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59A Career Guide

Army

59A: Strategist

Career transition guide for Army Strategist (59A)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 59A veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Management Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationBusiness Process Improvement (BPI) training

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific analytical software (e.g., i2 Analyst's Notebook)Enhanced knowledge of regional geopolitical issues

Policy Analyst

$80K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Public Policy or related fieldStrong quantitative analysis skills

Emergency Management Director

$84K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certificationFamiliarity with local, state, and federal emergency management protocols

Security Consultant

$90K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certificationUnderstanding of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST)Sales and business development skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 59A training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

This role requires understanding complex systems of national security, including political, economic, and military factors, and how they interact to create both threats and opportunities.

The ability to model complex systems translates to understanding intricate business operations and market dynamics.

Adversarial Thinking

Assessing threats to national security demands anticipating the actions and strategies of potential adversaries, requiring you to think critically about their motivations and capabilities.

The ability to anticipate an adversary's moves translates directly into competitive analysis and strategic planning in civilian industries.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical landscape, including emerging threats, political instability, and resource constraints, is essential for effective strategic planning.

This keen awareness readily transfers to civilian roles needing macro-environmental scanning, risk assessment, and opportunity identification.

After-Action Analysis

Reviewing past operations, policies, and strategies to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement is crucial for refining future approaches to national security.

After-Action Analysis means a commitment to continuous improvement, and the ability to review performance and create strategies for future success.

Rapid Prioritization

When providing recommendations to senior military and civilian leaders regarding national security, it is critical to quickly analyze a situation and rapidly determine which factors are most important and which should be addressed first.

In the civilian world, the ability to quickly prioritize urgent issues and decide where to place resources is a critical skill in executive leadership, management consulting, and crisis management roles.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been trained to analyze complex problems, develop strategic solutions, and present recommendations to senior leaders. Management consulting firms value these skills when advising businesses on how to improve performance and efficiency.

Risk Manager

SOC 11-9199

Your experience in assessing national security threats translates directly into identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks for organizations in various sectors, such as finance, energy, and healthcare.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161

You're skilled at understanding complex systems and anticipating adversarial moves, which translates well to analyzing market trends, competitor strategies, and consumer behavior to identify opportunities and mitigate risks for businesses.

Urban and Regional Planner

SOC 19-3051

Your experience in relating national security strategies to resource requirements can be applied to urban planning, where you'd develop plans for land use, infrastructure, and community development while considering factors like security, sustainability, and economic growth.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Advanced Military Studies Program (AMSP), Fort Leavenworth

1,200 training hours48 weeksUp to 18 graduate semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • National Security Strategy
  • Military Strategy Formulation
  • Joint Operations Planning
  • Theater Strategy Development
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Defense Policy Analysis
  • Geopolitical Analysis
  • Operational Art and Design

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)60% covered

Focus on FEMA regulations, disaster recovery planning, and local emergency response protocols.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Study the PMBOK guide, focusing on areas such as stakeholder management, risk management, and project lifecycle phases outside of military-specific contexts.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES)Project Management Software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana)
DCGS-A (Distributed Common Ground System-Army)Intelligence Analysis Platforms (e.g., Palantir, Recorded Future)
Global Command and Control System (GCCS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
Joint Targeting Toolbox (JTT)Geospatial Analysis Software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
Automated Message Handling System (AMHS)Secure Communication Platforms (e.g., Signal, encrypted email)
Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS)Business Intelligence (BI) and Reporting Dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

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