Air Traffic Controller
$138KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.01C291 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 1C291Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1C291.R.04
1C291 · USAF · EnlistedSpecial Tactics
Special Tactics
Airman.
Air Force 1C291 (Special Tactics Airman). 1,700 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $68K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,700DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 18 semester hours recommended in military science, air traffic control, and emergency medical services
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1C291 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 1C291 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01C3ISR operations→ Understanding complex networked systems
- 02Reconnaissance and surveillance→ Threat assessment and risk management
- 03Operating communications equipment→ Network troubleshooting and configuration
- 04ATC and navigation→ Systems monitoring and control
- 05Rapid Prioritization→ Incident Response
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)+Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+Penetration testing methodologies+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation+Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines+Data analysis and visualization+Systems design and architecture
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.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician/Pilot
$75KGood match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Part 107 certification
- — Specific UAS platform training
Emergency Management Specialist
$78KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — HAZMAT certification
- — FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)
Intelligence Analyst
$85KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in specific intelligence analysis software (e.g., Palantir)
- — Enhanced analytical skillset certifications
Construction Surveyor
$68KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Civil Engineering knowledge
- — Surveying certification
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1C291 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
Airfield operations under combat conditions demand constant vigilance and the ability to anticipate threats, maintain airspace control, and adapt to rapidly changing battlefield scenarios. You are responsible for the safety of all aircraft in your airspace.
Transfers to
This translates directly into an acute awareness of your surroundings and the ability to make decisions based on real-time information, a valuable asset in high-pressure civilian environments.
Rapid Prioritization
In situations involving close air support, combat search and rescue, or emergency resupply, you are the critical link between the ground commander and the air assets, triaging needs and dispatching resources in the most effective way.
Transfers to
You can quickly assess needs, allocate resources, and execute plans under duress, a skill highly valued in dynamic and unpredictable civilian fields.
Team Synchronization
As an Airfield Management professional, you orchestrate the efforts of pilots, ground crews, medical personnel, and supporting arms to ensure coordinated actions during high-stakes operations.
Transfers to
You're adept at integrating diverse teams, coordinating efforts, and maintaining momentum toward common goals, a skill essential for success in complex civilian organizations.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Operating in austere conditions, you can maintain vital communications and navigation systems even when primary systems fail. Your ability to work with limited resources ensures mission success in spite of the odds.
Transfers to
You are resourceful and able to innovate, keep systems running under challenging conditions, and find solutions when resources are limited; valuable in entrepreneurial environments.
/ 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.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been orchestrating complex operations in dynamic and dangerous environments. Your ability to assess threats, prioritize resources, and lead teams during crises makes you an ideal candidate for managing emergency response efforts at the local, state, or federal level.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been responsible for coordinating the movement of personnel and equipment in support of combat operations. Your experience in planning, organizing, and executing complex logistical operations translates directly to managing supply chains and distribution networks in the civilian sector.
Adjacent · MatchAirspace System Inspection Specialist
SOC 17-3021.00You've been intimately involved with maintaining the safety and efficiency of airspace. Your knowledge of air traffic control procedures, navigational aids, and aviation regulations makes you a perfect fit for ensuring compliance and identifying potential hazards in civilian airspace.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Special Warfare Training Wing
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland1,700hHours
40wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 18 semester hours recommended in military science, air traffic control, and emergency medical services
Topics · 8
- Air Traffic Control Fundamentals
- Close Air Support Procedures
- Reconnaissance and Surveillance Techniques
- Advanced Weapons and Tactics
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training
- Parachute Operations
- Combat Medical Skills
- Demolitions
Partial coverage · 3
- FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist60%
Differences in FAA regulations, procedures, and equipment. Need to study FAA Order JO 7110.65 and related guidance.
- Certified Fire Control Technician (CFCT)40%
Requires study of specific fire control systems, ballistics, and safety procedures relevant to civilian applications like pyrotechnics or special effects.
- Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107)70%
Requires knowledge of FAA regulations, airspace, weather, and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operations specific to civilian applications. Must pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) CertificationAdjacent
- Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central | Mobile air traffic control tower | Operations |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Motorola MOTOTRBO professional digital two-way radio system | Operations |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (e.g., DAGR) | Trimble GPS handheld receiver | Operations |
| Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (e.g., RQ-11 Raven) | DJI Matrice series drones | Operations |
| Joint Fires Observer (JFO) equipment (Laser Target Designators) | Laser rangefinder binoculars | Operations |
| Blue Force Tracker (BFT) | Real-time GPS fleet management systems | Operations |
| Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) | FLIR night vision monocular | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1C291 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.