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16RX Career Guide

Air Force

16RX: Strategic Planner

Career transition guide for Air Force Strategic Planner (16RX)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Management Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Consulting skillsBusiness process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency planning certifications (e.g., FEMA certifications)Disaster recovery knowledgeLocal government experience

Policy Analyst

$80K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Public policy analysisLegislative process knowledgeSpecific subject matter expertise (e.g., healthcare, education)

Project Manager

$90K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologiesSpecific industry knowledge

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

System Modeling

As a 16RX, you develop comprehensive plans spanning multiple functional areas, requiring you to understand how different systems interact and influence each other to achieve mission objectives.

This translates to an ability to analyze complex systems, identify key components, and predict outcomes based on different inputs, a valuable skill in many strategic roles.

Resource Optimization

You programmed resource allocation within the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System, balancing competing demands and ensuring resources are aligned with war-fighting capabilities.

This demonstrates your proficiency in allocating limited resources effectively, maximizing impact while adhering to budgetary constraints – a critical skill for financial and operational roles.

Adversarial Thinking

Developing plans responsive to war-fighting capabilities involves anticipating potential challenges and developing contingency strategies to overcome adversarial actions.

Your ability to think critically and anticipate potential problems translates directly into risk management and strategic planning in the civilian sector.

Situational Awareness

Coordinating plans between staff agencies requires a deep understanding of the operational environment, the capabilities of various entities, and the potential impact of different courses of action.

Your ability to maintain a broad perspective and understand the interdependencies of various factors allows you to make informed decisions and adapt to changing circumstances in any dynamic environment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Architect

SOC 15-1199.09

You've been orchestrating complex plans across multiple Air Force functions. As a Business Architect, you'll leverage those same skills to align business strategy with technology, designing the blueprint for how an organization operates and meets its goals. You're already thinking strategically and systemically!

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've honed your planning abilities in high-stakes situations. As an Emergency Management Director, you can apply your experience in developing and coordinating plans to prepare for and respond to disasters, ensuring community safety and resilience. Your military planning background makes you exceptionally well-prepared.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

You've developed and coordinated complex plans involving multiple agencies and resources. As a Management Consultant, you'll use your analytical and problem-solving skills to advise organizations on improving their performance and efficiency, drawing on your experience in optimizing processes and achieving strategic objectives. Your ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable recommendations will be invaluable.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Strategic Planning Apprentice Course, Hurlburt Field, FL

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in strategic planning or public administration

Topics Covered

  • Defense Planning
  • Joint Operations Planning
  • Air Force Planning Doctrine
  • Programming, Planning, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) System
  • Resource Allocation
  • Policy Development
  • Contingency Planning
  • National Security Strategy

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)70% covered

Formal project management methodologies (PMBOK), specific tools and techniques, and the application of these in non-military contexts.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Formal project management methodologies (PMBOK), specific tools and techniques, and the application of these in non-military contexts. Requires documented project management experience hours which may be difficult to translate directly.

Recommended Next Certifications

Master of Business Administration (MBA)Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certifications (if applicable to their specific role and career path within the Air Force)

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)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and project management software
Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning System (DCAPS)Strategic planning software, scenario planning tools
Automated Civil Engineer System (ACES)Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for urban planning and resource allocation
Theater Battle Management Core System (TBMCS)Air Traffic Control (ATC) Systems
Contingency Operations Location-Negotiation-Execution Software (COLLECTIONS)Supply chain management (SCM) software
Advanced Distributed Learning System (ADLS)Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Coursera or Moodle

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