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS) ConfigurationWireless network configuration, security protocols (e.g., WPA2/3), and mobile device management (MDM).
  • Information Security Fundamentals and Incident ReportingSecurity best practices, vulnerability management, incident response procedures, and security information and event management (SIEM) tools.
  • Sustainment Planning and ManagementIT service management (ITSM) frameworks (e.g., ITIL), change management processes, and disaster recovery planning.
  • System ModelingDesign and management of complex systems in the civilian sector.
  • Rapid PrioritizationManaging projects, responding to crises, and ensuring business continuity.
  • Procedural ComplianceRoles requiring high levels of accuracy, consistency, and risk management.
  • Resource OptimizationManaging budgets, negotiating contracts, and improving operational efficiency.
  • Situational AwarenessEffective decision-making and proactive problem-solving.

Skills to Learn

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

Linux system administration fundamentalsScripting with Bash or PythonConfiguration management tools like Ansible or PuppetCloud networking concepts (VPC, subnets, security groups)Network automation with Python and libraries like Netmiko or NAPALMFirewall configuration and management (e.g., iptables, pfSense)Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools (e.g., Splunk, ELK stack)Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing basicsCloud security best practices (AWS, Azure, GCP)Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes basicsInfrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform or CloudFormationCI/CD pipeline setup and management (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI)

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 2E773 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Computer Support Specialist

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Network Administrator

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA Network+

Help Desk Technician

$55K
High matchVery high demand

Information Security Analyst

$105K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Security+Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific telecom vendor certifications (e.g., Avaya, Cisco)Commercial cabling and fiber optics certifications

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2E773 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You build and maintain a mental model of complex IT systems, including voice, data, video networks, and cryptographic devices, to effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues.

Your ability to understand the interdependencies within a system, predict potential points of failure, and optimize performance translates into designing and managing complex systems in the civilian sector.

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely assess the urgency and impact of IT issues, whether security incidents, system malfunctions, or user requests, to allocate resources and effort effectively.

Your skill in quickly triaging issues based on criticality and impact is highly valuable for managing projects, responding to crises, and ensuring business continuity in fast-paced environments.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict technical data, instructions, work standards, and security protocols when installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting IT systems.

Your meticulous approach to following established procedures and regulations makes you an ideal candidate for roles requiring high levels of accuracy, consistency, and risk management.

Resource Optimization

You determine the most economical and efficient repair methods for malfunctioning equipment, manage project funding from inception to completion, and evaluate contracts for cost-effectiveness.

Your aptitude for maximizing resources, minimizing waste, and achieving cost savings is directly transferable to roles where you'll be responsible for managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and improving operational efficiency.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor the status of systems, projects, and security threats to anticipate problems, identify potential risks, and adapt your approach accordingly.

Your ability to stay informed about the environment around you, to identify potential problems before they occur, and to adjust your actions based on the situation is crucial for effective decision-making and proactive problem-solving.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been managing complex systems, responding to incidents, and ensuring operational continuity in challenging environments. Your expertise in risk assessment, disaster recovery, and business resilience makes you an ideal candidate for this role.

IT Project Manager

SOC 15-1299.09

You've been planning, scheduling, and implementing IT projects, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with technical standards. Your experience in overseeing complex projects from start to finish equips you for success in this role.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9044.00

You've been providing service and guidance to end-users, interpreting malfunctions, and prescribing corrective actions. Your ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner makes you a natural educator.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Client Systems Training, Keesler AFB, MS

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in computer technology or information technology.

Topics Covered

  • Client Device Hardware Troubleshooting and Repair
  • Operating System Installation and Configuration (Windows)
  • Network Fundamentals and Troubleshooting
  • User Account Management (Active Directory)
  • Voice Network Configuration and Management
  • Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS) Configuration
  • Information Security Fundamentals and Incident Reporting
  • Sustainment Planning and Management

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

CompTIA A+CompTIA Network+

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Security+70% covered

Requires study of security concepts, risk management, and some compliance regulations.

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)50% covered

Requires studying Cisco-specific networking technologies, configurations, and troubleshooting.

Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate60% covered

Requires studying in-depth Microsoft Windows 10 configuration, management, and troubleshooting, especially in an enterprise environment using Microsoft 365 services.

Recommended Next Certifications

ITIL FoundationCompTIA Project+Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

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 Systems (CMMS)
Remedy IT Service Management (ITSM)ServiceNow, Jira Service Management
Joint Incident Management System (JIMS)Major Incident Management Platforms
Personal Wireless Communication Systems (PWCS)Commercial Wireless Communication Systems (e.g., cellular networks, two-way radios)
Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) managementHardware Security Module (HSM) management, encryption key management systems
Automated Information System (AIS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Telephone SystemsBusiness VoIP solutions (e.g., Cisco, Vonage, RingCentral)

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