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13BX Career Guide

Air Force

13BX: Air Battle Manager

Career transition guide for Air Force Air Battle Manager (13BX)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 13BX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control CertificationFamiliarity with civilian aviation regulations

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)Local emergency management protocolsGrant writing

Intelligence Analyst

$82K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in intelligence analysis software (e.g., Analyst Notebook)Familiarity with specific intelligence disciplines (e.g., OSINT, HUMINT)

Project Manager

$95K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologiesSpecific industry knowledge

Corporate Security Manager

$90K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Security management certifications (e.g., CPP, CISSP)Corporate security protocolsRisk assessment methodologies

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 13BX training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the battlespace, including friendly and enemy positions, potential threats, and the overall operational environment, is critical for this role. This ensures effective threat warning, combat identification, and informed decision-making.

The ability to perceive and understand the environment, anticipate potential issues, and make informed decisions based on incomplete information translates to effective risk management and strategic planning in dynamic civilian settings.

Rapid Prioritization

During missions, Air Weapons Officers must quickly assess incoming data, identify critical threats or opportunities, and prioritize actions to achieve mission objectives. This involves making split-second decisions under pressure.

The capability to rapidly assess situations, identify key priorities, and allocate resources effectively under pressure is highly valuable in fast-paced civilian environments requiring quick decision-making and efficient execution.

Team Synchronization

Effectively commanding and coordinating a diverse crew, integrating joint forces, and managing communication across various platforms requires exceptional team synchronization skills. This ensures seamless collaboration and mission success.

The ability to coordinate and synchronize diverse teams, manage communication effectively, and ensure seamless collaboration is crucial for successful project management and operational efficiency in civilian organizations.

Adversarial Thinking

Anticipating enemy actions, identifying vulnerabilities in adversary systems, and developing effective countermeasures requires a strong understanding of adversarial thinking. This is essential for threat assessment and defensive strategies.

The skill of anticipating potential threats, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing proactive strategies is valuable for risk management, cybersecurity, and competitive intelligence in the civilian sector.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for planning and executing complex operations under pressure. Your experience in threat assessment, resource allocation, and team coordination directly translates to managing emergency responses and ensuring community safety. Your ability to maintain calm and make critical decisions in high-stress situations is invaluable.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've expertly coordinated resources, personnel, and equipment for complex missions. This aligns perfectly with logistics management, where optimizing supply chains, managing inventory, and ensuring timely delivery are paramount. Your experience in planning and executing logistical operations in dynamic environments is a huge asset.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 27-3026.00

You possess a strong foundation in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting complex information to identify threats and inform decision-making. Your experience in surveillance, target validation, and threat assessment makes you well-suited for analyzing data, identifying patterns, and providing actionable intelligence to organizations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Battle Manager Training, Tyndall AFB, FL

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Military Science, Air Traffic Control, or Management

Topics Covered

  • Airspace Management
  • Radar and Sensor Operations
  • Tactical Data Links
  • Weapons Employment
  • Rules of Engagement (ROE)
  • Command and Control (C2) Procedures
  • Air Defense Operations
  • Electronic Warfare

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

Requires studying specific domains of information security such as asset security, security engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing and security operations.

Project Management Professional (PMP)30% covered

Requires studying the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide, specifically focusing on the 49 project management processes, knowledge areas, and professional conduct.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)AWS Certified Security - SpecialtyCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System)Air Traffic Control radar systems and airborne early warning platforms.
JSTARS (Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System)Long-range ground surveillance radar systems and geospatial intelligence platforms
Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) systemsIntegrated network management and control software suites for large-scale systems
Tactical Data Links (e.g., Link 16)Military-grade encrypted data communication and networking systems
Joint Fires Observer (JFO) equipmentGPS-enabled laser rangefinders and target designator systems for surveying/construction
Air Defense SystemsIntegrated security systems with radar and automated response capabilities.
Electronic Warfare (EW) SystemsSpectrum analyzers and signal jammers used in telecommunications and law enforcement

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