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1C4X1 Career Guide

Air Force

1C4X1: Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)

Career transition guide for Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) (1C4X1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1C4X1 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-700)HAZMAT trainingProject management skills

Intelligence Analyst

$82K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS, Palantir)Enhanced analytical and critical thinking skillsKnowledge of intelligence gathering techniques

Security Consultant

$95K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM)Risk assessment methodologiesKnowledge of security protocols and technologies

Technical Trainer

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesCurriculum development experienceExcellent communication and presentation skillsSpecific technical expertise related to the training subject

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1C4X1 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing incoming requests for air support amidst chaotic combat scenarios, determining which missions are most critical to protect friendly forces and achieve objectives.

Swiftly triaging tasks based on urgency and impact, especially when facing high-pressure situations with limited resources and competing demands.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant vigilance of the battlefield, integrating information from multiple sources (visual, electronic, reports), and anticipating potential threats or opportunities to effectively direct air assets.

Staying informed about your environment and the people in it, understanding the dynamics at play and anticipating potential issues or openings.

Team Synchronization

Seamlessly coordinating with ground troops, pilots, and other support elements to ensure air support is delivered at the right place and time, maximizing its impact while minimizing risk to friendly forces.

Coordinating and communicating effectively with team members and other stakeholders to achieve common goals, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working in harmony.

Adversarial Thinking

Anticipating enemy movements and tactics to effectively plan air support operations, ensuring air assets are positioned to counter threats and exploit vulnerabilities.

Thinking strategically and anticipating potential challenges or obstacles, developing proactive solutions to mitigate risks and achieve objectives.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to rapidly assess and respond to crises in dynamic, high-stakes environments, manage resources efficiently, and coordinate diverse teams. This makes you ideally suited to lead emergency response efforts in civilian settings.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

Your experience in planning and coordinating the movement of resources in complex combat scenarios directly translates to managing supply chains and optimizing logistics in the civilian sector. You're adept at problem-solving under pressure and ensuring timely delivery of critical resources.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

You've honed your ability to gather, analyze, and interpret information from various sources to identify threats and inform decision-making. Your experience in battlefield awareness makes you a valuable asset in analyzing data and providing insights to organizations across industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

TACP Initial Qualification Training, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX and various field locations

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

Topics Covered

  • Air Force Basic Training
  • Airborne School
  • SERE Training
  • TACP Apprentice Course
  • Close Air Support (CAS) Procedures
  • Joint Fires Integration
  • Advanced Battlefield Tactics
  • Land Navigation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)70% covered

Focus on civilian EMS protocols, expanded pharmacology, and legal aspects of emergency care.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Study the PMBOK Guide, focusing on the five process groups and ten knowledge areas. Concentrate on formal project management methodologies, documentation, and stakeholder management techniques not emphasized in military operations.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30% covered

Study all domains of the CISSP CBK, focusing on areas such as cryptography, access control, and security assessment. Deepen knowledge of information security governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks relevant to civilian organizations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Air Traffic Manager (CATM)DoD 8570 IAM Level II certifications (e.g., Security+ CE, CCNA Security)Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications related to air traffic controlGeospatial Intelligence Professional Certification (GIPC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) SimulatorMilitary training simulation software
AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack RadioSatellite communication devices
AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM (Special Operations Forces Laser Acquisition Marker)Industrial laser target designators
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems
Rover Visual Augmentation System (RVAS)Streaming video solutions
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Commercial fire control system
Handheld Laser Range FinderSurveying laser range finder

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