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2T131 Career Guide

Air Force

2T131: Vehicle Operator

Career transition guide for Air Force Vehicle Operator (2T131)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2T131 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Truck Driver (Long Haul/OTR)

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Class AElectronic Logging Device (ELD) proficiency

Logistics Coordinator

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management software (e.g., SAP, Oracle)Project management skillsInventory Management

Bus Driver (School/Public Transit)

$45K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Class B with Passenger EndorsementPassenger safety training

Vehicle Fleet Manager

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Fleet management software proficiencyBudgeting and cost analysisPreventive Maintenance Scheduling

Transportation Planner

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) softwareUrban planning principlesData analysisPublic Speaking

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2T131 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a 2T131, you managed vehicle fleets, fuel, and personnel to meet mission requirements, ensuring resources were allocated efficiently and effectively.

Your ability to optimize resources translates directly to skills in budget management, supply chain optimization, and project management, where efficient allocation of resources is critical for success.

Procedural Compliance

You meticulously adhered to regulations and procedures for vehicle operation, maintenance, and safety, ensuring all activities met strict standards and legal requirements.

Your experience with procedural compliance makes you well-suited for roles requiring adherence to guidelines, such as quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

Situational Awareness

Whether coordinating transportation for distinguished visitors or managing convoy operations in potentially hostile environments, you maintained a high level of situational awareness to anticipate and respond to potential threats and changing conditions.

Your honed situational awareness is highly valuable in roles that demand quick thinking and adaptability, such as emergency management, security coordination, or logistics oversight.

Team Synchronization

You coordinated with various teams, including maintenance, dispatch, and security personnel, to ensure smooth and synchronized transportation operations, especially during deployments and special events.

Your experience in team synchronization translates to project management, event planning, or logistics coordination, where aligning multiple stakeholders and resources is key.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been planning and coordinating complex transportation operations, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with regulations. As a Logistics Analyst, you'll leverage these skills to analyze supply chains, optimize transportation routes, and improve overall efficiency for companies.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for maintaining situational awareness, coordinating resources, and ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment in high-pressure situations. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll use these skills to develop and implement emergency response plans, coordinate disaster relief efforts, and ensure community resilience.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been meticulously following procedures, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with regulations. As a Compliance Officer, you'll use these skills to develop and implement compliance programs, conduct audits, and ensure that organizations adhere to legal and ethical standards.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Transportation School, Sheppard AFB

280 training hours7 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Transportation Management

Topics Covered

  • Vehicle Types and Capabilities (Light, Heavy, Specialized)
  • Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS)
  • Dispatch Procedures and Documentation
  • Cargo Handling and Securement
  • Convoy Operations and Security
  • Air Force Licensing and Regulations
  • Vehicle Inspections (Pre/Post Operation)
  • Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Operation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)70% covered

While military training covers vehicle operation and safety, CDL requirements vary by state. The veteran will need to study state-specific regulations, pre-trip inspection procedures, and pass the required driving tests.

Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM)40% covered

The military experience covers a good portion of vehicle management, but the CAFM requires deeper knowledge of lifecycle costing, financial management, risk management, and procurement specific to civilian fleets.

Forklift Operator Certification60% covered

While the veteran likely has experience operating forklifts, formal certification requires knowledge of OSHA standards and specific safety procedures that may not be fully covered in military training. They will need to complete a formal forklift operator safety course and practical exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Transportation Professional (CTP)OSHA Safety CertificationSupply Chain Management Professional (SCMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Government Motor Vehicle (GMV) FleetCommercial vehicle fleet (trucks, buses, vans)
Air Force Transportation Management System (TMS)Transportation Management System (TMS) such as Oracle Transportation Management, or SAP TM
Defense Travel System (DTS)Travel and expense management software (e.g., Concur, Expensify)
Automated Air Terminal Information Management System (AATIMS)Warehouse management systems (WMS) with freight management capabilities
National Credit Card (NCC) ProgramCorporate credit card programs (e.g., Visa, Mastercard)
Night Vision Goggles (NVGs)Thermal imaging or enhanced vision systems
Global Positioning System (GPS) receiversGPS navigation devices or smartphone navigation apps (e.g. Google Maps, Waze)

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