Tactical Air Operations/Air Defense Systems Technician

  • Ratings Average Rating:
  • Required Test Average Duration: 2.3
  • Desinnation Designation: 5979
  • Number Employed Number Employed: 235
  • Category Category: Electronics Maintenance
  • Age Average Age: 23
Tactical Air Operations/Air Defense Systems Technicians perform and supervise installation, alignment, inspection, testing, maintenance and repair of electronic assemblies and subassemblies, fiber optic cables, and system software of all tactical air operations and air defense systems within the Marine Air Command and Control Systems (MACCS). They make periodic inspections and perform preventive maintenance; use proper safety procedures in systems maintenance and operation; diagnose and isolate malfunctions to the fault; remove and replace LRU (line repairable unit) if hardware, and perform corrective measures of software and verify that the malfunction has been corrected. 
Category Requirements
Age17-28
Citizenship RequiredCitizen or Green Card
Minimum Duration4 years
High School DiplomaPreferred
GED AcceptedYes (limited)
Minimum ASVAB (AFQT)~31
Waivers AvailableModerate
Drug History WaiversPossible
Tattoo PolicyStrict
Face/Neck TattoosNo
Hand TattoosLimited
Height Requirement~58–78 in
Weight StandardsYes
Medical Exam (MEPS)Required
Vision StandardsModerate
Security Clearance JobsSome
Physical Fitness TestPFT/CFT
Basic Training Length~13 weeks
Basic Training DifficultyVery High
Deployment FrequencyHigh
Combat Job AvailabilityHigh
Technical JobsMedium
Overseas BasesMany
Signing BonusesModerate
Women in Combat RolesYes
Job Selection ProcessOften assigned
Promotion SpeedFast
Branch CultureWarrior Culture
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