U.S. Army Job Profile: 25C Radio Operator-Maintainer

In the Army, adequate communication is important, especially in combat or field situations. Radio operator-maintainers are primarily responsible for all maintenance checks and services of radio communication equipment.

Military occupational specialty (MOS) 25C has a wide variety of duties with a focus on keeping radio and other communication equipment up to date and working properly.

Radio Operator-Maintainer (25C) Duties & Responsibilities

The list of duties for this MOS is long, but it all comes down to keeping the radios working.

• Soldiers in this job will install, operate and perform preventive maintenance checks on radios, radio teletypewriters, and other communications equipment, including security equipment, vehicles, and power generators.
• Soldiers will oversee communication security and security policies, and implement electronic countermeasures as needed.
• Soldiers may record, send and receive messages

Radio Operator-Maintainer (25C) Salary

Total compensation for this position includes food, housing, special pay, medical, and vacation time. If you enlist under certain MOS codes in the Army, you may also be eligible for certain cash bonuses of up to $40,000 if the HR specialist job is considered one of the Army's Jobs in Demand.

You may also be able to earn education benefits, such as scholarships to cover the full cost of tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and money for books and fees.

Education, Training & Certification

Candidates need to complete a training program and go through testing for this position, as follows:

• Testing: You'll need to score a 98 on the Surveillance and Communications (SC) section of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, and an 89 on the Electronics (EL) section.
• Training: Job training for a radio operator-maintainer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and in the field, for about three months at the Army's Fort Gordon in Georgia.

Some of the skills you’ll learn in this job include:

• Mechanical and electrical principles
• Preventive maintenance procedures
• Line installation and wiring techniques
• Communication of security policies and procedures

Radio Operator-Maintainer (25C) Skills & Competencies

The following are additional skills, interests, and qualifications that individuals need or could benefit from having in order to perform well in this position:

• Interest in electronics or radio equipment
• Ability to qualify for a secret security clearance, which means you should have a record free of arrests or drug activity.
• Submission to a background investigation that will examine your financial records and include interviews with personal and professional references.
• Possess the ability to type a minimum of 25 words per minute and be a U.S. citizen.

Job Outlook

Once your military service is complete, you'll find that many civilian companies have a need for experienced radio operator-maintainer professionals. There's a variety of options for a post-military career, including jobs as a radio mechanic, radio operator or dispatcher. This training will prepare you for work in the telecommunications field, for jobs repairing and installing equipment, or as a supervisor of mechanics, installers, and repairers.

Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program

Soldiers interested in being a radio operator-maintainer outside of the military may be eligible for civilian employment by enrolling in the Army PaYS program. The PaYS program is a recruitment option that guarantees a job interview with military friendly employers that are looking for experienced and trained Veterans to join their organization. You can find out more online at the Army PaYS Program site. The following are some of the companies that participate in the program:

• AAI CORPORATION
• EATON CORPORATION
• L-3 Communications Linguist Operations & Technical Support
• Comcast Cable Communications, Inc
• CISCO SYSTEMS
• CDW, LLC
• CoxCom, Inc.
• T-Mobile

Work Environment

The job of a radio operator-maintainer is performed in the field and can be located either on land or aboard a ship.

Work Schedule

This position typically has a full-time work schedule.

Comparing Similar Jobs

Civilian jobs that have similar job duties are as follows, along with their annual salaries:

• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers: $56,100
• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers: $57,890
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers: $99,070

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018