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84H0 Career Guide

Air Force

84H0: Historian

Career transition guide for Air Force Historian (84H0)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 84H0 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Archivist

$58K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Master's Degree in Library Science (MLS) or Archival StudiesKnowledge of archival management software (e.g., ArchivesSpace)Digital preservation skills

Historian

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Doctorate in History or related fieldSpecialized research expertise in a specific historical areaGrant writing skills

Museum Curator

$62K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Master's Degree in Museum Studies or related fieldExperience in museum collection managementExhibition design and development skills

Technical Writer

$70K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Familiarity with technical writing software (e.g., MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker)Understanding of technical documentation standardsAbility to translate complex information into clear and concise language

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Experience with intelligence analysis tools and techniquesKnowledge of specific geopolitical regions or issuesStrong analytical and critical thinking skillsSecurity Clearance

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 84H0 training built — and where they transfer.

After-Action Analysis

This role requires meticulously reviewing past events, operations, and decisions to identify lessons learned, understand successes and failures, and improve future strategies within a military context.

The ability to analyze past projects, campaigns, or initiatives to extract actionable insights, improve processes, and inform future decision-making.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a thorough understanding of the operational environment, historical context, and potential impacts of decisions on various stakeholders. This involves synthesizing large amounts of information to provide insightful advice to commanders.

The capacity to quickly grasp and understand the dynamics of complex situations, assess potential risks and opportunities, and make informed recommendations based on a comprehensive understanding of the environment.

Resource Optimization

Effectively managing historical resources, documentation, and personnel to maximize their impact on research projects and historical programs, ensuring that these resources are used efficiently and contribute to the overall mission.

The aptitude for efficiently allocating and managing resources (time, budget, personnel, materials) to achieve optimal outcomes in projects and initiatives, ensuring that resources are used strategically and effectively.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to established research methodologies, archival standards, and reporting requirements to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of historical documentation and research products.

The ability to consistently follow established protocols, guidelines, and regulations in completing tasks and projects, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and adherence to standards.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Competitive Intelligence Analyst

SOC 13-2011

You've been trained to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from diverse sources to develop comprehensive reports and provide strategic insights. Your experience in historical research and documentation directly translates to the skills needed to track competitors, identify market trends, and inform business strategy.

Archivist

SOC 25-4011

You've mastered the skills of preserving, organizing, and indexing historical materials. You understand the importance of maintaining accessible and accurate records. Your experience translates perfectly to managing and preserving valuable information in archives, museums, and libraries.

Policy Analyst

SOC 13-2072

You've advised commanders and staff on the use of historical information in policy development and decision-making. Your research, analytical, and communication skills make you an ideal candidate for analyzing and developing policies within government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy organizations.

User Experience (UX) Researcher

SOC 15-1299.09

Your experience in gathering information through interviews, examining documents, and analyzing data to develop meaningful conclusions closely mirrors the UX research process. You are skilled at understanding user needs and translating them into actionable insights to improve user experience.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Basic Historian Course, Maxwell AFB, AL

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in History

Topics Covered

  • Military History Research Methodologies
  • Archival Management and Preservation Techniques
  • Oral History Collection and Interviewing
  • Historical Writing and Reporting
  • Air Force History and Heritage
  • Historical Program Management
  • Contemporary Operations Documentation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Archivist (CA)60% covered

While the military role provides experience in historical preservation and organization, formal archival training on topics such as arrangement and description, legal and ethical issues, and digital preservation would be beneficial.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

The role involves project management aspects, but PMP certification requires a deeper understanding of PMI's project management framework, including areas like risk management, stakeholder management, and detailed project planning methodologies.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Records Manager (CRM)Digital Archives Specialist (DAS)Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) finding aids and databasesNational Archives and Records Administration (NARA) online catalog and finding aids, specialized databases like JSTOR or ProQuest
Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS)Knowledge management systems, corporate intranets, shared documentation platforms (e.g., Confluence, SharePoint)
Automated Information Management (AIM) system for records managementEnterprise Content Management (ECM) systems (e.g., OpenText, Documentum), cloud-based document storage and management (e.g., Box, Google Drive, Dropbox Business)
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) secure communication channelsSecure file transfer protocol (SFTP), encrypted email services, secure cloud storage solutions
Oral History Program transcription and archiving softwareTranscription software (e.g., Otter.ai, Trint), digital asset management (DAM) systems for audio and video files
DoD Public Affairs Visual Information Records System (PAVIRS)Digital asset management (DAM) systems (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager Assets, Widen Collective)

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