9986 Career Guide
9986: Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)
Career transition guide for Marine Corps Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) (9986)
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Top civilian roles for 9986 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Specialist
Skills to develop:
Security Consultant
Skills to develop:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot/Operator
Skills to develop:
Corporate Security Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 9986 training built — and where they transfer.
Rapid Prioritization
JTACs must quickly assess threats, friendly positions, and available air assets to decide the order of engagement and which targets to address first.
The ability to rapidly assess situations, weigh competing priorities, and make decisions under pressure translates to effectively managing complex projects and responding to crises in a fast-paced environment.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining constant awareness of the battlefield, including friendly forces, enemy positions, and environmental factors, is critical for a JTAC to safely and effectively direct air support.
Your ability to synthesize and interpret large amounts of information in a dynamic environment makes you adept at identifying risks and opportunities, and adapting strategies accordingly.
Team Synchronization
JTACs work closely with pilots, ground commanders, and other support personnel to coordinate air support, ensuring seamless integration and minimizing risk of friendly fire.
Your expertise in coordinating efforts across diverse teams, communicating clearly under pressure, and ensuring everyone is on the same page makes you a natural leader and collaborator in any organization.
Procedural Compliance
JTACs must adhere to strict protocols and procedures to ensure safety, minimize collateral damage, and comply with the rules of engagement.
Your experience in following established guidelines and protocols ensures accuracy, consistency, and adherence to quality standards, making you a valuable asset in regulated industries.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to assess risk and make quick decisions in crisis situations, just like an emergency management specialist who plans and coordinates responses to natural disasters and other emergencies.
Air Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2021.00You've honed your ability to direct air assets in complex and dynamic environments. As an Air Traffic Controller, you'll use those skills to manage the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.04You've coordinated resources and personnel in high-pressure situations. As a Logistics Manager, you'll leverage that experience to optimize supply chains and ensure efficient operations.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Joint Firepower Course, Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC) or Atlantic (EWTGLANT)
Topics Covered
- •Close Air Support (CAS) Planning
- •Terminal Attack Procedures
- •Laser Target Designation
- •Joint Fires Integration
- •Weapons Effects and Safety
- •Airspace Control
- •Personnel Recovery (PR)
- •Emergency CAS
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Study FAA regulations, civil aviation procedures, and differences in airspace management.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM (Special Operations Forces Laser Acquisition Marker) | Handheld Laser Rangefinder/Designator |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Harris or Motorola Multi-band two-way radio |
| AN/PAS-23, AN/PAS-28, or similar thermal imager | FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera |
| PLRF25C Pocket Laser Range Finder | Commercial Laser Range Finder |
| Joint Fires Observer (JFO) Target Mensuration Tools | GIS (Geographic Information System) software |
| Digital Attack Control System (DACS) | Mission planning and execution software |
| Blue Force Tracker (BFT) | Real-time GPS fleet management systems |
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