13X4 Career Guide
13X4: Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
Career transition guide for Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) (13X4)
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Top civilian roles for 13X4 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Intelligence Analyst
Skills to develop:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Technician/Operator
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Specialist
Skills to develop:
Geospatial Analyst
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 13X4 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Constantly monitoring the airspace and ground environment, integrating real-time data from multiple sources (sensors, communications, visual observations) to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment and potential threats.
The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on a dynamic stream of information.
Rapid Prioritization
Quickly assessing and prioritizing incoming requests for air support, factoring in mission criticality, available resources, and potential risks to allocate assets effectively in dynamic combat situations.
The ability to quickly evaluate competing demands, assess their urgency and importance, and allocate resources or attention accordingly in fast-paced environments.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating with pilots, ground forces, and other support elements to ensure seamless integration of air support operations, requiring clear communication, mutual understanding of roles, and synchronized execution of tasks.
The ability to work effectively within a team, understanding individual roles and responsibilities, communicating clearly, and coordinating actions to achieve common goals.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Maintaining operational effectiveness under stressful conditions or equipment malfunction. Developing workarounds and employing contingency procedures to minimize disruption and ensure mission success.
Maintaining performance and decision-making ability under pressure, equipment failure, or unpredictable circumstances; adapting procedures and finding alternative solutions when resources are limited.
Resource Optimization
Maximizing the efficient use of available air assets, personnel, and equipment to achieve mission objectives, considering fuel consumption, maintenance requirements, and operational constraints to minimize waste and improve overall effectiveness.
The ability to allocate and manage resources effectively, considering costs, benefits, and constraints to maximize productivity and minimize waste.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to maintain situational awareness in dynamic combat environments, develop contingency plans, and coordinate multiple teams under pressure. This translates directly into the skills needed to prepare for and respond to natural disasters or other emergencies, coordinating resources and ensuring public safety.
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've mastered the art of coordinating resources, prioritizing tasks, and making quick decisions under pressure. Your experience translating real-time data and deploying into austere environments would provide the perfect background in ensuring smooth supply chain operations and optimize logistics strategies.
Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051.00You've honed exceptional skills in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting complex information to support military operations. This experience makes you well-suited to become an Intelligence Analyst, where you can use these skills to analyze data, identify trends, and provide insights to organizations across diverse industries.
Training & Education Equivalencies
TACP Apprentice Course, Hurlburt Field, FL
Topics Covered
- •Airspace Control
- •Close Air Support (CAS) Procedures
- •Joint Fires Observer (JFO) Skills
- •Small Unit Tactics
- •Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
- •Advanced Communication Techniques
- •Reconnaissance and Surveillance
- •Air Traffic Control Fundamentals
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Formal FAA procedures, airspace regulations specific to civilian aviation, and equipment operation.
Requires significant experience in civilian aviation management, business aviation best practices, and financial management principles relevant to aviation.
Specific regulations regarding commercial drone operations, airspace restrictions, and pre-flight procedures as defined by the FAA.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Joint Air Traffic Control System (JATCS) | FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) |
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central | Mobile Airport Traffic Control Tower |
| Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) like the RQ-11 Raven | Commercial drone platforms for surveying and inspection (e.g., DJI Matrice series) |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) based targeting systems | Commercial GPS surveying equipment (e.g., Trimble, Leica) |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Motorola MOTOTRBO Professional Digital Two-Way Radio System |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Civilian equivalent for coordinating fire missions is software used for logistical planning, emergency response coordination, and resource allocation during large-scale incidents. |
| Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) | AirMap, ForeFlight |
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