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13D2 Career Guide

Air Force

13D2: Special Tactics Officer

Career transition guide for Air Force Special Tactics Officer (13D2)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 13D2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Controller Certification

Emergency Management Specialist

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA Certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)HAZMAT Training

Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Wilderness First Responder/EMT CertificationAdvanced Technical Rescue Training

Security Consultant

$95K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Certification (PMP)Security risk assessment methodologies

Wildland Firefighter

$55K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Red Card CertificationNWCG Training (e.g., S-130, S-190, I-100)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 13D2 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

13D2s constantly monitor dynamic environments, integrating intel, weather, and team status to anticipate threats and opportunities during missions like personnel recovery or airfield seizure.

The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information is crucial in high-pressure situations.

Rapid Prioritization

When controlling an assault zone or coordinating a rescue, 13D2s must instantly assess competing demands—casualty care, airspace control, enemy threats—and allocate resources to the most critical tasks.

Quickly analyzing complex situations, identifying the most important issues, and deciding the order in which to address them, especially when facing multiple urgent needs.

Team Synchronization

These airmen lead small teams during complex operations, synchronizing movements, communications, and actions to achieve mission objectives under stressful conditions. This includes coordinating with air assets and ground forces.

Coordinating the efforts of multiple individuals or groups to achieve a common goal, ensuring everyone is working together efficiently and effectively, particularly in time-sensitive scenarios.

Degraded-Mode Operations

13D2s are trained to maintain mission effectiveness even when communications are lost, equipment fails, or personnel are injured. They adapt tactics and procedures to overcome obstacles and complete the objective.

Maintaining performance and achieving goals even when facing unexpected challenges, resource limitations, or system failures. Requires adaptability and problem-solving skills.

Resource Optimization

Whether allocating limited medical supplies during personnel recovery or managing airspace during an assault, 13D2s efficiently utilize available resources to maximize mission success.

Effectively managing and distributing limited resources (time, money, personnel, equipment) to achieve the best possible outcome or maximize efficiency.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

As a 13D2, you've been trained to manage complex emergencies, coordinate resources, and make critical decisions under pressure. Your experience in personnel recovery and aerospace interface control translates directly to planning and executing disaster response efforts. Your familiarity with communication systems and command structures will make you a valuable asset in any emergency management team.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

Your experience in planning and executing personnel recovery missions and managing the aerospace interface means you're adept at coordinating complex logistical operations in challenging environments. You've been responsible for getting the right people and equipment to the right place at the right time, often under tight deadlines and with limited resources. This skillset makes you an ideal candidate for managing supply chains and coordinating transportation logistics in the civilian sector.

Corporate Security Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've been trained to assess threats, implement security protocols, and manage crisis situations. Your skills in reconnaissance, surveillance, and personnel recovery make you exceptionally well-prepared to protect corporate assets and personnel. You've already demonstrated an ability to maintain situational awareness and make quick decisions in high-pressure environments, skills that are invaluable in the corporate security world.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Special Tactics Training Squadron, Pope Field, NC

2,400 training hours60 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Air Traffic Control
  • Terminal Attack Control
  • Personnel Recovery Operations
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
  • Special Reconnaissance
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Demolitions
  • Airfield Assessment

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)60% covered

Requires additional training and certification in emergency medical procedures, anatomy, and physiology, and pharmacology to meet National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) standards.

Air Traffic Controller (ATC)70% covered

Requires additional training on FAA regulations, specific equipment, and procedures used in civilian air traffic control facilities. Certification requires passing the FAA ATC exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Special Operations OfficerCertified Emergency Manager (CEM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack RadioHarris, L3Harris or Thales tactical radios
Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS)Commercial GPS-based landing systems
AN/PVS-15 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs)Commercial night vision devices for hunting or security
Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)Garmin GPSMAP series or similar professional-grade GPS units
Laser Target Designator (e.g., IZLID 1000)Commercial laser rangefinders and target designators used in surveying or construction
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems
Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) communications suitePublic safety radio systems and dispatch consoles

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