13J MOS Fire Control Specialist — Civilian Career Guide
Operates automated fire control systems (primarily AFATDS) to process fire missions and build firing solutions. Sets up tactical data systems, loads initialization data, and manages fire support coordination measures.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$105,600.00
AVG SALARY
$84,880.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242
$105,600.00
median/yr
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051
$103,500.00
median/yr
Operations Manager
SOC 11-1021
$82,420.00
median/yr
Emergency Dispatcher
SOC 43-5031
$48,000.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 13J Fire Control Specialist veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Army COOL / Credentialing Assistance ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 13J service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Fire Control Specialist role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Rucks, jumps, and repetitive impact wear the knees.
See how it is rated →Helmets, NODs, and overhead work load the neck.
See how it is rated →Blast exposure and impacts can cause lasting effects.
See how it is rated →Often secondary to neck strain, TBI, or stress.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Civilian careers 13J feeds
Each links to every military code across all branches that leads to the same job, which is useful context when a posting asks for experience you have under a different name.
13J equivalents in other branches
Ranked by how much civilian ground they share with 13J, not by title similarity. Handy for joint billets, spouse comparisons, or explaining your background to someone who served elsewhere.
Translate Your 13J Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Fire Control Specialist skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Army veterans.
13J Fire Control Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 13J Fire Control Specialist do?
Operates automated fire control systems (primarily AFATDS) to process fire missions and build firing solutions. Sets up tactical data systems, loads initialization data, and manages fire support coordination measures.
What civilian jobs can a 13J Fire Control Specialist transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 13J (Army MOS) Fire Control Specialist include Database Administrator, Data Analyst, Operations Manager, and Emergency Dispatcher. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 13J Fire Control Specialist make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 13J Fire Control Specialist have median salaries ranging from about $48,000 to $105,600 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 13J Fire Control Specialist land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 13J Fire Control Specialist resume include CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 13J Fire Control Specialist bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 13J Fire Control Specialist develops, including Tactical data system operation, Technical computation, Database setup and management, Radio and network configuration, and Coordination measure management. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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13J Jobs by State
Explore 13J Fire Control Specialist career opportunities by state.