Videographer
$65KHigh match
Growing demand
Live · Guide v1.023191 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 23191Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.23191.R.04
23191 · USAF · EnlistedMotion Media
Motion Media
Specialist.
Air Force 23191 (Motion Media Specialist). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $62K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Communications, Television Production, or related field.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 23191 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 23191 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have13
- 01Avid Media Composer→ Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro
- 02Pro Tools→ Avid Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Audacity
- 03Broadcast Camera Systems→ Professional broadcast camera systems (Sony, Panasonic, Canon)
- 04Lighting Systems (e.g., ARRI, Kino Flo)→ Studio lighting equipment (ARRI, Kino Flo, Dracast)
- 05Video Switchers (e.g., Ross Video, Blackmagic Design)→ Live production switchers (Ross, Blackmagic, NewTek TriCaster)
- 06Character Generators (CG) (e.g., Chyron)→ On-screen graphics and titling software (Chyron, Vizrt, NewBlueFX)
- 07Teleprompters (Various Models)→ Teleprompter software and hardware (e.g., ProPrompter, Parrot Teleprompter)
- 08Aerial Camera Mounts and Stabilizers (Specific to aircraft)→ Gimbal systems for aerial videography (DJI Ronin, Freefly Movi)
- 09Situational Awareness→ Quickly assessing surroundings and understanding context
- 10Team Synchronization→ Collaborating with others and working towards a common goal
- 11Resource Optimization→ Maximizing the use of available resources to stay within budget
- 12Pattern Recognition→ Spotting inconsistencies and maintaining coherence in complex projects
- 13Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to established guidelines and regulations
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+IT systems and architecture basics+Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Software documentation tools (e.g., Sphinx, Doxygen)+API documentation standards+UI/UX design principles+User research methodologies+Ticketing systems (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow)+Operating systems and networking fundamentals
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.
Multimedia Artist/Animator
$77KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender)
- — Graphic design principles
- — Storyboarding
Broadcast Technician
$62KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
- — Networking fundamentals
- — Specific broadcast equipment certifications
Film/Video Editor
$68KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced editing software skills (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
- — Color grading techniques
- — Motion graphics
Corporate Video Producer
$85KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management
- — Client communication
- — Marketing fundamentals
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 23191 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a Motion Media Specialist, you constantly maintain situational awareness to capture critical visuals, adjusting camera angles, settings, and coordinating with pilots in aerial assignments to ensure you obtain the desired footage, even in dynamic environments.
Transfers to
This translates to the ability to quickly assess your surroundings and understand the context of a situation, a valuable skill in any fast-paced environment where adapting to changing conditions is crucial.
Team Synchronization
This role requires seamless coordination with diverse teams, from pilots during aerial shoots to producers, directors, and writers during production. You ensure everyone is aligned to achieve the desired outcome.
Transfers to
This reflects your ability to effectively collaborate with others, understand their roles, and work together harmoniously toward a common goal, essential for project management and team-based problem-solving.
Resource Optimization
You determine equipment requirements, manage budgets, and ensure resources are used efficiently, whether it's selecting the right camera for a specific shot or managing studio sets and props.
Transfers to
You have experience maximizing the use of available resources, making sure projects stay on track and within budget. This is a key asset in any organization that values efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Pattern Recognition
Identifying visual patterns and ensuring continuity in shots, lighting, and color balance are crucial parts of the role to deliver a cohesive final product.
Transfers to
Your trained eye can spot inconsistencies and maintain coherence in complex projects, which makes you a valuable asset to have in fields that require high attention to detail.
Procedural Compliance
Following strict protocols for camera operation, safety, and copyright observance is paramount. You ensure all visual information functions are performed ethically and legally.
Transfers to
You're skilled at adhering to established guidelines and regulations, ensuring that your work meets the highest standards of integrity and compliance, this skill is invaluable in roles requiring meticulous attention to detail.
/ 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.
Technical Writer
SOC 27-3042You've been researching subject matter, writing captions and background material, and ensuring clarity and accuracy in your visual documentation. This experience directly translates to the skills needed to create clear, concise, and informative technical documentation for various industries.
Adjacent · MatchMultimedia Artist/Animator (for Education)
SOC 27-1014You've been involved in visual information production for educational purposes, which aligns with the creation of educational animations and multimedia content. You understand how to effectively communicate information through visual mediums, making you well-suited for this role.
Adjacent · MatchMedia Preservation Specialist
SOC 25-4013You’ve been performing operator maintenance on equipment, determining appropriate recording methods, and ensuring the quality of visual information materials. Your experience is directly applicable to preserving and archiving various media formats for future generations.
Adjacent · MatchUX/UI Designer
SOC 15-1255You've been considering camera angles, lighting, and special effects, ensuring color compatibility and visual appeal. These skills are transferable to UX/UI design, where you'll focus on creating user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for digital products.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Visual Information Production Documentation (VIPD) Course
Defense Information School (DINFOS), Fort Meade, MD480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Communications, Television Production, or related field.
Topics · 8
- Camera Operation and Techniques (ground and aerial)
- Lighting Principles and Techniques
- Audio Recording and Sound Distribution
- Video Editing and Post-Production
- Studio Production (set design, floor management)
- Technical Directing and Switching
- Visual Information Editorial Functions
- Motion Media Systems Operation
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)60%
Focus on business practices, legal considerations, and advanced artistic techniques specific to professional photography businesses. Review marketing, sales, and client management strategies.
- Certified Video Production Professional (CVPP)70%
Study advanced video editing techniques, color grading workflows, and project management methodologies specific to professional video production environments.
- Avid Certified Professional: Media Composer50%
Deepen knowledge of advanced Media Composer features, including scripting, complex effects, and collaboration workflows. Obtain hands-on experience with project management and troubleshooting.
Recommended next · 03
- Adobe Certified Professional in Video DesignAdjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Avid Media Composer | Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro | Operations |
| Pro Tools | Avid Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Audacity | Operations |
| Broadcast Camera Systems (Various Models by Sony, Panasonic, Ikegami) | Professional broadcast camera systems (Sony, Panasonic, Canon) | Operations |
| Lighting Systems (e.g., ARRI, Kino Flo) | Studio lighting equipment (ARRI, Kino Flo, Dracast) | Operations |
| Video Switchers (e.g., Ross Video, Blackmagic Design) | Live production switchers (Ross, Blackmagic, NewTek TriCaster) | Networking |
| Character Generators (CG) (e.g., Chyron) | On-screen graphics and titling software (Chyron, Vizrt, NewBlueFX) | Operations |
| Teleprompters (Various Models) | Teleprompter software and hardware (e.g., ProPrompter, Parrot Teleprompter) | Operations |
| Aerial Camera Mounts and Stabilizers (Specific to aircraft) | Gimbal systems for aerial videography (DJI Ronin, Freefly Movi) | Aviation |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 23191 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.