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43D2 Career Guide

Air Force

43D2: Nutritional Medicine Dietitian

Career transition guide for Air Force Nutritional Medicine Dietitian (43D2)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 43D2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Registered Dietitian

$70K
High matchHigh demand

Clinical Dietitian

$72K
High matchVery high demand

Food Service Manager

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

ServSafe CertificationBudget management

Health and Wellness Coordinator

$55K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Wellness program designHealth coaching certification

Corporate Wellness Consultant

$80K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Sales and marketing skillsBusiness developmentConsulting experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 43D2 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

Managing food service operations within budget constraints, including procurement, inventory, and waste reduction, while ensuring high nutritional standards are maintained.

Effectively allocating and managing resources (financial, material, personnel) to maximize efficiency and achieve objectives within budgetary limitations.

System Modeling

Developing and implementing nutritional programs and policies for diverse populations, considering factors like dietary needs, cultural preferences, and available resources, within the broader healthcare system.

Creating and adapting models to understand complex systems, predict outcomes, and design effective interventions in various organizational and community settings.

Procedural Compliance

Ensuring food preparation and service adhere to stringent regulatory standards, including sanitation, safety, and nutritional guidelines, and maintaining meticulous documentation.

Adhering to established protocols, regulations, and quality control standards in a consistent and thorough manner to ensure accuracy, safety, and compliance.

Situational Awareness

Monitoring the nutritional needs of patients, staff, and the broader base community, adapting programs and interventions based on evolving needs, emerging research, and changing circumstances.

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the environment, anticipating potential challenges and opportunities, and adjusting strategies and actions accordingly.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Corporate Wellness Consultant

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been responsible for the nutritional well-being of a large organization, which included planning menus, managing food service operations, and counseling individuals. This directly translates to creating and implementing corporate wellness programs focused on nutrition, stress management, and overall health. You can leverage your experience to improve employee health, boost productivity, and reduce healthcare costs for companies.

Food Product Development Specialist

SOC 19-1012.00

Your background in dietetics and managing food service operations gives you a unique perspective on creating healthy and appealing food products. You've been planning menus, ensuring nutritional adequacy, and understanding dietary needs; now, you can use these skills to formulate new food items for food manufacturers, focusing on taste, nutrition, and consumer appeal. Your knowledge of regulatory standards also makes you a valuable asset.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've managed nutritional medicine activities, implemented policies, and coordinated with various departments within a medical treatment facility. This experience demonstrates your ability to oversee complex healthcare operations, manage resources, and ensure compliance with regulations. As a Healthcare Administrator, you can use these skills to improve efficiency, enhance patient care, and contribute to the overall success of a healthcare organization.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Nutritional Medicine Dietitian Program, Sheppard AFB, TX

160 training hours4 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Dietetics, Nutrition, or Food Service Management

Topics Covered

  • Advanced Clinical Dietetics
  • Food Service Management in Military Settings
  • Preventive and Community Nutrition
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Military Menu Planning
  • Nutritional Support for Special Operations
  • Dietetics in Deployed Environments

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Partial Coverage

Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP)70% covered

Focus on long-term care regulations, sanitation standards specific to commercial food service, and supervisory skills outside of a military context.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CBS-OWM)Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Medical Human Resources System-internet (DMHRSi)Healthcare HR and workforce management software (e.g., Workday, Oracle HCM)
EssentrisElectronic Health Records (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
Armed Forces Recipe Service (AFRS)Commercial recipe and menu planning software (e.g., ChefTec, FoodPro)
Food Cost Management (FCM) SystemFood service inventory and cost control software (e.g., CrunchTime!, MarginEdge)
Tri-Service Food CodeFDA Food Code, local health department regulations
Military Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)National Academy of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes

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