Cybersecurity Analyst
$110KHigh match
Very high demand
Live · Guide v1.01B391 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 1B391Career Guide · Cyber · Security · VWC.CG.1B391.R.04
1B391 · USAF · EnlistedCyberspace Warfare
Cyberspace Warfare
Operator.
Air Force 1B391 (Cyberspace Warfare Operator). 1,680 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $85K–$140K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,680DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Information Technology, Computer Science, or Cybersecurity.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1B391 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 1B391 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have09
- 01Network Attack Techniques→ Vulnerability assessment and exploit development
- 02Network Defense Strategies→ Implementing security controls and incident response procedures
- 03Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing→ Identifying and exploiting weaknesses in systems and networks
- 04Reverse Engineering of Network Nodes→ Analyzing software and hardware to identify vulnerabilities
- 05Situational Awareness→ Understanding complex systems and anticipating potential threats
- 06Air Force Intranet Control Weapon System (AIC)→ Network security management platforms like SolarWinds or ManageEngine
- 07Cyberspace Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter Weapon System (CVA/H)→ Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Metasploit
- 08Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) tools→ Penetration testing frameworks like Kali Linux with tools for exploit development and payload delivery
- 09Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) tools→ Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Splunk, QRadar, or ArcSight for threat detection and incident response
To learn05
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Scripting languages (Python, Bash, or PowerShell)+SIEM tools (Splunk, QRadar, or ArcSight)+Advanced penetration testing techniques+Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH, OSCP)
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Network Engineer
$95KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — Advanced knowledge of networking protocols
Information Security Manager
$140KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- — Project management experience
Penetration Tester
$120KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- — Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Intelligence Analyst (Cyber)
$85KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Data analysis tools (e.g., Splunk, ELK stack)
- — Cyber threat intelligence platforms
- — Familiarity with intelligence cycle
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1B391 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Adversarial Thinking
You anticipate and counter potential cyberattacks by thinking like an adversary, identifying vulnerabilities and developing proactive defense strategies.
Transfers to
This translates to a strong ability to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies in various civilian sectors, especially where anticipating competitors or threats is crucial.
System Modeling
You develop a deep understanding of complex network systems, enabling you to predict system behavior, identify potential weaknesses, and design effective defense mechanisms.
Transfers to
This skill allows you to analyze and understand complex systems in any field, such as logistics, finance, or healthcare, and to optimize their performance.
Situational Awareness
You maintain constant awareness of the cyber environment, detecting anomalies and potential threats in real-time to inform rapid response and mitigation efforts.
Transfers to
In the civilian world, this means you're excellent at understanding the big picture, anticipating potential problems, and making informed decisions under pressure.
Resource Optimization
You are skilled at allocating and managing cyber defense resources effectively, ensuring that critical systems are protected and that resources are used efficiently.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to maximize efficiency and minimize waste in civilian settings, whether it's managing a project budget or streamlining a business process.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Fraud Investigator
SOC 13-2011You've been trained to think like an adversary and identify vulnerabilities in systems. This makes you exceptionally well-suited to detecting and preventing fraudulent activities by identifying patterns and weaknesses in financial systems.
Adjacent · MatchSupply Chain Risk Manager
SOC 13-1199You've honed your skills in system modeling and adversarial thinking to protect critical infrastructure. As a supply chain risk manager, you'll apply these skills to identify and mitigate potential disruptions, ensuring the smooth flow of goods and services.
Adjacent · MatchBusiness Continuity Planner
SOC 13-1199You've developed comprehensive plans and procedures to ensure operational readiness and resilience. This experience is directly transferable to business continuity planning, where you'll help organizations prepare for and respond to disruptive events, ensuring minimal impact on operations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Cyberspace Warfare Operations Course
Hurlburt Field, FL1,680hHours
42wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours recommended in Information Technology, Computer Science, or Cybersecurity.
Topics · 8
- Network Attack Techniques
- Network Defense Strategies
- Network Exploitation Methodologies
- Command and Control in Cyberspace
- Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
- Cybersecurity Policy and Procedures
- Reverse Engineering of Network Nodes
- Incident Response and Mitigation
Partial coverage · 3
- CompTIA Security+70%
Study cryptography, access control, and organizational security concepts.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)60%
Review legal/ethical issues, footprinting/reconnaissance, scanning methodologies, and enumeration techniques.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)50%
Requires 5 years of experience in 2 or more of the 8 CISSP domains. Study all domains with focus on governance, risk management and compliance.
Recommended next · 04
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)Adjacent
- GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)Adjacent
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)Adjacent
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Regional Security Stacks (JRSS) | Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) like Palo Alto Networks or Cisco Firepower | Operations |
| Air Force Intranet Control Weapon System (AIC) | Network security management platforms like SolarWinds or ManageEngine | Weapons |
| Cyberspace Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter Weapon System (CVA/H) | Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Metasploit | Weapons |
| Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) tools | Penetration testing frameworks like Kali Linux with tools for exploit development and payload delivery | Operations |
| Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) tools | Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Splunk, QRadar, or ArcSight for threat detection and incident response | Operations |
| Network Management Systems (NMS) (e.g., SolarWinds) | Network performance monitoring and management software (e.g., Datadog, New Relic) | Networking |
| Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems | Endpoint security platforms like CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne, or Carbon Black | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1B391 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.