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Marine Corps MOS · IT & Cyber

5974 Tactical Data Systems Technician

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

A Tactical Data Systems Technician diagnoses, repairs, and modifies communications data systems in selected Marine Air Control Group units. The technician installs, operates, configures, troubleshoots, and repairs fiber optic cables, switched local area networks and devices, computers, servers, virtual systems, and system software or firmware used in Marine Air Command and Control Systems.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Minimum ASVAB: EL 110

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: navmc-1200-1l-fy26 (source date 2025-03). Policy applicability has not been established.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Core Skills

  • Fiber optic cable installation and repair
  • Switched local network configuration and troubleshooting
  • Physical and virtual server maintenance
  • Aviation command and control installation planning

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Computer Network Support Specialists

Configuring and troubleshooting switched local networks, servers, and end-user computers transfers directly to diagnosing civilian network problems.

How to prepare: Build a small network lab and document fault diagnosis, corrective configuration changes, and verification of restored connectivity.

What the civilian work involves
  • Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
  • Document network support activities.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows Server

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

Installing and repairing fiber optic cables, switched network devices, and communications data systems aligns with telecommunications equipment installation and repair.

How to prepare: Complete hands-on training with commercial data communications equipment, practicing installation checks and post-repair testing against manufacturer specifications.

What the civilian work involves
  • Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
  • Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Cisco IOS

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • CompTIA Network+ · Funded

    Validate networking, troubleshooting, hardware, and network resilience knowledge for civilian network support.

    For: Computer Network Support Specialists

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) · Funded

    Develop and validate network access, IP connectivity, IP services, and security fundamentals for Cisco-oriented network support and equipment installation.

    Eligibility and preparation: No certification exam prerequisites.

    For: Computer Network Support Specialists, Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (5 documents)
  1. NAVMC 1200.1L (FY26, in force): MOS 5974

    [1] MOS 5974 section "a. Summary"; cached text line 48183; NAVMC 1200.1L signed 2025-03-07, in force until 2026-10-01

    Supports: Fiber optic cable installation and repair, Switched local network configuration and troubleshooting, Physical and virtual server maintenance, Aviation command and control installation planning, Computer Network Support Specialists (O*NET 15-1231.00), Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers (O*NET 49-2022.00)

  2. O*NET: Computer Network Support Specialists

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Computer Network Support Specialists (O*NET 15-1231.00)

  3. O*NET: Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

    [3] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers (O*NET 49-2022.00)

  4. COOL credential mapping: CompTIA Network+

    [4] 5974 cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: CompTIA Network+

    [5]CompTIA: Network+ (Plus) certification exam details · Exam details; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: CompTIA Network+

  5. COOL credential mapping: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

    [6] 5974 cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

    [7]Cisco: CCNA certification · How to earn your CCNA, Core exam 200-301 CCNA; updated 31 August 2026, retrieved 23 September 2026

    Supports: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Defense contractor jobs for 5974

Predecessor codes

Historical codes with documented links to 5974. Each history page explains the change.

5962Tactical Data Systems Equipment (TDSE) Repairer

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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