11S2 Career Guide
11S2: Special Operations Aircraft Pilot
Career transition guide for Air Force Special Operations Aircraft Pilot (11S2)
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Top civilian roles for 11S2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Airline Pilot
Skills to develop:
Corporate Pilot
Skills to develop:
Flight Instructor
Skills to develop:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot/Operator
Skills to develop:
Airfield Operations Specialist
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 11S2 training built — and where they transfer.
Rapid Prioritization
As a special operations pilot, you constantly assess and prioritize threats, mission objectives, and aircraft system status in dynamic and high-pressure environments, making split-second decisions that impact mission success and crew safety.
This ability to quickly triage competing demands and focus on what's most critical translates to effective crisis management and decision-making in fast-paced civilian industries.
Team Synchronization
You lead and coordinate a diverse crew, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration to execute complex special operations missions. This requires anticipating team needs, resolving conflicts, and fostering a shared understanding of mission goals.
Your experience in orchestrating high-performing teams, especially under pressure, makes you adept at managing complex projects and fostering collaboration in any team-oriented environment.
Situational Awareness
You maintain a constant awareness of your surroundings, including terrain, weather, enemy activity, and aircraft performance, to anticipate potential threats and make informed decisions during special operations missions.
This heightened awareness allows you to quickly assess complex situations, identify potential risks and opportunities, and make proactive decisions in dynamic business environments.
After-Action Analysis
Following each mission, you conduct thorough after-action reviews to identify areas for improvement in tactics, techniques, and procedures, ensuring continuous learning and adaptation within the team.
Your commitment to continuous improvement and ability to learn from both successes and failures makes you valuable in any organization that values innovation and growth.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Logistics and Supply Chain Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been responsible for ensuring that your aircraft was properly equipped and manned for every mission, which means you're already skilled in managing complex logistics. As a Logistics and Supply Chain Manager, you'll use your experience to optimize the flow of goods and services, reduce costs, and improve efficiency for your organization. Your attention to detail and ability to work under pressure will be invaluable in this role.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to handle crisis situations, and your ability to stay calm under pressure will be a valuable asset as an Emergency Management Director. You'll be responsible for developing and implementing plans to protect the public in the event of a disaster. Your experience in risk assessment and mitigation will be essential in this role.
Project Manager
SOC 11-9021.00You've planned and executed complex missions, managing resources and coordinating teams to achieve specific objectives. As a Project Manager, you'll leverage these skills to oversee projects from start to finish, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Your experience in problem-solving and decision-making will be crucial in this role.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), various Air Force Bases; followed by specialized aircraft qualification training (e.g., AC-130, MC-130, CV-22)
Topics Covered
- •Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems
- •Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
- •Instrument Flight Procedures
- •Tactical Flight Maneuvers
- •Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Operations
- •Low-Level Flight
- •Air Refueling Procedures
- •Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Specific aircraft type ratings and flight hour requirements as mandated by the FAA. Understanding of civilian aviation regulations (FARs).
Focus on business aviation management principles, financial management, and marketing, which are less emphasized in military aviation.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/APQ-186 Multi-Mode Radar (AC-130) | Weather and Navigation Radar Systems (e.g., Garmin, Raymarine) |
| AN/AAQ-24 Nemesis Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) | Laser-based missile defense systems for commercial aircraft (e.g., Northrop Grumman Guardian) |
| ARC-210 Radio | Advanced aviation radio communication systems (e.g., Collins Aerospace, Garmin) |
| Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) | Flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight, Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro) |
| Advanced Flight Management System (FMS) | Commercial Flight Management Systems (e.g., Honeywell, Collins Aerospace) |
| CV-22 Osprey Tiltrotor System | Commercial Tiltrotor Technology (Currently limited, but research exists with companies like Bell) |
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