61D1 Career Guide
61D1: Research and Development Scientist
Career transition guide for Air Force Research and Development Scientist (61D1)
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Top civilian roles for 61D1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Research Scientist
Skills to develop:
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Management Consultant
Skills to develop:
Data Scientist
Skills to develop:
Operations Research Analyst
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 61D1 training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
As a research officer, you developed system models to understand complex processes and predict outcomes of research initiatives, allowing for efficient project planning and risk mitigation.
This skill translates directly to the ability to create and analyze models of systems, which is crucial for predicting behavior and optimizing performance in various civilian industries.
Resource Optimization
Your role involved managing research projects, requiring you to allocate resources efficiently, including funding, personnel, and equipment, to achieve project goals within budget and time constraints.
The capacity to optimize resources effectively translates to improved operational efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced productivity in any organization.
After-Action Analysis
You consistently conducted after-action reviews of research projects to identify lessons learned, improve future research designs, and refine methodologies for greater accuracy and impact.
This skill is essential for continuous improvement and learning within organizations, helping to avoid past mistakes and implement best practices.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining situational awareness was key in your role, as you had to be aware of interdisciplinary scientific knowledge, maintain liaison with diverse organizations, and monitor research environments to anticipate challenges and adjust plans accordingly.
This ability allows for proactive problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and effective navigation of complex environments in any professional setting.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Management Consultant
SOC 13-1111You've been conducting research and developing solutions throughout your military career. Now you can apply these skills to help businesses improve their operations and solve complex problems. You are adept at analyzing situations, developing strategies, and recommending improvements, which are all key aspects of management consulting. This is a great way to leverage your analytical and problem-solving abilities in a new and challenging environment.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051You've been employing mathematical techniques, including probability and statistics, simulation, optimization theories, and computer systems to analyze and display data. As a data scientist, you can leverage these quantitative skills to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and develop predictive models for businesses and organizations. You are equipped to translate data into actionable insights.
Research and Development Manager
SOC 11-9121You've been managing research and development projects, recommending research and development projects, and helping decide if research is accepted. You can leverage your experience in planning, organizing, and directing laboratories, field units, and staff agencies to oversee research and development projects in a civilian context. You are already prepared to develop new concepts, methods, and techniques to solve scientific and operational problems.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Officer Training School (OTS), Maxwell AFB, AL and Advanced Academic Degree Program
Topics Covered
- •Air Force Officer Core Values
- •Leadership and Management Principles
- •Research Methodologies
- •Statistical Analysis
- •Experiment Design
- •Data Interpretation and Analysis
- •Technical Report Writing
- •Project Management
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Formal project management training on the five process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing) and ten knowledge areas (Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder Management) as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Specifics of research administration regulations and compliance requirements, particularly those related to grants and contracts from external funding agencies. Study best practices in pre-award and post-award management.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) | MATLAB, Python (with scientific computing libraries like NumPy and SciPy), R |
| Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) research databases | IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, specialized industry research databases |
| DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) resources | Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, High-Performance Computing Clusters |
| Air Force Modeling and Simulation Training Toolkit (AFMSTT) | Simio, AnyLogic, Arena Simulation Software |
| Joint Technical Architecture (JTA) | Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), IT governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT) |
| Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) | High-speed research networks, VPNs, secure data transfer protocols |
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