6C051 Career Guide
6C051: Contracting Specialist
Career transition guide for Air Force Contracting Specialist (6C051)
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Top civilian roles for 6C051 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Contract Specialist
Purchasing Manager
Skills to develop:
Compliance Officer
Skills to develop:
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Logistics Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 6C051 training built — and where they transfer.
Procedural Compliance
Strict adherence to regulations and guidelines is paramount in military contracting to ensure fairness, transparency, and legal soundness in all acquisitions.
Meticulous attention to policies and protocols translates directly to highly regulated industries, ensuring operations meet stringent standards and avoid costly errors.
Adversarial Thinking
Contracting requires anticipating potential challenges from vendors, negotiating favorable terms for the government, and identifying potential risks in contract execution.
The ability to think critically and anticipate opposing viewpoints is invaluable in dispute resolution, where you can find common ground and mediate conflicts effectively.
Resource Optimization
Military contracting demands efficient allocation of funds to acquire essential goods and services while adhering to budget constraints and maximizing value for the taxpayer.
The skill of maximizing resources and finding creative solutions is highly transferable to roles where strategic investment and efficient resource management are key to success.
Rapid Prioritization
In contingency operations, contracting officers must quickly assess urgent needs, prioritize critical procurements, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances to support mission objectives.
The ability to quickly assess needs and act under pressure is valuable in dynamic environments where adapting to evolving priorities is crucial for optimal outcomes.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Insurance Claims Adjuster
SOC 13-1031You've been trained to meticulously review contracts, assess compliance, and resolve disputes. As a Claims Adjuster, you will leverage these skills to investigate insurance claims, determine coverage, and negotiate settlements.
Compliance Officer
SOC 13-1041Your experience in ensuring adherence to regulations and identifying potential risks makes you an ideal candidate for a Compliance Officer. You'll be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance programs within organizations.
Mediator
SOC 29-1129.02You've honed your negotiation skills and ability to resolve conflicts in complex contracting situations. As a Mediator, you can apply these talents to help parties reach mutually agreeable solutions in a variety of disputes.
Purchasing Agent
SOC 13-1111You have experience with procurement processes, contract negotiation, vendor selection, and inventory control, and can leverage your contracting expertise to excel as a Purchasing Agent in a private sector environment.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Contracting Apprentice Course, Lackland Air Force Base, TX
Topics Covered
- •Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- •Contract Types and Selection
- •Solicitation and Negotiation Techniques
- •Contract Administration
- •Cost and Price Analysis
- •Simplified Acquisition Procedures
- •Contingency Contracting
- •Automated Contracting Systems (e.g., PD2)
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Focus on mastering the legal and ethical standards specific to the civilian contracting environment, as well as deepening knowledge in advanced contract law.
While experienced in federal contracting, review current updates to the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement).
Learn the five project management process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing) and the ten knowledge areas as defined by the PMI. Focus on the specific tools and techniques used in civilian project management.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Automated Business Services System (ABSS) | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) |
| Contract Writing System (ConWrite) | Contract management software (e.g., Coupa, DocuSign CLM) |
| Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) / Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) | Legal and compliance databases and services (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis) |
| Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) | Supply chain management and procurement platforms |
| Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) / Electronic Data Access (EDA) | Electronic invoicing and payment processing systems |
| Government Purchase Card (GPC) Program | Corporate credit card and expense management systems |
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