FC Rating Fire Controlman — Civilian Career Guide
Maintains and operates weapons systems fire control equipment. Transfers to systems engineering, quality control, and technical specialist roles.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$99,000.00
AVG SALARY
$70,438.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Systems Engineer
SOC 17-2199
$99,000.00
median/yr
Quality Control Inspector
SOC 51-9061
$46,750.00
median/yr
Technical Specialist
SOC 49-2094
$68,000.00
median/yr
Defense Systems Technician
SOC 17-3029
$68,000.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most FC Fire Controlman veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Navy COOL ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with FC service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Fire Controlman role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Rucks, jumps, and repetitive impact wear the knees.
See how it is rated →Helmets, NODs, and overhead work load the neck.
See how it is rated →Blast exposure and impacts can cause lasting effects.
See how it is rated →Often secondary to neck strain, TBI, or stress.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your FC Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Fire Controlman skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Navy veterans.
FC Fire Controlman: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a FC Fire Controlman do?
Maintains and operates weapons systems fire control equipment. Transfers to systems engineering, quality control, and technical specialist roles.
What civilian jobs can a FC Fire Controlman transition into?
Common civilian careers for a FC (Navy Rating) Fire Controlman include Systems Engineer, Quality Control Inspector, Technical Specialist, and Defense Systems Technician. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a FC Fire Controlman make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a FC Fire Controlman have median salaries ranging from about $46,750 to $99,000 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a FC Fire Controlman land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a FC Fire Controlman resume include CompTIA A+, Six Sigma, and ASQ Certifications. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a FC Fire Controlman bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a FC Fire Controlman develops, including Weapons systems, Fire control systems, Precision calibration, Systems testing, and Technical documentation. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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