New Cohort Starts:

Donate

89390 Career Guide

Air Force

89390: Chaplain Assistant

Career transition guide for Air Force Chaplain Assistant (89390)

Translate Your 89390 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 89390 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Religious Program Director

$78K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Grant writingFundraising

Chaplain

$67K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent theological degreeOrdination or endorsement by a recognized religious bodyBoard certification in chaplaincy (e.g., Association of Professional Chaplains)

Nonprofit Program Manager

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (e.g., PMP, CAPM)Fundraising and grant writing experienceVolunteer management

Human Resources Generalist

$65K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationEmployee relations experienceKnowledge of labor laws and regulations

Event Planner

$55K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificationEvent budgeting and negotiation skillsMarketing and promotion experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 89390 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a Chaplain Assistant, you manage a diverse range of resources, including appropriated funds, volunteer personnel, and physical facilities, to effectively meet the spiritual and religious needs of Air Force personnel and their families.

This translates to efficiently allocating budgets, managing staff, and optimizing the use of space and equipment to maximize productivity and impact within budgetary constraints.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a constant awareness of the spiritual, ethical, and moral climate within your assigned unit, proactively identifying emerging issues and adapting your support strategies to address them effectively. You also need to be aware of religious sensitivities and cultural differences.

This skill translates to being able to quickly assess complex situations, identify potential problems or opportunities, and adapt your approach accordingly. You can anticipate needs and proactively address potential issues before they escalate.

Team Synchronization

You coordinate the efforts of chaplains, volunteers, and other support personnel to deliver comprehensive religious support services. You orchestrate diverse elements to ensure seamless execution of religious observances, pastoral care, and other spiritual programs.

This translates to effectively coordinating multiple individuals and groups to achieve a common goal. You excel at aligning diverse activities to ensure efficient and effective outcomes, fostering collaboration and communication.

Procedural Compliance

You are well-versed in the policies and procedures related to the free exercise of religion and ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines. You are expected to provide advice to leadership regarding religious accommodations.

This ensures that you are adept at understanding and adhering to regulations, policies, and procedures. You're able to navigate complex guidelines while maintaining ethical and legal standards.

Rapid Prioritization

In crisis situations such as aircraft crashes or mass casualty events, you must quickly assess spiritual and emotional needs and allocate resources to provide immediate support and counseling. You need to determine who is most in need of your attention.

You can quickly assess situations and determine the most important tasks that need immediate attention, even under pressure. You're adept at allocating resources and focusing efforts where they're most needed, allowing you to maintain composure in stressful settings.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Event Planner

SOC 13-1121

You've been expertly managing religious observances, coordinating worship spaces, and organizing events for diverse groups. This experience directly translates to planning and executing corporate events, conferences, and other large-scale gatherings.

Nonprofit Program Manager

SOC 11-9151

You've been managing religious support programs, coordinating volunteers, and allocating resources to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of Air Force personnel. This experience is directly applicable to managing community outreach programs, social services initiatives, or other nonprofit endeavors.

Human Resources Specialist

SOC 13-1071

You've been managing personnel, developing training programs, and ensuring compliance with regulations. This experience translates well to managing employee relations, talent acquisition, and compliance within a corporate setting.

Mediation Specialist

SOC 29-9099

You've been using conflict-management skills within the Chaplain Service. Your ability to act as a neutral facilitator, apply keen listening skills, and remain calm in challenging situations translates well into helping parties find common ground to resolve disputes.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Religious Affairs Apprentice Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, AL

590 training hours15 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Religion or Pastoral Counseling

Topics Covered

  • Religious Program Management
  • Chapel Resource Management (CTOF, APF)
  • Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention
  • Religious Accommodation Procedures
  • Pastoral Care Support
  • Worship Service Logistics and Coordination
  • Chapel Facility Management
  • Volunteer Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Public Manager (CPM)60% covered

Requires study of public sector-specific management principles, government regulations, and public policy development.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)40% covered

Requires focused study on civilian HR laws, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, and employee relations best practices.

Project Management Professional (PMP)30% covered

Requires comprehensive study of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques as defined by PMI, plus formal project management experience documentation.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)Master of Divinity (MDiv)Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Certification

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Financial Management Software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP)
Air Force Training Record (AFTR)Learning Management System (LMS) (e.g., Moodle, TalentLMS)
Defense Travel System (DTS)Travel and Expense Management Software (e.g., Concur, Expensify)
Microsoft Office Suite (Specifically Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint)Equivalent productivity suites like Google Workspace, Zoho Workplace, or OnlyOffice
Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS)Emergency Notification and Personnel Tracking Systems (e.g., Everbridge, AlertMedia)
Unit Deployment Manager (UDM) SystemProject Management Software with Resource Allocation (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 89390 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free