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37F2 Career Guide

Air Force

37F2: Force Support Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Force Support Specialist (37F2)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 37F2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Human Resources Manager

$120K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationFamiliarity with civilian HR software (e.g., Workday, BambooHR)

Management Analyst

$95K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationLean Six Sigma certification

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentialAdvanced Incident Command System (ICS) training

Training and Development Manager

$115K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

ATD Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)eLearning development tools proficiency (e.g., Articulate Storyline)

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner

$60K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificationEvent planning software proficiencySales and marketing skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 37F2 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

Managing manpower, equipment, and financial resources across various programs (food, fitness, lodging, recreation, etc.) to maximize efficiency and effectiveness within budgetary constraints.

Applying analytical skills to allocate resources strategically, streamline processes, and identify cost-saving opportunities to achieve organizational goals efficiently.

Procedural Compliance

Ensuring strict adherence to regulations, policies, and standards across diverse functional areas like personnel management, equal opportunity, sexual assault prevention, and financial operations.

Demonstrating a strong commitment to following established protocols, maintaining accuracy, and mitigating risks by adhering to regulatory requirements and internal guidelines.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating diverse teams and functions (e.g., force development, career development, lodging, mortuary affairs) to achieve seamless integration and effective execution of plans and programs.

Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, aligning individual efforts, and fostering clear communication to ensure cohesive teamwork and successful project outcomes.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment, including personnel readiness, resource availability, and potential challenges, to make informed decisions and anticipate future needs.

Demonstrating keen observational skills, proactively identifying potential issues, and adapting strategies based on real-time information to navigate complex situations and achieve desired results.

After-Action Analysis

Evaluating program performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and overall quality of service delivery.

Conducting thorough reviews of past projects or initiatives, identifying lessons learned, and applying those insights to refine future strategies and optimize performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been responsible for analyzing organizational structures, conducting management advisory studies, and implementing process improvements. This translates directly into the skills needed to help businesses optimize their operations and achieve strategic goals.

Human Resources Manager

SOC 11-3121

You've overseen the full spectrum of personnel programs, including accession, classification, promotion, and force shaping. Your experience in managing employee development, resolving conflicts, and ensuring compliance makes you an ideal candidate for leading HR initiatives.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been responsible for ensuring adherence to policies, regulations, and standards across diverse functional areas. Your attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, and ability to mitigate risks make you well-suited for ensuring organizational compliance and ethical conduct.

Business Operations Manager

SOC 11-1021

You've lead quality of service programs, established financial standards, and developed short- and long-range plans. This experience will allow you to excel in overseeing business operations, streamlining processes, and driving continuous improvement to enhance organizational performance.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Force Support Apprentice Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX

360 training hours9 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Human Resource Management and Hospitality Services

Topics Covered

  • Food Service Operations
  • Lodging Management
  • Fitness Center Management
  • Mortuary Affairs Procedures
  • Resource Management Principles
  • Personnel Support Functions
  • Recreation Program Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

SHRM-CP60% covered

Requires study of employment law, employee relations, and strategic HR management principles.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Requires focused study on the PMBOK guide, specifically areas like risk management, procurement management, and stakeholder management. Formal project management training is recommended.

Certified Public Manager (CPM)70% covered

Requires focus on state and local government regulations, budgeting, and specific public sector management techniques that might differ from military practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

SHRM-SCPLean Six Sigma Black BeltCertified Compensation Professional (CCP)Change Management Professional (CMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Manpower Programming and Execution System (MPES)Workforce planning and analytics software (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors)
Air Force Training Management System (AFTR)Learning Management Systems (LMS) (e.g., Coursera, Moodle)
Defense Travel System (DTS)Travel and expense management software (e.g., Concur, Expensify)
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Financial management and accounting software (e.g., Oracle Financials, NetSuite)
Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS) IIHealth and fitness tracking platforms for organizations (e.g., Wellable, Virgin Pulse)
Base Operating Support (BOS) contracts managementFacilities and services contract management software (e.g., ServiceChannel, Corrigo)
Unit Manpower Document (UMD)Organizational charting and headcount management software (e.g., OrgPlus, Pingboard)

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