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6C0X1 Career Guide

Air Force

6C0X1: Contracting Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Contracting Specialist (6C0X1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6C0X1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Contract Specialist/Contract Officer

$78K
High matchHigh demand

Procurement Manager

$105K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain managementProject Management Professional (PMP) certification

Compliance Officer

$72K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Regulatory knowledge (specific to industry)Compliance certification (e.g., Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional - CCEP)

Logistics Manager

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

APICS certificationWarehouse managementTransportation management

Purchasing Agent

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry knowledgeNegotiation trainingAdvanced Excel skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6C0X1 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Strict adherence to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is essential in every contracting action to avoid legal challenges and ensure fair competition.

Meticulous adherence to established protocols and legal frameworks to guarantee accuracy, transparency, and risk mitigation.

Resource Optimization

Contracting Officers must maximize the value received for every dollar spent, ensuring the government obtains the best possible goods and services within budgetary constraints.

Strategic allocation and management of resources to achieve optimal outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Adversarial Thinking

Contracting involves constant negotiation and evaluation of proposals, requiring anticipation of potential challenges, risks, and the ability to identify loopholes or unethical behavior from contractors.

Critical assessment and strategic planning to identify potential risks, challenges, or adversarial tactics, enabling proactive countermeasures and protective strategies.

Situational Awareness

In contingency contracting, maintaining awareness of the operational environment, including supply chain vulnerabilities, logistical constraints, and potential threats, is essential for effective support of military operations.

Constant vigilance and understanding of the dynamics of a situation, including potential risks, opportunities, and external factors, to make informed decisions and proactive adjustments.

Rapid Prioritization

During contingency operations, the ability to quickly assess and prioritize urgent requirements, such as food, water, or medical supplies, is critical to supporting mission success.

Efficiently assessing and ranking tasks or needs based on urgency and impact, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-2001

You've been deeply immersed in the intricate world of government regulations, particularly the FAR and DFARS. As a Compliance Officer, you'll leverage that expertise to ensure businesses adhere to laws, regulations, and internal policies, preventing legal and ethical violations. Your experience in interpreting and applying complex rules makes you an ideal candidate.

Purchasing Manager

SOC 11-3061

You've honed exceptional negotiation skills and a keen eye for identifying cost-effective solutions while working with vendors and contractors. As a Purchasing Manager, you'll use these skills to secure the best deals for your company, manage supplier relationships, and ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. Your ability to analyze market trends and evaluate proposals will be invaluable.

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099

Your experience in adversarial thinking and scrutinizing contracts for compliance has equipped you with a sharp eye for detecting irregularities. As a Fraud Investigator, you'll use these skills to uncover fraudulent activities, conduct investigations, and help organizations prevent financial losses. Your ability to analyze data and interview individuals will be highly valuable.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081

You've managed complex supply chains in demanding environments, understanding the importance of timely delivery and resource optimization. As a Logistics Analyst, you'll apply that experience to analyze and improve supply chain operations, streamline processes, and reduce costs. Your ability to anticipate challenges and develop contingency plans will be highly beneficial.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Contracting Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB

360 training hours9 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Business Administration

Topics Covered

  • Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
  • Contract Types
  • Simplified Acquisition Procedures
  • Solicitation Preparation
  • Negotiation Techniques
  • Contract Administration
  • Contingency Contracting
  • Ethical Considerations in Contracting

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)70% covered

Requires focused study on the legal and ethical aspects of contract management, as well as advanced topics in negotiation and dispute resolution beyond standard government contracting practices.

Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)80% covered

Requires some study focused on changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), DFARs, and other federal contracting laws and policies.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Requires significant study of project management methodologies, Agile, and predictive approaches, as well as the five process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing) as applied to projects outside of government contracting.

Recommended Next Certifications

Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level IIICertified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)Corporate Procurement Policies and Procedures
Contract Writing System (e.g., PD2)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) procurement modules (e.g., SAP Ariba, Oracle Procurement Cloud)
Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF)/ iRAPTElectronic invoicing and payment systems
Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS)Emergency procurement and supply chain management software
Government Purchase Card (GPC) ProgramCorporate credit card programs
System for Award Management (SAM)Vendor management and registration platforms

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