13SX4 Career Guide
13SX4: Space and Missile Operations Officer
Career transition guide for Air Force Space and Missile Operations Officer (13SX4)
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Top civilian roles for 13SX4 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Aerospace Engineer
Skills to develop:
Network Engineer
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Director
Skills to develop:
Intelligence Analyst
Skills to develop:
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 13SX4 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Constantly monitoring a complex array of systems and data feeds to identify potential threats or anomalies in space and missile operations, requiring the ability to understand the bigger picture and anticipate potential problems.
Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of dynamic environments, anticipating potential disruptions, and making informed decisions based on real-time information, even under pressure.
Rapid Prioritization
Quickly assessing and prioritizing tasks in high-pressure situations, such as during a potential missile launch or satellite anomaly, where time is of the essence and decisions must be made swiftly and effectively.
Effectively managing competing demands and deadlines by quickly identifying the most critical tasks and allocating resources accordingly, ensuring that urgent issues are addressed promptly and efficiently.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to established protocols and procedures is paramount in space and missile operations to prevent errors and ensure mission success. This includes following checklists, verifying data, and adhering to chain of command.
Meticulously following established guidelines and protocols to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance in regulated environments, minimizing risks and maintaining operational integrity.
System Modeling
Understanding and manipulating complex space and missile systems, using models to predict behavior and optimize performance. This includes orbital analysis, predicting satellite positions, and understanding the interactions between different systems.
Analyzing complex systems and data to develop predictive models, optimize performance, and identify potential areas for improvement. This involves understanding the relationships between different components and using data to inform decision-making.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Maintaining operational effectiveness even when systems fail or are compromised. This includes knowing how to bypass malfunctioning components, implement contingency plans, and maintain mission objectives under adverse conditions.
Adapting to unexpected challenges and maintaining operational efficiency in the face of system failures or disruptions. This involves implementing contingency plans, finding alternative solutions, and ensuring that critical functions continue to operate smoothly.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions based on real-time information. Your experience in contingency planning and coordinating responses to critical situations makes you exceptionally well-suited to leading emergency response efforts and protecting communities.
Logistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You're a pro at optimizing complex systems, and coordinating resources. As a logistics analyst, you will use these skills to analyze and improve supply chain operations, ensuring that goods and services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Air Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2021.00You're accustomed to monitoring multiple data streams to ensure smooth operations. You excel at maintaining situational awareness and communicating clearly and concisely under pressure, which is exactly what's needed to safely manage air traffic flow.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Undergraduate Space and Missile Training (USMT), Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA
Topics Covered
- •Space Operations Fundamentals
- •Missile Operations Fundamentals
- •Satellite Command and Control
- •Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Procedures
- •Space Warning Systems Operations
- •Orbital Mechanics and Analysis
- •Space Situational Awareness
- •Contingency Operations and Emergency War Orders
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of broader information security domains not directly related to space/missile ops, such as software development security, cryptography, and legal/ethical considerations.
Needs more formal training in project management methodologies, the five process groups, and ten knowledge areas as defined by PMI's PMBOK.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) | Geosynchronous orbit weather and climate monitoring satellites |
| Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) | Large scale rocket launch systems |
| Satellite Command and Control System (CCS) | Satellite management software platforms |
| Space Surveillance Network (SSN) | Satellite and space debris tracking services |
| Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite system | Commercial secure satellite communication systems |
| Missile Warning System (MWS) | Early warning systems for natural disasters |
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