Satellite Communication Systems Specialist

Army 25S Satellite Communication Systems Specialists, formerly titled Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainers, are the soldiers who keep military satellite links alive. They operate and maintain satellite terminals including the AN/TSC-156 Phoenix, the Secure Tactical Terminal (STT), SNAP terminals, and various VSAT platforms that provide wideband and narrowband satellite connectivity to commanders in the field. When a brigade needs data, voice, or video reach-back to higher headquarters from a remote location, 25S soldiers are the ones making that connection happen.

Training begins at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia (formerly Fort Gordon) at the U.S. Army Signal School. The course covers satellite communications theory, antenna alignment and pointing, signal propagation, modem configuration, baseband equipment, multiplexing, and troubleshooting. Soldiers learn to calculate link budgets, coordinate with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) for satellite access, and configure terminals to operate across military and commercial satellite constellations. After AIT, many 25S soldiers attend additional courses on specific terminal platforms or earn Satellite Systems Repairer certifications.

What sets 25S experience apart from civilian satellite work is the operational environment. 25S soldiers deploy satellite terminals in field conditions — setting up an AN/TSC-156 Phoenix in a tactical environment, aligning the antenna to acquire the satellite, establishing the link, and maintaining connectivity while the unit moves. They build PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) communication plans, troubleshoot signal degradation caused by weather or terrain, and coordinate frequency assignments with DISA and the Satellite Access Authorization (SAA) process. When connectivity drops during an operation, the 25S does not call tech support — they diagnose and fix it on the spot.

Many 25S soldiers hold a Secret clearance, with some billets requiring TS/SCI depending on the unit and mission. Duty stations include Fort Eisenhower (GA), Fort Liberty (NC), Fort Cavazos (TX), Germany, South Korea, and various satellite ground stations worldwide. The standup of the U.S. Space Force and growing reliance on satellite-based communications have increased the strategic importance of SATCOM expertise. The commercial space industry — SpaceX Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and next-generation satellite constellations — has created private sector demand for people who understand satellite operations from the ground up, and 25S soldiers are among the few who have hands-on operational experience with these systems.

After my Navy time I pivoted into tech sales — and 25Ss have one of the best lanes for that exact move. SATCOM operators understand satellite link architecture and communications planning at a depth most civilian sales engineers never reach. That technical credibility opens doors at companies selling SATCOM services, ground systems, and secure comms. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder

The private sector satellite and telecommunications industry is growing, and 25S experience translates into several career paths depending on whether you pursue technician-level or engineering-level roles. Be honest with yourself about this distinction: technician roles value your hands-on operational experience directly, while engineering roles typically require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, or a related field. Both paths pay well — but the entry requirements are different.

According to BLS OEWS May 2024 data, the median annual wage for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians is $77,180 (O*NET 17-3023.00). For Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, the median is $62,630 (O*NET 49-2022.00). If you move into network engineering or administration, Network and Computer Systems Administrators earn a median of $96,800 (O*NET 15-1244.00). On the engineering side, Electrical Engineers earn a median of $111,910 (O*NET 17-2071.00) and Electronics Engineers earn $127,590 (O*NET 17-2072.00). Aerospace Engineering Technologists and Technicians — a strong fit for 25S soldiers targeting the space industry — earn a median of $79,830 (O*NET 17-3021.00) with much faster than average growth.

The commercial space industry is where 25S experience has the highest growth potential. Companies like SpaceX, L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, Hughes/EchoStar, Viasat, and SES are building and operating next-generation satellite constellations. They need people who understand ground segment operations, satellite link budgets, antenna systems, and RF signal chain troubleshooting — all core 25S skills. Defense contractors like Raytheon (RTX), General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin also hire heavily for satellite ground system positions because they build and maintain the same terminals 25S soldiers operate.

For 25S soldiers without a degree, the strongest entry points are Satellite Communications Technician, Field Service Engineer, and Telecom Technician roles. These positions directly value your hands-on terminal experience and troubleshooting skills. From there, many technicians advance into systems engineering or program management within 3-5 years through a combination of on-the-job experience and industry certifications. If you do have or plan to earn a degree, RF Engineer and Satellite Communications Engineer roles open up with significantly higher salary ceilings.

Your security clearance adds real market value. Many satellite programs — both military and commercial — involve classified or ITAR-restricted work. An active Secret or TS/SCI clearance saves employers months of processing time and thousands of dollars. Defense contractors and companies working on government satellite programs specifically recruit cleared candidates.

Related military jobs with overlapping skills: Army 25B (IT Specialist), Army 25U (Signal Support), Air Force 1C6X1 (Space Systems Operations), and Navy ET (Electronics Technician) share transferable skills in communications and electronics. For a full glossary of military-to-civilian term translations, see 50 Military Terms and Their Civilian Equivalents.

Federal agencies employ satellite communications and telecommunications professionals across multiple GS series. For 25S soldiers, the most direct path is the GS-0391 (Telecommunications) series, which covers managing, operating, and maintaining communication systems — exactly what you did in uniform. DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency) is a major employer in this series and one of the organizations 25S soldiers already coordinate with for satellite access.

The GS-0856 (Electronics Technician) series covers installing, maintaining, and repairing electronic equipment in federal facilities — satellite terminals, communication equipment, and signal processing systems all fall here. The GS-2210 (IT Management) series is the broadest federal technology path, covering network administration, cybersecurity, and systems management across every federal agency. 25S soldiers with COMSEC experience and CompTIA Security+ have a direct entry point into GS-2210 information assurance positions.

For 25S soldiers with or pursuing engineering degrees, the GS-1550 (Computer Science) series and GS-0855 (Electronics Engineering) series open up higher-grade positions in satellite systems engineering and development programs. The U.S. Space Force civilian workforce is growing and actively recruiting people with satellite operations experience for both technical and program management roles.

Beyond the technical series, 25S experience qualifies you for a range of administrative and management positions: GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration), GS-0340 (Program Management), GS-0343 (Management and Program Analyst), GS-0080 (Security Administration — especially for COMSEC experience), GS-0201 (Human Resources Management — for senior NCOs with personnel management experience), GS-1101 (General Business and Industry), GS-0346 (Logistics Management), GS-1670 (Equipment Specialist), GS-1712 (Training Instruction), GS-0560 (Budget Analyst), and GS-1102 (Contracting).

Key agencies for former 25S soldiers include DISA, Space Force (civilian positions), Army CECOM (Communications-Electronics Command), PEO C3T (Program Executive Office Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical), NAVSEA/NAVWAR, NSA, NGA, and the various Army signal brigades that employ civilian technicians alongside military personnel. Veterans' Preference gives you 5 or 10 extra points on federal hiring assessments. Your security clearance is especially valuable at defense and intelligence agencies. Start your federal resume early — federal hiring takes months, not weeks. Build your federal resume here, and see Federal Resume Format 2026 for current OPM requirements. For a broader overview of federal job series, check 10 Federal Job Series for Veterans.

If you are applying to satellite companies, defense contractors, telecom firms, or DISA — your terminology is the industry standard. Those employers know what a link budget is, they understand DISA coordination, and they have worked with the same terminals. You probably do not need this section.

But if you are targeting careers outside of communications — project management, cybersecurity, sales, operations, or management roles — the hiring manager has never heard of PACE plans, SAA requests, or Phoenix terminals. The translations below reframe your 25S experience into language that resonates in non-SATCOM industries. These are not just word swaps. They show how to quantify and contextualize your satellite communications background for a completely different audience.