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86P0 Career Guide

Air Force

86P0: Command and Control (C2) Systems Operator

Career transition guide for Air Force Command and Control (C2) Systems Operator (86P0)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 86P0 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Emergency Management Director

$85K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certificationsLocal emergency protocols

Operations Manager

$105K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Lean Six SigmaProject management software (e.g., Jira, Asana)

Network Operations Manager

$115K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)CompTIA Network+Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Logistics Manager

$90K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain managementAPICS certification

Intelligence Analyst

$80K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysis tools (e.g., Python, R)OSINT techniques

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 86P0 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

This role demands constant vigilance and understanding of the operational environment, tracking multiple data streams to anticipate threats and maintain control over forces and systems.

You possess a heightened ability to perceive and understand your surroundings, predict potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information. This skill translates directly into environments requiring quick assessment and proactive problem-solving.

Rapid Prioritization

In emergency situations, you are trained to quickly assess incoming information, determine the most critical tasks, and allocate resources effectively under pressure.

You excel at quickly discerning the urgency and importance of tasks, enabling you to manage competing demands and focus on what matters most, especially in fast-paced or crisis-driven settings.

Procedural Compliance

Your role involves strict adherence to established protocols and procedures for command and control, ensuring consistent and reliable operations, even under stress.

You are highly disciplined and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to follow rules and regulations precisely. This makes you dependable and ensures consistent, high-quality output.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating with various agencies to expedite traffic movement, airlift, and resource deployment requires seamless communication and collaboration, ensuring everyone is working towards the same objective.

You are adept at working effectively with diverse teams, understanding the importance of clear communication, shared goals, and coordinated efforts to achieve collective success.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been orchestrating responses to critical situations, coordinating resources, and ensuring seamless communication under pressure, which directly translates to managing disaster response and recovery efforts. Your experience in interpreting emergency war orders and initiating contingency plans makes you exceptionally well-prepared for this role.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've honed your ability to manage and coordinate complex systems, track resources, and ensure efficient deployment. Your skills in planning, organizing, and controlling data within command and control systems are highly transferable to optimizing supply chains and logistics operations.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 27-3026.00

You've developed a strong analytical mindset through evaluating emergency war orders, extracting pertinent information, and identifying potential threats. Your experience in interpreting data and developing plans for emergency and contingency activities makes you well-suited for gathering and analyzing intelligence to inform decision-making.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Command and Control (C2) Systems Operator Technical Training, Keesler AFB, MS

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Computer Information Systems or Management.

Topics Covered

  • Command Post Operations
  • Communication Systems Operation and Maintenance
  • Emergency Action Procedures
  • Message Processing and Dissemination
  • Contingency Planning
  • Data Analysis and Reporting
  • Security Protocols and Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)60% covered

Focus on FEMA regulations, disaster recovery planning methodologies, and specific emergency management phases not covered in military command and control.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Study the PMBOK guide, specifically focusing on stakeholder management, risk management, and procurement processes within a civilian project management context.

CompTIA Network+50% covered

Review current networking technologies, troubleshooting techniques, and network security best practices relevant to civilian IT infrastructure.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)ITIL 4 FoundationCertified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Air Force Command and Control (AF C2) SystemEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with real-time monitoring and control capabilities
Global Command and Control System (GCCS)Integrated data platforms for logistics, operations, and intelligence
Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN)Secure voice and data communication systems with multi-level precedence and preemption (MLPP)
Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System (JADOCS)Advanced planning and collaboration software for resource allocation and strategic decision-making
Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS)Satellite-based wideband communication systems for real-time information dissemination
Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) SystemHigh-availability, secure communication infrastructure for critical national security operations
Contingency Communication System (CCS)Emergency communication systems, including satellite phones and mobile communication platforms

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