Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other.: The DTI for this program is 54.9%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $37861) to the average debt ($20784) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 54.9%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($37861) against the typical student debt ($20784), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $37861, with grads carrying about $20784 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.55—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 188 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other (CIP 29.0499) is an advanced industrial and mechanical frontier for specialists who ensure that a nation's most complex defense assets—from stealth jets to nuclear submarines—remain "mission-ready" at all times. While standard maintenance focuses on routine repairs, professionals in this "Other" category are "Lifecycle Architects." They study predictive maintenance algorithms, additive manufacturing (3D printing) in the field, reliability engineering, and the sustainment of legacy systems in high-stress environments. It is a path for "technical problem-solvers" who want to master the science of keeping the world's most sophisticated machinery functioning under the worst possible conditions.
This field is ideal for "mechanical strategists"—individuals who are fascinated by the "guts" of a machine and want to apply engineering, data science, and logistics to prevent equipment failure before it happens.
What Is a "Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other" Degree?
A degree in this category is a technical STEM path that emphasizes systems reliability, diagnostics, and industrial management. You will study the "Sustainment Core"—mechanics, electronics, and hydraulics—but your focus will be on advanced or non-traditional maintenance strategies. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Digital Twins (creating virtual copies of engines to predict wear), Expeditionary Maintenance (repairing gear in remote combat zones), or Robotic Maintenance Systems. It prepares you to be a "Readiness Expert" capable of managing the massive technical infrastructure required for national security.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Maintenance Test Pilots and Engineers" who can diagnose complex failures in aerospace or naval systems
- Develop experts in Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), focusing on using math to determine exactly when a part will break
- Prepare professionals for Advanced Manufacturing, learning how to 3D print critical spare parts on a ship or at a forward base
- Study Fleet Management, exploring how to keep thousands of vehicles operational while minimizing costs and downtime
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that "the best repair is the one that never has to happen." You focus on the technical logic and diagnostic mastery required to keep high-tech systems at peak performance.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Advanced Diagnostics—using thermal imaging, vibration analysis, and sensor data to "see" inside an engine
- Use "Integrated Logistics Support (ILS)"—designing the supply chains that ensure the right part is in the right place at the right time
- Design Maintenance Protocols—creating the step-by-step technical manuals used by thousands of technicians
- Perform Root Cause Analysis—using engineering principles to figure out why a system failed and how to prevent it in the future
- Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)—using software to track the health of an entire fleet of assets
- Understand Corrosion Control and Material Science—protecting advanced metals and composites from salt, sand, and extreme heat
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of mechanical engineering, data analytics, and operational leadership:
- Systems Reliability Engineering: The math and physics of how long components last under different levels of stress.
- Avionics and Electronic Warfare Maintenance: Learning to repair the "brains" and "sensors" of modern military aircraft.
- Propulsion Systems: A deep dive into the mechanics of jet engines, diesel-electric subs, and rocket motors.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Using X-rays, ultrasound, and lasers to find cracks in metal without breaking the part.
- Supply Chain and Inventory Logic: Managing the millions of parts required to keep a military functional.
- Automation in Maintenance: How to use drones and robots to inspect aircraft or hulls in dangerous locations.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as maintenance directors, reliability engineers, and technical project managers in the military, aerospace, and heavy industry sectors.
Common job roles include:
- Maintenance Operations Manager: Overseeing the repair and readiness of an entire wing of aircraft or a fleet of ships.
- Reliability Engineer: Working for manufacturers like Boeing or Lockheed to make their equipment more durable.
- Technical Representative (Tech Rep): Acting as a liaison between the military and the company that built the equipment to solve "unsolvable" repair issues.
- Logistics Planner: Coordinating the global movement of parts and tools to support active missions.
- Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector: Ensuring that every repair meets the extreme safety standards required for flight or combat.
- Systems Sustainment Analyst: Using data to calculate the "total cost of ownership" for new military hardware.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "lifeline" of any organization that relies on complex machinery:
- The Armed Forces: Serving as a specialized maintenance officer or civilian expert in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
- Defense Contractors: Working at places like Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon, or General Dynamics.
- Commercial Aerospace: Applying military-grade maintenance standards to major airlines like Delta or United.
- Energy and Infrastructure: Managing the maintenance of nuclear power plants or massive offshore wind farms.
- Government Labs: Researching new ways to extend the life of aging national infrastructure.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the high cost of the equipment being managed and the technical expertise required, salaries in this field are substantial.
- Senior Maintenance/Reliability Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $105,000–$150,000+.
- Systems Sustainment Engineers: Salaries typically range from $90,000 to $135,000.
- Logistics and Supply Chain Managers: Median annual salary of around $85,000–$125,000.
- Entry-Level Technical Leads: Often start between $65,000 and $85,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the technical breadth and the pressure of accountability. You must understand mechanical, electrical, and software systems all at once. It requires a highly disciplined, meticulous, and "hands-on" mindset—you must be the person who notices a loose bolt or a weird sensor reading that everyone else missed. It is a major that rewards those who are "Mechanical Detectives" and who find purpose in ensuring that when a soldier or pilot "pushes the button," the system works perfectly every time.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love taking things apart and putting them back together to see how they work
- Are interested in high-tech machinery like jets, tanks, and drones
- Enjoy using data and computers to solve "real-world" physical problems
- Want a career that balances time in a high-tech office with time "on the floor" in a hangar or shipyard
- Believe that "readiness" and "reliability" are the most important parts of national security
How to Prepare in High School
- Take AP Physics and AP Calculus; the math of stress, strain, and movement is essential
- Take AP Computer Science; modern maintenance is driven by software and data analytics
- Join a Robotics Team or Auto Shop to get hands-on experience with tools and mechanical systems
- Practice Documentation—learn how to write clear, step-by-step instructions for a complex task
- Read about "Lean Manufacturing" and "Six Sigma" to understand how modern industries stay efficient and error-free
The ability to apply mechanical logic and maintenance mastery to the complexities of high-stakes defense systems is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
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