13DX Career Guide
13DX: Special Tactics Officer
Career transition guide for Air Force Special Tactics Officer (13DX)
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Top civilian roles for 13DX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Specialist
Skills to develop:
Wildland Firefighter
Skills to develop:
Security Consultant
Skills to develop:
Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 13DX training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a 13DX, you constantly maintain a high level of situational awareness, whether conducting reconnaissance, controlling air traffic in a dynamic environment, or planning personnel recovery missions. You must quickly assess threats, understand the operational environment, and anticipate potential risks to ensure mission success and personnel safety.
This heightened awareness translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex situations, understand the needs of various stakeholders, and make informed decisions even under pressure. Your ability to anticipate problems and proactively address them is a valuable asset.
Rapid Prioritization
This role requires the ability to rapidly assess situations and prioritize tasks in high-pressure environments. Whether it's managing air traffic, coordinating a rescue, or reacting to unexpected threats, you consistently make quick decisions on what needs immediate attention.
Your proven ability to rapidly prioritize tasks, allocate resources effectively, and make sound judgments under pressure makes you well-suited for roles requiring quick decision-making and efficient task management. You are adept at focusing on what matters most, even when facing multiple competing demands.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating special tactics teams, air assets, and ground forces demands impeccable team synchronization. As a 13DX, you're skilled at orchestrating the actions of diverse groups, ensuring everyone is working together seamlessly towards a common goal. This coordination extends to planning and executing complex operations in high-stakes environments.
Your proficiency in team synchronization translates to a strong ability to lead and coordinate diverse teams in a civilian setting. You can effectively manage multiple stakeholders, ensuring everyone is aligned and working collaboratively to achieve project goals, and you excel at communicating clearly and fostering a cohesive team environment.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Operating in austere environments and under challenging conditions is a hallmark of the 13DX. You are adept at maintaining mission effectiveness even when resources are limited, communication is unreliable, or equipment malfunctions. You know how to adapt, improvise, and overcome obstacles to achieve the objective.
Your experience in degraded-mode operations demonstrates your resilience and problem-solving skills. You're not easily deterred by setbacks; instead, you find creative solutions to keep projects moving forward, even when facing unexpected challenges. This ability to thrive in uncertainty is a valuable asset in any dynamic work environment.
Adversarial Thinking
As a 13DX, you're trained to anticipate potential threats and challenges. Planning personnel recovery missions and reconnaissance requires thinking like an adversary to identify vulnerabilities and develop effective countermeasures. This proactive approach is crucial for minimizing risk and ensuring mission success.
Your adversarial thinking skills translate to the ability to identify potential risks and develop proactive strategies to mitigate them. You can anticipate problems before they arise, develop contingency plans, and ensure that all possible scenarios are considered.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been planning and executing complex operations in high-pressure environments, coordinating diverse teams, and making critical decisions under stress. This directly translates to the skills needed to manage emergency response efforts, develop preparedness plans, and coordinate resources during crises. Your experience in personnel recovery also gives you a unique perspective on disaster response.
Logistics/Supply Chain Consultant
SOC 13-1199.00You've been responsible for the planning and execution of complex logistical operations, including resource allocation, transportation, and inventory management. You are adept at identifying inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and ensuring the timely delivery of critical supplies. Your experience translates into helping civilian companies optimize their supply chains and improve their bottom lines.
Corporate Security Manager
SOC 11-9199.00You've been trained in reconnaissance, threat assessment, and security protocols. You excel at developing and implementing security plans, managing security personnel, and responding to security incidents. Your military experience makes you uniquely qualified to protect corporate assets, personnel, and information.
Project Manager (Construction/Engineering)
SOC 11-9021.00You've been planning and executing complex operations involving multiple teams and resources. You are adept at managing timelines, budgets, and risks, and you understand the importance of clear communication and coordination. Your skills translate seamlessly to the construction and engineering industries, where you can manage projects from inception to completion.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Special Tactics Training Squadron, Pope Field, NC
Topics Covered
- •Air Traffic Control
- •Terminal Attack Control
- •Personnel Recovery
- •Special Reconnaissance
- •Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
- •Airfield Assessment
- •Combat Trauma Care
- •Small Unit Tactics
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires additional study in human anatomy, physiology, and advanced medical procedures. Certification requires passing a practical skills exam and a written exam.
Requires in-depth knowledge of FAA regulations, specific ATC equipment, and procedures for civilian air traffic. Will require additional training and testing by the FAA.
Focus on the technical aspects and requirements in the commercial and government service sectors. Requires additional knowledge in advanced recovery techniques.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) Personnel Recovery Mission Software (PRMS) | Case management and tracking software with secure data handling (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Harris, Thales or Datron radio systems, satellite communication systems |
| AN/PVS-15/31 Night Vision Devices (NVDs) | FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) or other enhanced low-light/thermal imaging systems for security or search and rescue |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Civilian equivalent in emergency management, resource allocation, or logistics: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrated with database management (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS with SQL database) |
| Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) | Handheld GPS devices with mapping software (e.g., Garmin, Magellan) and digital mapping applications (e.g., Google Maps, Gaia GPS) |
| Tactical Air Control Party Close Air Support Systems (TACP-CASS) | Air traffic control software and communications equipment; drone piloting software with targeting capabilities |
| Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) | Long-range autonomous cruise missiles can be related to the commercial sector by comparison to unmanned aerial vehicles, drone delivery systems, and precision navigation technology. |
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