Security Guard/Protective Service Worker
$45KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — State-specific security license (if required)
- — Customer service skills
Live · Guide v1.03P092 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 3P092Career Guide · Operations · Security · VWC.CG.3P092.R.04
3P092 · USAF · EnlistedSecurity Forces
Security Forces
Specialist.
Air Force 3P092 (Security Forces Specialist). 700 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours700DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice and Security Administration
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 3P092 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 3P092 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01Use of Force→ Threat Modeling
- 02Intrusion Detection Systems→ SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)
- 03Air Base Defense→ Network Security
- 04Weapons Handling and Qualification (M4, M9, M240)→ Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- 05Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS)→ MorphoTrak Biometric Identification System
- 06Rapid Prioritization→ Incident Response
- 07Situational Awareness→ Vulnerability Assessment
- 08Procedural Compliance→ Security Compliance Frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)
To learn09
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux fundamentals+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)+Cloud security basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Python scripting for security automation+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA)+Risk management methodologies+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)+Troubleshooting common hardware and software issues
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.
Police Officer
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Police academy training/certification
- — State Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification
- — Physical fitness
Corporate Security Manager
$95KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Security Management Certification (e.g., CPP)
- — Project management skills
- — OSHA Safety Certification
Customs and Border Protection Officer
$70KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA)
- — Proficiency in Spanish (preferred)
- — Strong knowledge of immigration laws and procedures
Security Systems Installer/Technician
$55KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Technical certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+)
- — Specific security system training (e.g., Bosch, Honeywell)
- — Electrical wiring knowledge
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 3P092 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
SF members constantly scan their environment for threats, from monitoring access points to patrolling perimeters and reacting to alarms, demanding a keen awareness of their surroundings and potential dangers.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to perceive and understand complex environments, predict potential problems, and react effectively, crucial in dynamic and unpredictable situations.
Rapid Prioritization
Responding to emergencies, security breaches, or accidents requires SF personnel to quickly assess the situation, prioritize actions, and allocate resources to mitigate risks effectively.
Transfers to
This skill demonstrates the ability to rapidly assess situations, determine the most critical tasks, and delegate effectively under pressure, vital for crisis management and leadership roles.
Procedural Compliance
SF operations rely heavily on adherence to strict protocols, regulations, and legal frameworks, ensuring consistency, accountability, and the proper execution of security measures.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following procedures accurately and consistently demonstrates a high level of responsibility, discipline, and attention to detail, valuable in regulated industries.
Adversarial Thinking
SF members are trained to anticipate potential threats and vulnerabilities, think like an adversary, and proactively implement security measures to deter and counter hostile actions.
Transfers to
This mindset allows you to identify weaknesses in systems and plans, anticipate potential problems, and develop effective countermeasures, a valuable asset in risk management.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating effectively with other SF members, law enforcement, and emergency services during incidents demands clear communication, mutual understanding, and seamless teamwork.
Transfers to
Your experience working in coordinated teams and understanding team roles makes you invaluable in civilian settings.
/ 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.
Compliance Officer
SOC 13-1041You've been rigorously trained to enforce regulations and maintain security protocols. Your experience in ensuring procedural compliance and anticipating potential threats makes you exceptionally well-suited to oversee compliance programs in highly regulated industries, such as finance or healthcare.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 29-9099You're highly trained to respond to emergencies and coordinate resources effectively. Your experience in rapid prioritization, situational awareness, and team synchronization translates seamlessly to planning and executing disaster response strategies.
Adjacent · MatchFraud Investigator
SOC 13-2099You possess a natural aptitude for uncovering discrepancies, conducting thorough investigations, and gathering evidence. Your experience in adversarial thinking, procedural compliance, and attention to detail makes you an ideal candidate to investigate and prevent fraudulent activities.
Adjacent · MatchCorporate Security Manager
SOC 11-9199You are highly skilled in implementing security measures and managing security teams. Your experience in threat assessment, risk management, and crisis response directly translates to creating and maintaining safe and secure environments for businesses and organizations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Security Forces Academy
Lackland AFB, TX700hHours
18wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice and Security Administration
Topics · 8
- Air Base Defense
- Law Enforcement Procedures
- Weapons Handling and Qualification (M4, M9, M240)
- Security Tactics and Patrolling
- Use of Force
- Traffic Control and Accident Investigation
- Intrusion Detection Systems
- First Aid and Self-Aid Buddy Care
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60%
While the military provides extensive security experience, the CPP requires a deep understanding of business principles, security management concepts, and advanced risk assessment methodologies specific to the private sector. Study business continuity planning, financial security, and legal aspects of security management.
- Physical Security Professional (PSP)70%
The 3P092 role provides a solid foundation in physical security. However, the PSP exam requires in-depth knowledge of security systems design, implementation, and analysis, including aspects like architectural security and advanced technology integration. Study topics such as security lighting, intrusion detection systems, and access control technologies.
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)40%
The 3P092 role includes self-aid and buddy care training, providing a basic foundation for medical response. EMR certification requires expanded knowledge of medical protocols, patient assessment, and advanced first aid techniques beyond basic life support. Study advanced airway management, splinting, and emergency medical procedures.
Recommended next · 03
- Security+ (CompTIA)Adjacent
- Certified in Homeland Security (CHS)Adjacent
- Associate Protection Professional (APP)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/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio | Motorola APX Series Two-Way Radios | Operations |
| Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) | FLIR Thermal Imaging Cameras | Operations |
| Minehound VMR3 Metal Detector | Garrett Handheld Metal Detectors | Operations |
| Integrated Entry Control System (IECS) | Johnson Controls Security Management System | Operations |
| Non-Lethal Weapons (Tasers, Pepper Spray) | Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) | Weapons |
| Military Working Dog (MWD) | K9 Units | Operations |
| Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) | MorphoTrak Biometric Identification System | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 3P092 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.