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5R091 Career Guide

Air Force

5R091: Chaplain Assistant

Career transition guide for Air Force Chaplain Assistant (5R091)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 5R091 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Religious Program Manager

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Grant writingNon-profit management experience

Administrative Services Manager

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)Familiarity with specific industry software (e.g., ERP systems)

Human Resources Coordinator

$60K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationKnowledge of employment lawExperience with HRIS systems

Chaplain (Healthcare or Hospice)

$68K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Theology, Divinity, or related fieldBoard certification as a chaplain (e.g., with the Association of Professional Chaplains)Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units

Event Planner

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificationEvent planning software proficiencyMarketing and promotion skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 5R091 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

Managing Chapel Tithes and Offering Funds (CTOF) and other financial resources requires balancing diverse religious program needs with available funding, ensuring maximum impact within budgetary constraints.

The ability to strategically allocate limited resources to achieve maximum impact translates directly to efficient budget management and program development in various civilian sectors.

Situational Awareness

Responding to crises like aircraft crashes or mass casualty events demands quick assessment of the scene, understanding the spiritual and emotional needs of those affected, and coordinating appropriate support.

A heightened awareness of the environment and the ability to rapidly assess needs and coordinate responses is valuable in high-pressure situations, ensuring effective and compassionate support.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating Religious Support Teams (RSTs) and volunteers for religious ministries involves aligning diverse individuals with specific tasks, ensuring smooth operations during religious observances, crises, and routine activities.

The skill of coordinating and synchronizing diverse teams is crucial for project management and event planning, ensuring seamless execution and effective collaboration.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to policies and procedures related to the free exercise of religion, privileged communication, and financial management is essential for maintaining ethical standards and legal compliance within the Chaplain Service.

A strong understanding of and adherence to procedural guidelines is crucial for risk management and compliance roles, ensuring ethical and legal operations in various organizational settings.

Rapid Prioritization

In a dynamic environment like a deployment, chaplain assistants must quickly assess the spiritual and emotional needs of personnel, prioritize support efforts, and allocate resources effectively under pressure.

The ability to quickly assess needs, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources effectively is highly valuable in fast-paced environments, such as emergency management or project management.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Nonprofit Program Manager

SOC 11-9199

You've been managing religious programs, resources, and volunteers. This experience translates directly into overseeing community outreach initiatives, managing budgets, and coordinating volunteers in a nonprofit setting. You already know how to assess needs and develop programs to address them. Your financial management experience with CTOF translates to grant writing and budget oversight.

Human Resources Specialist

SOC 13-1071

You've been managing personnel and volunteer programs, identifying manpower requirements, and developing position descriptions. Your experience in recruiting, training, and organizing volunteers directly applies to HR functions like talent acquisition, employee relations, and training and development. You are already adept at conflict management and mediation, which are essential skills for HR.

Mediation Specialist

SOC 29-9099

You've been using your conflict-management skills regularly and understand privileged communication. Your background in crisis intervention and spiritual support provides a strong foundation for helping parties resolve disputes constructively and confidentially.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9099

You've been managing contingency operations, coordinating with various agencies during crises, and providing spiritual triage during emergencies. Your experience in situational awareness, rapid prioritization, and resource allocation makes you well-suited to developing and implementing emergency response plans.

Training & Education Equivalencies

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

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Religious Studies or Management

Topics Covered

  • Religious Program Management
  • Privileged Communication and Confidentiality
  • Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
  • Religious Accommodation Procedures
  • Chapel Resource Management (Financial, Facility, Personnel)
  • Pastoral Care Support
  • Religious Observance Coordination
  • Readiness and Deployment Procedures for Religious Support Teams

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA)60% covered

Requires study of volunteer management best practices in civilian organizations, legal aspects of volunteerism, and risk management strategies specific to non-profit and community settings.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)40% covered

Requires study of HR functions like compensation, benefits, employee relations, talent acquisition, and HR strategic planning from a civilian business perspective. Focus on employment law and compliance.

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)30% covered

Requires study of the four phases of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Focus on interagency coordination, resource management, and public communication strategies used in civilian disaster response.

Recommended Next Certifications

Master of Divinity (MDiv)Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Certified EducatorBoard Certified Chaplain (BCC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Air Force Chaplain Corps Management Information System (AFCCMIS)Cloud-based Religious Organization Management Software (e.g., Fellowship One, Church Community Builder)
Defense Travel System (DTS)Travel and expense management software (e.g., Concur, Expensify)
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Financial Management Software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)
Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS)Emergency notification and personnel tracking systems (e.g., Everbridge, Rave Mobile Safety)
Microsoft Office Suite (Common Access Card Enabled)Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace
SharePointDocument Management and Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, Dropbox, Confluence)

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