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Live · Guide v1.04C091 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 4C091Career Guide · Medical · VWC.CG.4C091.R.04
4C091 · USAF · Enlisted

Mental Health Service
Apprentice.

Air Force 4C091 (Mental Health Service Apprentice). 576 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $40K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours576DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in psychology, counseling, or social work
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 4C091 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 4C091 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have06
  • 01
    Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
  • 02
    Mental Health Assessment Tools (e.g., PCL-5, GAD-7, PHQ-9)Data collection and analysis platforms
  • 03
    Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Reporting SystemCase management and reporting software
  • 04
    Air Force Drug Testing Program Information Management SystemDrug screening and reporting software
  • 05
    Rapid Prioritization & Situational AwarenessQuick problem-solving and efficient task management
  • 06
    Procedural Compliance & Team SynchronizationAdhering to standards and collaborating effectively
To learn05

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+EHR system administration (Epic, Cerner)+SQL and data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)+IT support ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)+Fundamentals of programming languages (Python or Java)+Principles of software testing and automation frameworks (Selenium, Cypress)
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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

$65K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology
  • State licensure as an LMHC, LCSW, or similar
P.02

Substance Abuse Counselor

$55K
High match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) or similar certification
  • Knowledge of specific therapeutic models (e.g., CBT, DBT)
P.03

Social and Human Service Assistant

$40K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Stronger understanding of community resources
  • Proficiency in case management software
P.04

Human Resources Specialist

$62K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification
  • Knowledge of HR laws and regulations
  • Recruiting and employee relations skills
P.05

Healthcare Administrator

$75K
Moderate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration
  • Knowledge of healthcare regulations (HIPAA, etc.)
  • Experience with budgeting and financial management
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 4C091 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Rapid Prioritization

In crisis situations involving patients with mental health issues, you quickly assess the urgency and severity of their needs to determine who requires immediate attention and what interventions are necessary.

Transfers to

You can swiftly evaluate competing demands and allocate resources effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

You meticulously adhere to established protocols and regulations when administering psychological tests, documenting patient information, and implementing treatment plans to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and legal compliance.

Transfers to

You demonstrate a strong commitment to following guidelines and maintaining standards of practice, which is crucial for regulated industries and quality control processes.

S.03

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor patient behavior and environmental cues to anticipate potential risks, such as self-harm or aggression, and take proactive measures to ensure patient safety and maintain a therapeutic environment.

Transfers to

You possess a heightened ability to perceive and interpret complex situations, allowing you to identify potential problems and implement preventative strategies.

S.04

Team Synchronization

Working closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, you seamlessly coordinate your actions and communicate effectively to provide holistic patient care and achieve shared treatment goals.

Transfers to

You excel at collaborating with diverse teams, sharing information, and adapting your approach to support collective objectives.

/ 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 13-1041.00

You've been trained to meticulously adhere to regulations and protocols in high-stakes environments. As a Compliance Officer, you'll leverage this expertise to ensure that organizations operate ethically and legally, identifying potential risks and implementing preventative measures.

Adjacent · Match

Victim Advocate

SOC 21-1099.01

You've developed keen interviewing and assessment skills through taking patient history and conducting initial mental health assessments. You can use these abilities to offer vital support and resources to individuals navigating challenging personal circumstances as a victim advocate.

Adjacent · Match

Corporate Trainer

SOC 13-1151.00

You've experience in developing and conducting mental health training programs. You can apply these skills as a Corporate Trainer, designing and delivering engaging training programs to enhance employee skills, knowledge, and performance.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Mental Health Service Apprentice Course

Sheppard Air Force Base, TX
576hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 9 semester hours recommended in psychology, counseling, or social work

Topics · 8
  • Basic Psychology Principles
  • Mental Health Assessment Techniques
  • Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
  • Patient Documentation and Record Keeping
  • Aeromedical Evacuation Procedures
  • HIPAA and Patient Confidentiality
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)60%

    While experience includes substance abuse evaluations and counseling, additional study on specific state requirements for CADC certification, including supervised clinical hours and specific coursework, may be needed.

  • Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT)70%

    This role provides a broad scope of mental health support. Focus on refreshing knowledge of specific therapeutic techniques and documentation standards required for civilian mental health settings.

Recommended next · 04
  • Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)Adjacent
  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related fieldAdjacent
  • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)Adjacent
  • Certified Case Manager (CCM)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems like Epic or CernerOperations
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA)Comprehensive patient management softwareOperations
Mental Health Assessment Tools (e.g., PCL-5, GAD-7, PHQ-9)Standardized psychological testing platformsOperations
Air Force Drug Testing Program Information Management SystemDrug screening and reporting software platformsOperations
Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) patient handling equipment and protocolsEmergency medical transport equipment and protocolsMedical
Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Reporting SystemCase management systems for social services and family supportOperations
Traumatic Event Management System (TEAMS)Crisis management and intervention softwareOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 4C091 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.