Airport Operations Specialist
$75KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Familiarity with FAA regulations
- — Commercial airport experience
Live · Guide v1.01C771 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/1C771
USAF · 1C771Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1C771.R.04
1C771 · USAF · EnlistedAirfield Management
Airfield Management
Specialist.
Air Force 1C771 (Airfield Management Specialist). 672 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$135K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours672DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1C771 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 1C771 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Airfield Safety and Inspections→ Quality Assurance testing and process improvement
- 02Emergency Response Procedures→ Incident Management and Troubleshooting
- 03Team Synchronization→ Agile Development methodologies
- 04Situational Awareness→ Monitoring and Observability
- 05NOTAM Management→ Change Management and Communication
- 06Procedural Compliance→ Compliance and Regulatory Adherence
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI+Systems analysis and design methodologies+Requirements elicitation and documentation techniques+Agile project management methodologies+Project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Linux administration and scripting (Bash, Python)
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.
Air Traffic Controller
$135KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Air Traffic Control certification
- — Extensive ATC training program
Emergency Management Specialist
$80KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — HAZMAT certification
- — Emergency planning software proficiency
- — Local emergency management regulations
Logistics Manager
$95KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification
- — Project management experience
- — ERP software proficiency
Safety Manager
$85KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA certifications
- — Risk assessment training
- — Industry-specific safety protocols
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1C771 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
Airfield Managers maintain constant awareness of airfield conditions, aircraft movements, weather changes, and potential hazards to ensure safe operations.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to perceive and understand the environment, anticipate potential issues, and make informed decisions based on dynamic circumstances.
Rapid Prioritization
This role demands the ability to quickly assess and prioritize tasks, especially during emergencies or when dealing with conflicting demands from various stakeholders.
Transfers to
The skill of rapidly and effectively triaging tasks, allocating resources, and making decisions under pressure is highly transferable.
Procedural Compliance
Airfield management relies heavily on strict adherence to regulations, policies, and procedures to maintain safety and operational efficiency.
Transfers to
A deep understanding of the importance of following established protocols and ensuring that all actions align with regulatory requirements is essential.
Team Synchronization
Airfield Managers coordinate with diverse teams, including air traffic control, maintenance, and emergency responders, requiring seamless communication and collaboration.
Transfers to
Effectively coordinating efforts across different teams, ensuring everyone is working towards a common goal, and maintaining open lines of communication is crucial.
Resource Optimization
You are entrusted with allocating resources (personnel, equipment, time) effectively to ensure smooth airfield operations and respond to changing needs.
Transfers to
This ability to efficiently manage and distribute resources to maximize productivity and achieve desired outcomes is valuable in any organization.
/ 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.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071.00You've been managing complex operations involving aircraft, personnel, and equipment. This experience translates directly to coordinating the movement of goods, materials, and people in the logistics industry. Your ability to prioritize tasks, adhere to regulations, and maintain situational awareness will make you an excellent logistics coordinator.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You have experience in emergency response actions, airfield inspections, and ensuring a safe operating environment. Your background in these areas positions you well for a role planning and coordinating responses to natural disasters and other emergencies. Your attention to detail, ability to assess risk, and experience working under pressure are invaluable assets.
Adjacent · MatchConstruction Project Manager
SOC 11-9021.00You planned and coordinated airfield construction projects, managing timelines, resources, and personnel. This skillset directly translates to overseeing construction projects in the civilian sector. Your organizational skills, ability to work with diverse teams, and experience in ensuring safety will make you successful.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00Your experience in procedural compliance, reviewing policies, and ensuring adherence to regulations will make you a strong candidate for a compliance role. Your attention to detail and your commitment to maintaining a safe and regulated environment are highly sought after.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Airfield Management Apprentice Course
Goodfellow AFB, TX672hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended
Topics · 8
- Airfield Safety and Inspections
- Flight Planning Procedures
- NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) Management
- Airfield Construction Coordination
- Emergency Response Procedures on Airfields
- Airfield Management Systems
- Airfield Operations
- Airfield Security
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Member (CM) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)60%
Requires knowledge of civilian airport operations, regulations, and management practices as defined by the AAAE. Study the AAAE's Certified Member Body of Knowledge.
- Airport Certified Employee (ACE) - Airfield Operations70%
While the military experience provides a strong foundation, this certification requires specific knowledge of FAA regulations, airport safety and security procedures specific to civilian airports. Focus on the ACE Airfield Operations curriculum from AAAE.
Recommended next · 04
- Airport Operations Professional Accreditation (AOPA)Adjacent
- Certified Airport Executive (CAE)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry CertificationAdjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Information Publications (FLIP) | Aeronautical Charts and Publications (e.g., Jeppesen, FAA Charts) | Operations |
| Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) System | FAA NOTAM Distribution System (NDS), Commercial Aviation NOTAM Services | Operations |
| Base Operations System (BOS) | Airport Operations Management Software (e.g., Air Maestro, Centrik) | Operations |
| Airfield Automation System (e.g., MAAS) | Airport Management Systems (e.g., SITA Airport Management, Amadeus Airport Operational Database) | Operations |
| Airfield Suitability and Restrictions Report (ASRR) | Airport Facility Directory (AFD), Airport data management and reporting systems | Operations |
| Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Program | Wildlife Hazard Management Programs for Airports (FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33B) | Aviation |
| Airfield Marking and Lighting Systems | ICAO and FAA standards for airfield marking and lighting | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1C771 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.