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49E Career Guide

Army

49E: Test and Evaluation Officer

Career transition guide for Army Test and Evaluation Officer (49E)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 49E veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Test Engineer

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry testing standards (e.g., ISO)Software testing tools (e.g., Selenium, JUnit)

Systems Engineer

$115K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Specific domain knowledge (e.g., aerospace, defense)Systems modeling tools (e.g., Simulink)Requirements management software

Data Analyst

$85K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)Statistical analysis software (e.g., R, Python)SQL

Research and Development (R&D) Manager

$130K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certifications (e.g., PMP)Specific industry knowledgeGrant writing

Management Consultant

$120K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

MBA or relevant master's degreeConsulting methodologiesIndustry-specific expertise

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 49E training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 49E, you created models of complex weapon systems and combat development concepts to understand their behavior and predict their performance under various conditions. This included simulating real-world scenarios to identify potential issues and areas for improvement.

In the civilian world, system modeling translates to designing and analyzing complex systems across various industries. This involves creating simulations, predictive models, and analytical frameworks to optimize performance and mitigate risks.

After-Action Analysis

You meticulously conducted after-action analysis of tests, experiments, and war games. This involved identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in weapons systems and combat strategies based on empirical data and objective observations.

This skill translates directly into post-project or post-launch reviews. You're adept at identifying what went right, what went wrong, and recommending data-driven improvements for future projects, making you invaluable in any organization focused on continuous improvement.

Adversarial Thinking

In testing and evaluating weapon systems, you actively considered how adversaries might exploit vulnerabilities. This involved thinking like the enemy to identify weaknesses and develop countermeasures, ensuring systems were robust and resilient.

This mindset is highly valuable in risk management and cybersecurity roles. You can anticipate potential threats and develop proactive strategies to protect assets and information, contributing to the overall security posture of an organization.

Rapid Prioritization

Faced with numerous testing requirements and data points, you had to quickly prioritize tasks and resources based on their impact on acquisition decisions and force development. This ensured the most critical aspects were addressed efficiently and effectively.

This translates directly into project management and consulting roles where you need to assess multiple projects, allocate resources effectively, and meet deadlines under pressure. Your ability to quickly determine priorities ensures that the most important tasks are always addressed first.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051

You've been analyzing complex data sets to evaluate weapon systems, a skill directly transferable to data science. Your experience in designing experiments, interpreting empirical data, and applying risk analysis makes you well-equipped to build predictive models and extract insights from data in a variety of industries.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been evaluating complex systems and processes within the military, making you well-suited to analyze business operations and identify areas for improvement. Your ability to design tests and experiments, analyze data, and provide objective recommendations will be invaluable to clients seeking to optimize their performance.

Financial Risk Analyst

SOC 13-2051

You've been applying risk analysis to weapon systems and combat development concepts, and this experience translates well to assessing financial risks and developing mitigation strategies. Your ability to identify potential vulnerabilities and design robust countermeasures will be highly valuable in the financial sector.

Cybersecurity Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've honed adversarial thinking skills by anticipating how adversaries might exploit vulnerabilities in weapon systems. Your ability to identify weaknesses and develop countermeasures is directly applicable to protecting networks and data from cyber threats. You'll bring a unique perspective to cybersecurity, thinking like the attacker to stay one step ahead.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Test and Evaluation Officer Course, Fort Novosel

400 training hours10 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in statistics, research methods, and project management

Topics Covered

  • Test Design and Methodology
  • Data Analysis and Statistical Methods
  • Risk Management and Assessment
  • Army Acquisition Process
  • Operational Testing and Evaluation
  • System Performance Measurement
  • Report Writing and Communication

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Test and Evaluation Professional (CTEP)70% covered

Requires study of specific test and evaluation methodologies, advanced statistical analysis techniques, and in-depth knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Need to study the five project management process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing) and the ten knowledge areas as defined by PMI. Focus on the application of project management tools and techniques in civilian contexts.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC)Simulation software for training and wargaming (e.g., VBS4, Unity, Unreal Engine)
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Ballistic trajectory and fire control software
Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE) SimulationsHigh Fidelity computer-based training, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) environments
Army Warfighting Assessment (AWA) data collection toolsData analytics platforms and survey tools (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Tableau, SPSS)
Live, Virtual, Constructive – Integrated Architecture (LVC-IA)Integrated simulation and training platforms
Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE)Automated test equipment (ATE) and diagnostic systems
Operational Test and Evaluation Command (OPTEC) methodologiesQuality assurance and product testing methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Agile testing)

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