35E Career Guide
35E: Radio and Communications Security (COMSEC) Repairer
Career transition guide for Army Radio and Communications Security (COMSEC) Repairer (35E)
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Real industry tech roles your 35E background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Security Engineer
Security
Your experience with COMSEC equipment maintenance, cryptographic item handling, and NSA COMSEC standards directly aligns with the responsibilities of a Security Engineer. You're familiar with maintaining secure communication systems, which translates to securing data and networks in civilian applications.
Typical stack:
Network Engineer
Infrastructure
Your work on radio receivers, transmitters, and related communication equipment lays a solid foundation for network engineering. Your experience with diagnosing and repairing malfunctions equips you to troubleshoot network issues.
Typical stack:
Systems Administrator
Infrastructure
Your background in maintaining and repairing communication equipment, performing preventive maintenance, and managing shop operations translates well to systems administration. Your skills in troubleshooting, quality control, and documentation are valuable in managing IT infrastructure.
Typical stack:
IT Support Specialist (Help Desk)
Infrastructure
Your experience providing technical assistance, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and ensuring compliance with standards aligns well with IT support roles. Your ability to explain technical issues and supervise subordinates prepares you for helping users resolve computer-related problems.
Typical stack:
Skills You Already Have
Concrete bridges from 35E experience to tech-industry practice.
- Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting→ Understanding of electronic systems and troubleshooting methodologies applicable to IT infrastructure.
- Cryptographic Item Handling and Security→ Knowledge of encryption and security protocols relevant to cybersecurity roles.
- Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Operation→ Familiarity with diagnostic tools and techniques used in network and system troubleshooting.
- System Modeling→ Analyze complex systems, understand dependencies, predict how changes will affect the whole system.
- Procedural Compliance→ Understand importance of adhering to detailed protocols and guidelines, maintaining security and regulatory standards.
- Resource Optimization→ Managing resources, prioritizing tasks, ensuring supplies are available when needed, managing projects and minimizing downtime.
Skills to Learn
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not generic.
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 ProgramsCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 35E veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Electronics Technician
Skills to develop:
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
Skills to develop:
Information Security Analyst
Skills to develop:
Field Service Technician
Skills to develop:
Technical Trainer
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 35E training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
You developed system models to understand how communication systems and their components interact. This was critical for diagnosing faults and ensuring seamless operation.
You can analyze complex systems, understand their dependencies, and predict how changes in one area will affect the whole. This ability is crucial for designing and troubleshooting complex setups.
Procedural Compliance
You meticulously followed NSA and Army regulations to maintain COMSEC equipment, ensuring that all repairs met stringent security standards.
You understand the importance of adhering to detailed protocols and guidelines. Your commitment to compliance translates into the ability to maintain security and regulatory standards.
Resource Optimization
You managed shop resources, prioritized repairs, and ensured bench stock was appropriately supplied to keep the maintenance operations running efficiently.
You are adept at managing resources, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring that supplies are available when needed. This makes you effective in managing projects and minimizing downtime.
Team Synchronization
You supervised shop repair operations, assigned tasks, and provided technical guidance to subordinates to ensure smooth functioning of the repair facility.
You excel at coordinating teams, assigning tasks, and ensuring that everyone is aligned towards a common goal. This is perfect for leadership roles where team collaboration is key.
Situational Awareness
You constantly monitored the status of equipment repairs, understood the operational needs of supported units, and adjusted repair priorities accordingly.
You possess a keen ability to understand your environment, anticipate changes, and make decisions that align with the overall strategic goals. This allows you to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Specialist
SOC 15-1212You've been maintaining and securing communication equipment, which included understanding complex systems and compliance with stringent security protocols. That makes you well-prepared to protect critical infrastructure systems from cyber threats.
Technical Trainer (Cybersecurity)
SOC 25-9044You've been teaching complex tasks and technical information to subordinates and supported units. This background makes you an excellent candidate for training cybersecurity professionals on the latest tools and techniques.
Field Service Engineer (Robotics)
SOC 49-9062You've been using diagnostic equipment to repair intricate electronic systems. Your ability to troubleshoot and repair robotics systems in the field will make you an invaluable asset.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Electronic Equipment Maintenance Course, Fort Gordon, GA
Topics Covered
- •Electronic Principles and Troubleshooting
- •Radio Receiver and Transmitter Theory
- •COMSEC Equipment Maintenance and Repair Procedures
- •Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Operation
- •Cryptographic Item Handling and Security
- •Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS)
- •Shop Safety and Management
- •National Security Agency (NSA) COMSEC Standards
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Networking fundamentals, routing, and troubleshooting
Advanced security concepts, risk management, and compliance
Specific electronics topics and exam format
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio | Motorola APX Series Two-Way Radios |
| AN/VRC-92E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) | Harris Falcon III Vehicular Radio Systems |
| KG-250 Inline Network Encryptor (INE) | Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics |
| Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) | Secure Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions |
| AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader (SKL) | Thales Key Management System |
| Harris RF-7800S Secure Personal Radio | L3Harris Technologies Secure Communications Systems |
| Cryptographic Modernization Program | Data encryption standard (DES) |
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