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13D Career Guide

Army

13D: Field Artillery Target Acquisition Officer

Career transition guide for Army Field Artillery Target Acquisition Officer (13D)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Surveyor

$70K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civil Engineering knowledgeProficiency in surveying software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D)

Geospatial Analyst

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) certificationRemote sensing data analysisProficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)

Intelligence Analyst

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) trainingData analysis and visualization toolsCybersecurity fundamentals

Project Manager

$95K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologiesRisk management techniques

Meteorologist

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Formal Meteorology degreeWeather modeling software experienceUnderstanding of atmospheric science

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

Situational Awareness

As a 13D, you constantly maintain a high degree of situational awareness to effectively deploy sensing devices and ranging systems, understanding the terrain, enemy positions, and environmental factors.

This translates to an ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions based on real-time information in dynamic environments.

System Modeling

You utilize system modeling to understand how different components (sensing devices, ranging systems, meteorological elements) interact to achieve target acquisition. This involves predicting system behavior and optimizing performance.

Your skills in system modeling are valuable in understanding complex interconnected systems, predicting outcomes, and optimizing performance – useful in fields that depend on analyzing data and making accurate projections.

Resource Optimization

You are adept at resource optimization, making critical decisions on how to allocate sensing devices, personnel, and time to maximize target acquisition effectiveness while operating under constraints.

In the civilian world, this skill translates to efficient management of budgets, personnel, equipment, and time, making you adept at finding innovative ways to improve efficiency and meet project goals.

Rapid Prioritization

The 13D role demands rapid prioritization, especially when developing and identifying targets. You quickly assess which targets pose the greatest threat and allocate resources accordingly under pressure.

Your talent for rapid prioritization will help you thrive in high-pressure environments where you will need to quickly assess the importance of tasks, re-allocate resources, and make decisions on the fly.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been orchestrating complex deployments of sensing devices and personnel. As a Logistics Analyst, you can leverage that expertise to optimize supply chains and resource allocation for companies.

Business Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

You're skilled at gathering and interpreting data from various sources to identify targets. As a Business Intelligence Analyst, you'll apply those skills to analyze market trends and customer behavior to inform strategic decisions.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9099.00

You're adept at situational awareness and resource optimization in dynamic environments. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you will use these skills to plan and coordinate responses to natural disasters and other crises.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course (FABOLC), Fort Sill, OK

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in Military Science

Topics Covered

  • Leadership and Ethics
  • Fire Support Systems
  • Target Acquisition Technologies (Radar, Acoustic, Electro-Optical)
  • Meteorological Data Collection and Analysis
  • Surveying and Positioning
  • Artillery Tactics and Techniques
  • Reconnaissance and Surveillance
  • Joint Fires Integration

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Survey Technician (CST)60% covered

Requires study of specific surveying instruments and techniques not directly covered in artillery sensing device deployment, including legal aspects of land surveying and data processing.

Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)40% covered

Needs additional training in advanced GIS software, spatial analysis techniques, cartography principles, and GIS project management.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPQ-50 Lightweight Counter-Mortar Radar (LCMR)Acoustic Weapon Locators/ Gunshot Detection Systems
AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability RadarAdvanced perimeter surveillance radar systems
Meteorological Measuring Set - II (MMS-II)Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Geospatial intelligence and sensor data fusion platforms
Joint Automated Deep Operations System (JADOCS)Integrated Command and Control Systems
Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)Robotics engineering and technology
Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3)High powered binoculars

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