35P2 Career Guide
35P2: Public Affairs Craftsman
Career transition guide for Air Force Public Affairs Craftsman (35P2)
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Top civilian roles for 35P2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Public Relations Manager
Communications Director
Marketing Manager
Skills to develop:
Technical Writer
Skills to develop:
Lobbyist
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 35P2 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a Public Affairs specialist, you constantly monitor the environment, understanding community sentiment, media narratives, and potential PR crises to anticipate and address issues proactively.
This keen awareness translates to an ability to quickly grasp the nuances of any situation, predict potential challenges, and adapt communication strategies accordingly.
Rapid Prioritization
Whether managing responses to a crisis, coordinating media interviews, or planning community engagement events, you're constantly juggling multiple demands and deciding which tasks require immediate attention.
Your ability to quickly assess the urgency and importance of competing tasks allows you to effectively manage time, resources, and stakeholder expectations under pressure.
Adversarial Thinking
You anticipate potential negative press or public reaction, and proactively develop strategies to counter misinformation and protect the Air Force's reputation.
This ability to think critically about potential risks and challenges enables you to develop robust plans that anticipate and mitigate negative outcomes.
Resource Optimization
You're responsible for maximizing the impact of public affairs programs with limited budgets, ensuring that communication efforts reach the widest audience possible.
This means you're adept at finding creative and cost-effective solutions to achieve communication goals, making every dollar count.
After-Action Analysis
You evaluate the effectiveness of public affairs campaigns, identifying what worked well, what could be improved, and lessons learned for future initiatives.
Your ability to analyze past performance enables you to continuously refine strategies, improve outcomes, and demonstrate the value of communication efforts.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Crisis Communications Manager
SOC 11-2011You've been at the forefront of managing sensitive information and maintaining a positive image during challenging situations. Your experience in planning communication during crises translates directly into this role, where you'll develop and execute strategies to protect a company's reputation during times of crisis.
Public Relations Consultant
SOC 13-1111You've been advising senior leaders on public affairs matters. Your ability to analyze situations, develop communication plans, and build relationships with the media makes you a perfect fit for guiding businesses and organizations to improve their public image and achieve their communication goals.
Market Research Analyst
SOC 19-3022You've been closely monitoring public sentiment and community attitudes to inform communication strategies. Your skills in analyzing data, identifying trends, and understanding audience perceptions will be invaluable in helping companies understand their customers and make informed marketing decisions.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager
SOC 11-2021You've been initiating programs to earn community respect and confidence. Your experience in building relationships, understanding community needs, and developing impactful programs translates well into this role, where you'll be responsible for developing and implementing a company's CSR strategy, ensuring that it aligns with its values and contributes to the well-being of the community.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Public Affairs Specialist Course, Defense Information School (DINFOS), Fort Meade, Maryland
Topics Covered
- •Public Affairs Principles and Practices
- •Media Relations
- •Writing for Public Release
- •Photography and Videography Fundamentals
- •Social Media Engagement
- •Crisis Communication
- •Community Relations
- •Public Speaking and Briefing Techniques
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While the military role covers many aspects of public relations, APR accreditation requires demonstrating knowledge of PR theory, ethics, and advanced strategic planning specific to civilian organizations. Study PRSA's resources and case studies to bridge these gaps.
The military role involves directing photographic coverage, but CPP certification demands expertise in photographic techniques, lighting, composition, and post-processing for professional-quality imagery. Focus on mastering these technical skills and building a professional portfolio.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) | Multimedia content distribution platforms (e.g., Vimeo, YouTube) |
| SharePoint (internal Air Force communications portal) | Enterprise Content Management Systems (e.g., Microsoft SharePoint, Confluence) |
| Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS) - for training materials | Learning Management Systems (e.g., Coursera, Skillsoft, Moodle) |
| Automated Message Handling System (AMHS) | Secure email and messaging platforms (e.g., ProtonMail, Signal for enterprise) |
| Public Affairs Management System (PAMS) | Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software with public relations modules (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) |
| Joint Information Environment (JIE) | Cloud-based collaborative platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) |
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