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5R090 Career Guide

Air Force

5R090: Chaplain Assistant

Career transition guide for Air Force Chaplain Assistant (5R090)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 5R090 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Religious Education Director

$58K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific theological training within a denominationCurriculum developmentVolunteer management in a religious setting

Nonprofit Program Manager

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Grant writingFundraising experienceNonprofit management certification

Human Resources Generalist

$62K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationHRIS software proficiencyLabor law knowledge

Event Planner

$52K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificationEvent budgeting and contract negotiationMarketing and promotion skills

Administrative Services Manager

$70K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)Advanced proficiency in office management softwareBudget management experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 5R090 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

The role involves managing diverse resources like personnel (chaplains, volunteers), finances (tithes, offerings), and facilities to meet the spiritual and religious needs of a diverse military community, often under budgetary constraints.

This translates to efficiently allocating and managing resources to achieve organizational goals, a skill valuable in roles requiring budgetary oversight, project management, and strategic planning.

Situational Awareness

Chaplain Assistants must constantly assess the spiritual, ethical, and moral climate of their units, understanding the needs of individuals and the overall well-being of the community, especially during crises or deployments.

This keen awareness of the surrounding environment and the emotional states of others makes you adept at anticipating problems, identifying opportunities, and adapting strategies in dynamic situations.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating religious support teams (RSTs), managing volunteers, and partnering with chaplains and other base agencies requires seamless coordination and communication to ensure effective support and service delivery.

Your experience in synchronizing team efforts ensures that all members are working towards common objectives, which is critical for project management and collaborative problem-solving.

Rapid Prioritization

Whether responding to a crisis, managing daily chapel operations, or preparing for a deployment, Chaplain Assistants must quickly assess the urgency and importance of various tasks to effectively allocate time and resources.

This ability to quickly discern the most critical tasks and prioritize them effectively is highly valuable in fast-paced environments, ensuring that key objectives are always addressed promptly.

Procedural Compliance

The role requires strict adherence to policies and procedures related to religious accommodation, financial management (handling appropriated funds and offerings), and record-keeping, ensuring all operations are conducted ethically and legally.

Your meticulous approach to following established protocols and regulations ensures compliance and minimizes risk, an asset in roles requiring adherence to industry standards and legal guidelines.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Nonprofit Program Manager

SOC 11-9199

You've been managing diverse resources, coordinating teams, and assessing community needs within the military. This makes you exceptionally well-prepared to oversee and implement programs for nonprofit organizations, where you'll be able to drive meaningful change.

Corporate Chaplain/Wellness Coordinator

SOC 21-4011

You've been providing spiritual care and guidance to military personnel and their families. Leverage that experience by offering similar support within a corporate environment, focusing on employee well-being and ethical conduct.

Conflict Resolution Specialist

SOC 23-1099

You've been applying conflict-management skills in diverse situations, from individual counseling to unit-level issues. Your training and experience make you well-suited to mediate disputes and facilitate positive communication in civilian organizations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Religious Affairs Apprentice Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, AL

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Religious Studies, Management, and Counseling

Topics Covered

  • Religious Program Management
  • Chapel Resource Management
  • Pastoral Care Support
  • Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
  • Religious Accommodation Procedures
  • Financial Stewardship and Reporting (CTOF)
  • Worship Support and Coordination
  • Chaplain Corps Readiness and Deployment

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)60% covered

Requires study of PMBOK guide, specifically around project lifecycle, project management processes, and knowledge areas not directly related to religious support activities.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)50% covered

Requires focused study on HR topics such as talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and HR technology, as the military role has HR management aspects.

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)40% covered

Requires focused study on fund-raising principles and practices, including donor relations, ethical fundraising, and development strategies relevant to non-profit organizations, which extends beyond managing chapel funds.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Healthcare Chaplain (CHC)Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Air Force Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund (CTOF) Management SystemNon-profit fund accounting software (e.g., Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Aplos)
Defense Travel System (DTS)Travel and expense management software (e.g., Concur, Expensify)
Air Force Manpower Data System (AFMDS)Human resources information system (HRIS) (e.g., Workday, BambooHR)
Microsoft Office Suite (common utilization for correspondence, presentations, data management)Equivalent civilian office productivity suites (e.g., Google Workspace, LibreOffice)
Readiness Reporting System (DRRS)Project Management Software (e.g. Asana, Trello)

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