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63A3 Career Guide

Air Force

63A3: Acquisition Manager

Career transition guide for Air Force Acquisition Manager (63A3)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 63A3 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Program Manager

$140K
High matchHigh demand

Project Manager

$120K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

PMP Certification

Management Consultant

$150K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

MBAConsulting experience

Logistics Manager

$110K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certification

Defense Contractor Program Manager

$160K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Familiarity with specific government contracting regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 63A3 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 63A3, you develop a comprehensive understanding of how various defense systems and subsystems interact, allowing you to anticipate potential issues and optimize overall performance and integration.

This ability to visualize complex systems and their interdependencies translates directly into roles where you can design, analyze, and improve processes within organizations.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing budgets, schedules, and personnel to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of acquisition programs, ensuring resources are allocated strategically.

This skill is valuable in any role requiring strategic resource allocation, cost management, and efficiency improvements.

Team Synchronization

You coordinate efforts across diverse teams, including engineers, logisticians, and program managers, to achieve common acquisition goals. This demands clear communication, delegation, and conflict resolution skills.

The ability to synchronize diverse teams toward a unified objective is highly valued in any project management or leadership role.

Rapid Prioritization

Faced with competing demands and tight deadlines, you must quickly assess priorities, delegate tasks, and make critical decisions to keep acquisition programs on track.

This skill allows you to excel in fast-paced environments where rapid decision-making and prioritization are essential for success.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Process Improvement Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been expertly orchestrating complex acquisition processes, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing effective solutions. As a Business Process Improvement Consultant, you'll leverage these skills to streamline business operations for various organizations, driving efficiency and cost savings.

Supply Chain Analyst

SOC 13-1081

You've managed the entire lifecycle of complex acquisition programs, and you inherently understand the complexities of supply chains. As a Supply Chain Analyst, you will leverage your problem solving and system analysis skills to optimize supply chain performance.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111

You've mastered resource optimization and team coordination within acquisition programs. As a Healthcare Administrator, you can apply these skills to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare facilities, ensuring resources are allocated strategically to provide the best possible patient care.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Acquisition Officer Course, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in business administration or management

Topics Covered

  • •Defense Acquisition Management
  • •Program Planning, Budgeting, and Execution
  • •Contract Management
  • •Systems Engineering
  • •Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • •Risk Management
  • •Acquisition Law and Regulations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)70% covered

While experienced in managing defense acquisition programs, the PMP requires a strong understanding of PMI's project management framework, including its terminology, processes, and knowledge areas. Study the PMBOK Guide and practice with sample PMP exam questions.

Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)75% covered

Experience likely covers much of the material. Focus study on the specific nuances of federal contracting regulations, laws, and policies beyond the DoD, as well as recent changes in federal acquisition policy.

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)40% covered

Black Belt certification requires mastery of Six Sigma principles and tools. Requires in-depth study of statistical process control, hypothesis testing, design of experiments, and Lean principles. Get hands-on experience applying these tools in a project setting.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)Lean Six Sigma Black BeltProgram Management Professional (PgMP)Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certification in Program Management

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Acquisition Management System (DAMS)Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project)
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
Comprehensive Cost and Requirements System (CCaR)Cost estimation and analysis software (e.g., SEER, PRICE)
Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)Requirements Management Platforms (e.g., IBM Rational DOORS)
Systems Engineering Management Chart (SEMC)Gantt Chart Software (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project)
Earned Value Management System (EVMS)Earned Value Management Software (e.g., Deltek Cobra, Oracle Primavera)

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