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16G3 Career Guide

Air Force

16G3: Air Force Plans and Programs Officer

Career transition guide for Air Force Air Force Plans and Programs Officer (16G3)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 16G3 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Management Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Consulting experienceMBA or related Master's degree

Project Manager

$100K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

PMP CertificationAgile methodologies

Business Operations Manager

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysisBusiness intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certificationsLocal government experience

Intelligence Analyst

$80K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry knowledgeData miningCybersecurity awareness

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 16G3 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

This role requires understanding how different Air Force and joint service components interact within complex systems to develop effective plans and policies.

The ability to understand and model complex systems translates to a valuable skill in any industry where you need to analyze interconnected processes and predict outcomes.

Resource Optimization

Planners are responsible for programming resource allocation according to the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS), analyzing the impact of programming decisions on war-fighting capabilities, and coordinating programming actions to facilitate issue resolution and ensure timely completion.

The ability to efficiently allocate and manage resources to achieve desired outcomes is highly valued in various industries, particularly in roles where budget management and strategic planning are essential.

Adversarial Thinking

In developing plans and policies, Air Force planners anticipate potential challenges and obstacles, considering adversarial actions and developing strategies to overcome them.

This is useful in roles requiring risk assessment, competitive analysis, and strategic decision-making.

Rapid Prioritization

This role requires quickly assessing the urgency and importance of various tasks and issues to ensure that resources and attention are focused on the most critical priorities.

The ability to quickly assess and prioritize competing demands translates directly to roles requiring efficient decision-making and effective resource allocation under pressure.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been developing strategic plans and policies at a high level, and your ability to analyze complex problems and coordinate across different departments makes you an ideal candidate to help businesses improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

Business Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051

You've been analyzing complex systems and data to inform decision-making, you can apply these skills to help companies understand market trends, identify opportunities, and improve their competitive advantage.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161

You've been responsible for developing plans and policies to respond to crises and emergencies. You are prepared to coordinate resources and personnel to protect communities and infrastructure.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), Maxwell AFB, AL, followed by Plans and Programs Officer Course, Hurlburt Field, FL

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in management and organizational leadership

Topics Covered

  • •Air Force Doctrine
  • •Joint Operations Planning
  • •Planning, Programming, Budgeting System (PPBS)
  • •Policy Development
  • •Resource Allocation
  • •Air Force War-fighting Capabilities
  • •Staff Coordination
  • •Defense Planning Guidance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), specific project management tools and software, and detailed knowledge of the PMI's PMBOK guide.

Certified Planning Professional (CPP)70% covered

Specific planning software, advanced forecasting techniques, and detailed knowledge of business continuity planning.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM)Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES)Project Management Software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana)
Automated Message Handling System (AMHS)Secure Enterprise Email Systems (e.g., ProtonMail, Virtru)
Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS)Business Intelligence Dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBES)Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) software (e.g., Anaplan, Vena Solutions)
Contingency Operations Support Tool (COST)Cost Estimation Software (e.g., Sage Estimating, AccuCost)
Global Command and Control System (GCCS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with integrated logistics and operations modules (e.g., SAP S/4HANA)

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