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1C451 Career Guide

Air Force

1C451: Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)

Career transition guide for Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) (1C451)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1C451 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certificationExperience with civilian air traffic control systems

Emergency Management Specialist

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)Knowledge of disaster response protocolsExperience with civilian emergency management software

Security Consultant

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationCertified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certificationKnowledge of risk management frameworks

Technical Instructor/Trainer

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design experienceSpecific subject matter expertise (e.g., IT, security)Adult learning principles

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot/Operator

$75K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Part 107 certificationSpecific UAS platform trainingExperience with data analysis from UAS platforms

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1C451 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing threats and opportunities under pressure to direct air support effectively.

Decisively allocating resources and efforts in dynamic, high-stakes environments to maximize impact.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the battlefield, including friendly and enemy positions, environmental factors, and mission objectives.

Quickly synthesizing diverse information streams to form a complete picture of complex operating environments.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating with air and ground forces to ensure seamless integration of air support into overall combat operations.

Orchestrating diverse teams and resources to achieve common goals in complex, time-sensitive projects.

Resource Optimization

Efficiently managing air assets, including aircraft, munitions, and personnel, to achieve maximum effectiveness with limited resources.

Strategically allocating budgets, personnel, and technology to achieve optimal outcomes and maximize return on investment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been expertly managing complex, high-pressure situations, coordinating diverse teams, and making critical decisions under fire. This role demands the same skills in planning and directing disaster response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

Your experience in resource optimization and situational awareness translates perfectly to managing supply chains and coordinating the movement of goods and materials. You're adept at anticipating potential disruptions and implementing contingency plans, crucial in ensuring smooth operations.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've honed your ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex operations under pressure. Your skills in team synchronization and rapid prioritization are invaluable for leading projects to successful completion, on time and within budget.

Training & Education Equivalencies

TACP Initial Qualification Training, multiple locations including Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, and Camp Gruber

1,200 training hours30 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in military science, leadership, and communications.

Topics Covered

  • Airborne Operations
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Close Air Support (CAS) Procedures
  • Joint Fires Integration
  • Advanced Communication Systems
  • Land Navigation
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
  • Combat Lifesaving

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Formal project management methodologies, business analysis, advanced risk management, and stakeholder management. Focus on the five process groups: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

Requires in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity principles outside of military applications, including access control systems, cryptography, security assessment and testing, and software development security. Study all 8 domains.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)70% covered

While TCCC provides foundational trauma care, EMT certification requires broader medical knowledge, including medical emergencies, airway management, and pharmacology. Additional training and practical experience in a civilian EMS setting are needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Unmanned Aircraft General Visual Line of SightDoD 8570 Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level II certification (e.g., Security+ CE)Geospatial Intelligence Professional Certification (GIPC)Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack RadioHarris Falcon III, Motorola APX Series
AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM Laser MarkerIndustrial laser pointer/designator, Surveying laser
Joint Fires Observer (JFO) Target Mensuration ToolsGPS surveying equipment, laser rangefinders, mapping software
Rover (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver)Live video streaming platforms (e.g., YouTube Live, Vimeo), drone piloting software
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems, asset tracking software
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Esri ArcGIS, mapping and analysis software
Digital Air Support System (DASS)Dispatch and resource management software (e.g., used by ambulance/EMS services)

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