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11G3 Career Guide

Air Force

11G3: Airfield Operations Officer

Career transition guide for Air Force Airfield Operations Officer (11G3)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 11G3 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Management Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Consulting experienceData analysis software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Operations Manager

$110K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Lean Six Sigma certificationSupply chain management knowledge

Budget Analyst

$80K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Government accounting standards knowledgeCertified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certifications (e.g., FEMA)Local government experience

Training and Development Manager

$90K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Corporate training experienceInstructional design expertiseLearning management system (LMS) proficiency

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 11G3 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an 11G3, you constantly assess incoming information from multiple sources – flight operations, training programs, equipment needs, budget constraints – and make rapid decisions on which issues demand immediate attention to maintain operational effectiveness.

This ability to quickly triage competing demands and focus on the most critical tasks translates directly to roles requiring efficient decision-making under pressure and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Resource Optimization

You develop requirements for equipment and training, prepare budgets, and analyze manpower requirements, all with the goal of maximizing the effectiveness of limited resources in achieving mission objectives.

Your experience in allocating resources strategically and finding efficiencies is valuable in any organization striving to improve performance and reduce costs.

System Modeling

Developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and preparing contingency plans involves creating mental models of complex systems and anticipating how different factors interact to affect outcomes.

This skill allows you to understand how various components of a system work together, predict potential problems, and design effective solutions – a critical ability for process improvement and strategic planning.

Situational Awareness

Monitoring and evaluating flying operations, coordinating staff activities, and advising commanders demands a constant awareness of the operational environment, personnel status, and potential threats.

This heightened awareness of your surroundings and the ability to quickly assess developing situations makes you adept at anticipating problems, identifying opportunities, and making informed decisions in dynamic environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been developing contingency plans and understanding how to coordinate resources in crisis situations, skills directly transferable to preparing communities for and responding to disasters. Your experience with rapid prioritization and situational awareness will be invaluable in this role.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.04

You've been managing complex operational requirements and optimizing the use of limited resources, which are core aspects of logistics. Your resource optimization and system modeling skills make you well-suited to streamline supply chains and improve efficiency.

Business Operations Manager

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been monitoring operations and developing policies, demonstrating skills applicable to overseeing business processes. Your system modeling and rapid prioritization skills allow you to improve workflow and resolve issues effectively.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Airfield Operations Officer Course, Sheppard AFB

240 training hours6 weeks3 semester hours in Aviation Management

Topics Covered

  • Airfield Management Principles
  • Air Traffic Control Procedures
  • Aircraft Emergency Response
  • Base Operations Support
  • Airfield Safety and Compliance
  • Contingency Planning and Execution
  • Aviation Regulations and Standards

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), specific project management tools and software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira), and detailed knowledge of the PMI's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).

Certified Manager (CM)70% covered

In-depth study of management theory, human resources, and business law.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)50% covered

Focus on the business and management aspects of aviation, including finance, marketing, and customer service. Need to demonstrate experience in civil aviation.

Recommended Next Certifications

Master of Business Administration (MBA)Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Controller (if interested in that career path)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Air Transportation Management System (JATMS)Airline Operations Management (e.g., Sabre AirCentre, Amadeus Altea)
Defense Travel System (DTS)Corporate travel booking and expense management systems (e.g., Concur, SAP Concur)
Global Decision Support System (GDSS)Supply Chain Management (SCM) software
Air Force Flight Records and Management System (AFFRMS)Aviation maintenance and record keeping software
Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) Reporting SystemHospital patient tracking and bed management software
Integrated Deployment System (IDS)Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with logistics and deployment modules (e.g., SAP, Oracle)

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