by our College Data Analytics TeamMilitary systems maintenance and technology is a technical track for students wishing to join the armed services in a number of available roles. This may include positions in aerospace ground equipment, air and space operations technology, munitions systems, explosive ordinance, joint task force, missile technology and military information systems technology. These are technical positions open to enlisted and commissioned officers and focus on technical aspects of the military.
You may be responsible for clearing an area suspected of having unexploded ordnance, or you may be responsible for maintaining munitions systems on various vehicles. The number of ??systems" involved in the military is staggering, and people working in systems maintenance are critical to ensuring the success of the armed forces and the missions they carry out.
Courses in military systems will focus on the hands-on knowledge needed to perform in a variety of roles. Enlisted members can pick a technical specialty after basic training where they will learn how to perform their assigned job. Commissioned officers earn their bachelor's degrees in one of the federal service academies where they can then choose a specialization.
In 2020-2021, military systems and maintenance technology was the 314th most popular major nationwide with 236 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 53 over the prior year, a growth of 22.5%.
Our 2023 Best Military Systems & Maintenance Technology Schools ranking analyzes 3 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for military systems and maintenance technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of military systems programs later in this article.
Besides your education, you will also need to meet several qualifications to become a member of the armed services. You must be at least 17 years old, be a US citizen or permanent resident and be able to pass a medical exam.
You must have the ability to work well with others. You must learn to trust and rely on others, and you must also provide support and do your assigned tasks to ensure the safety and success of your team. Other important skills are the ability to work well under stressful situations.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most military systems degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional military systems certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Military Systems degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in military systems and maintenance technology to something that takes less time like a . The type of military systems degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
In today's armed services, technology plays a huge role. Very few systems don't have a technical system behind them and being able to operate and maintain these systems is of great importance. Pay will vary depending on your pay grade and number of years of service and whether you are enlisted or a commissioned officer.
Want a job when you graduate with your military systems degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to military systems and maintenance technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|
Recently graduated military systems and maintenance technology students earned an average of $37,861 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $37,861 to as high as $37,861. As you might expect, salaries for military systems graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for military systems and maintenance technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers military systems grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|
With over 9 different military systems degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased military systems school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Military Technologies & Applied Sciences area of study, Military Systems & Maintenance Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Air & Space Operations Technology | 145 |
| Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology | 65 |
| Explosive Ordinance/Bomb Disposal | 23 |
| Joint Command/Task Force (C3, C4I) Systems | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Intelligence & Command Control Operations | 3,742 |
| Military Applied Sciences | 335 |
| Other Military Tech & Applied Sciences | 142 |
| Military Technology and Applied Sciences Management | 22 |
