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11G4 Career Guide

Air Force

11G4: Airfield Operations Officer

Career transition guide for Air Force Airfield Operations Officer (11G4)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 11G4 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$200K
High matchVery high demand

Operations Manager

$100K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationLean Six Sigma certification

Management Analyst

$90K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Business analysis certificationData analysis software proficiency

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certificationFEMA training

Flight Instructor

$75K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 11G4 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an 11G4, you're constantly assessing the urgency and impact of various operational requirements, personnel needs, and policy changes to ensure the most critical issues are addressed first.

This translates directly to your ability to quickly identify and focus on high-impact tasks, a skill highly valued in fast-paced civilian environments where deadlines and competing priorities are the norm.

System Modeling

You develop a comprehensive understanding of the interdependencies between flying operations, training programs, equipment requirements, and personnel policies to predict outcomes and optimize overall system performance.

This demonstrates your aptitude for analyzing complex systems, identifying key variables, and predicting the impact of changes – a crucial skill for roles involving strategic planning, process improvement, or data analysis.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for preparing and coordinating budgets and analyzing rated manpower requirements, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize operational readiness and training effectiveness.

Your experience in resource optimization showcases your ability to make data-driven decisions about allocating limited resources, a sought-after skill in industries where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

Situational Awareness

Monitoring and evaluating flying operations requires maintaining a high degree of awareness of the current environment and potential threats to safety and mission success.

This sharp situational awareness means you can quickly grasp complex situations, anticipate potential problems, and proactively adjust strategies to maintain a steady course – valuable in dynamic and unpredictable civilian roles.

After-Action Analysis

By evaluating past operations and training programs, you identify lessons learned and implement improvements to enhance future performance and prevent recurrence of errors.

This analytical capability demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and your ability to translate past experiences into actionable insights – highly valued in roles that require strategic thinking and problem-solving.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been developing contingency plans and coordinating responses to complex situations for years. This role leverages your experience in situational awareness, resource allocation, and rapid prioritization to protect communities during crises. Your military background provides an unparalleled foundation for leading emergency response efforts.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

You've honed your analytical skills through system modeling and after-action analysis. Now, you can apply that to helping businesses optimize their processes and improve efficiency. Your ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement changes makes you an ideal candidate for consulting.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've demonstrated proficiency in coordinating staff activities, developing requirements for equipment and training, and preparing budgets, and can transition these skills into a civilian Project Manager role, as your background provides the skills needed to manage deadlines, resources, and stakeholders.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Airfield Operations Officer Initial Skills Training, Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Aviation Management

Topics Covered

  • Airfield Management Principles
  • Air Traffic Control Procedures (Non-ATC)
  • Base Operations Management
  • Contingency Operations Planning
  • Airfield Safety and Inspections
  • Flight Information Publications and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs)

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Manager (CM)70% covered

Formal training in management principles, human resources, and organizational behavior may be needed.

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Requires documented project management experience and passing a comprehensive exam. May need to study specific project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum).

FAA Flight Dispatcher Certificate40% covered

Requires specific training in FAA regulations, meteorology, navigation, and aircraft systems. Significant study of civilian aviation regulations is needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Master of Business Administration (MBA)Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)Accredited Airport Executive (AAE)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Air Operations Planning System (JAOPS)Airspace Management Software
Air Force Integrated Command and Control (AFICC)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with integrated communication modules
Contingency Operations/Mobility Planning and Execution System (COMPES)Project Management Software with Resource Allocation
Automated Budgeting and Accounting System (ABAS)Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) software
Aircrew Training System (ATS)Learning Management System (LMS)
Flight Records and Resource Management System (FRRMS)Aviation Maintenance Tracking Software

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