35PX Career Guide
35PX: Public Affairs Officer
Career transition guide for Air Force Public Affairs Officer (35PX)
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Top civilian roles for 35PX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Public Relations Manager
Communications Director
Corporate Communications Specialist
Skills to develop:
Technical Writer
Skills to develop:
Social Media Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 35PX training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a 35PX, you constantly monitored the environment, anticipating potential PR crises stemming from accidents, incidents, or policy changes. You had to understand the mood of both the military community and the civilian population to craft effective communication strategies.
This translates directly to the ability to assess complex situations, understand stakeholder perspectives, and anticipate potential risks or opportunities in a dynamic environment. You can quickly grasp the nuances of a situation and tailor your approach accordingly.
Rapid Prioritization
You were responsible for managing multiple communication channels and responding to various urgent requests, from media inquiries to community concerns. You were constantly triaging tasks based on importance and potential impact.
This skill means you excel at quickly assessing the urgency and importance of different tasks, allocating resources effectively, and making critical decisions under pressure. You can handle competing demands and maintain focus on the most crucial objectives.
Adversarial Thinking
In your role, you prepared for potential negative press or public reactions. This required anticipating opposing viewpoints, developing counter-arguments, and crafting responses to protect the Air Force's reputation.
You have a knack for identifying potential weaknesses in plans and strategies, thinking critically about potential challenges, and developing proactive solutions. You are skilled at anticipating problems and finding ways to mitigate them.
Resource Optimization
You managed budgets, personnel, and communication channels (radio, TV, newspapers, etc.) to maximize the impact of public affairs programs. You found creative ways to achieve communication goals with limited resources.
You are adept at allocating resources effectively, finding innovative solutions to achieve objectives with limited budgets and personnel, and maximizing the return on investment for communication efforts.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Crisis Management Consultant
SOC 11-9199You've been at the forefront of managing communications during sensitive situations. Your experience crafting strategies to mitigate reputational damage will prove invaluable. You are adept at advising organizations on how to navigate crises effectively and protect their brand.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager
SOC 11-2021You've been building relationships with the community and crafting communication programs to enhance the Air Force's reputation. You possess the skills to develop and implement CSR initiatives, communicating a company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility, engaging stakeholders, and building trust.
Government Relations Specialist
SOC 11-2011You've developed deep relationships with government agencies and community leaders. You understand how to navigate the political landscape and advocate for organizational interests. Your ability to communicate effectively with government officials and the public will be crucial in shaping policy and building support.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Public Affairs Officer Course, Defense Information School (DINFOS), Fort Meade, MD
Topics Covered
- •Public Affairs Principles and Practices
- •Media Relations
- •Community Engagement
- •Crisis Communication
- •Strategic Communication Planning
- •Writing for Public Affairs
- •Visual Information (Photography, Videography)
- •Social Media Management
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While the military role covers many aspects of public relations, additional study on civilian public relations ethics, specific industry regulations, and advanced media relations strategies is needed.
The APR requires a strong understanding of PR principles, research, strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation. Gaps include demonstrating knowledge of the Universal Accreditation Board's (UAB) competencies and passing the APR exam, which focuses on civilian PR best practices.
While experience managing public affairs programs translates to project management, gaps exist in formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), risk management, and using project management software. Study the PMBOK Guide.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Defense Information Management System (DIMS) | Content Management Systems (CMS) like Drupal, WordPress, or Joomla |
| SharePoint | Microsoft 365, Google Workspace |
| Public Affairs Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (ATP 3-61) | Public Relations Strategy & Management Software (e.g., Meltwater, Cision) |
| Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) Public Affairs Courses | LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy (for PR, Communications, and Media training) |
| ENFIRE (Emergency Notification Fire Incident Reporting Engine) | Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) like Everbridge or Rave Mobile Safety |
| AP Stylebook | AP Stylebook (used in civilian journalism and PR) |
| Internal Base Communications Systems (e.g., Giant Voice) | Mass Notification Systems (MNS) for internal communications |
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