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3C0X2 Career Guide

Air Force

3C0X2: Computer Systems Programming

Career transition guide for Air Force Computer Systems Programming (3C0X2)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3C0X2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Software Developer

$115K
High matchVery high demand

Database Administrator

$98K
High matchHigh demand

Computer Systems Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Information Security Analyst

$105K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CISSP, Security+)Knowledge of current cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities

Project Manager

$97K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

PMP CertificationAgile methodologies

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3C0X2 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 3C0X2, you created models of complex software systems and databases to understand their structure, behavior, and dependencies. You used these models to design, develop, and maintain software solutions that met the needs of the Air Force.

This ability to visualize and represent complex systems translates directly into designing and optimizing business processes, supply chains, or data architectures.

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely prioritized software development tasks, bug fixes, and system updates based on their impact on warfighting capabilities, security vulnerabilities, and user needs. You had to quickly assess the criticality of different issues and allocate resources accordingly.

This skill is crucial for managing competing demands and making quick decisions under pressure, whether it's in project management, emergency response, or customer service.

Procedural Compliance

Your work demanded strict adherence to DoD directives, security standards, and software development methodologies. You ensured that all software systems complied with regulations and were secure against unauthorized access and misuse.

Your meticulous attention to detail and ability to follow established procedures are valuable in roles requiring regulatory compliance, quality assurance, or risk management.

After-Action Analysis

You were involved in system reviews, technical interchanges, and testing events, requiring you to analyze the results, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations to enhance the performance and reliability of software systems.

This analytical approach to learning from experience and continuously improving processes is highly sought after in any field that values innovation and efficiency.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051

You've been analyzing complex systems and data to ensure information dominance for the Air Force. As a Business Intelligence Analyst, you will leverage those skills to analyze market trends, customer behavior, and financial data to inform strategic business decisions. Your ability to translate technical information into actionable insights will be invaluable.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been immersed in DoD directives and security standards, ensuring software systems complied with regulations. As a Compliance Officer, you will use this expertise to develop and implement compliance programs, monitor regulatory changes, and ensure that organizations adhere to legal and ethical standards.

Technical Writer

SOC 27-3042

You've been creating system specifications, program maintenance manuals, and operational guides. As a Technical Writer, you will utilize your ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation. Your experience in explaining how systems work will be highly valued.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Cyber Training School, Keesler AFB, MS

1,120 training hours28 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Software Development Fundamentals
  • Database Design and Management
  • Web Application Development
  • Software Testing and Quality Assurance
  • Configuration Management
  • Cybersecurity Principles and Practices
  • Agile Development Methodologies

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Security+70% covered

Study specific security technologies, risk management, and compliance.

Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)60% covered

Focus on formal software engineering methodologies and advanced design principles.

Project Management Professional (PMP)50% covered

Study PMI's PMBOK guide, focusing on the ten knowledge areas, five process groups, and project management methodologies.

Recommended Next Certifications

AWS Certified Developer – AssociateCertified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Agilist Certification

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Air Force Network Operations (AFNETOPS)Network Operations Centers (NOC) using tools like SolarWinds, Splunk, and Cisco DNA Center
Command and Control (C2) SystemsEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems
DoD Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process (DITSCAP)NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001 compliance
Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies, Agile development
Agile Software Development on Platform OneDevSecOps pipelines utilizing GitLab, Jenkins, and Kubernetes
Automated Security Compliance tools integrated within CI/CD pipelinesStatic code analysis tools like SonarQube; vulnerability scanning with tools like Nessus or OpenVAS
USAF Common Computing Environment (CCE)Cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

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