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Live · Guide v1.061291 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 61291Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.61291.R.04
61291 · USAF · Enlisted

Services
Apprentice.

Air Force 61291 (Services Apprentice). 336 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 hours336DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Hospitality Management
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 61291 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 61291 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have08
  • 01
    Rapid PrioritizationProject Management, Task Management
  • 02
    Resource OptimizationBudget Management, Efficiency Improvement
  • 03
    Team SynchronizationTeam Leadership, Collaboration
  • 04
    Situational AwarenessProblem Solving, Adaptability
  • 05
    Point of Sale (POS) SystemsExperience with transaction processing and customer service
  • 06
    Inventory ManagementExperience with tracking, monitoring, and optimizing stock levels
  • 07
    Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Restaurant management software
  • 08
    Lodging Management System (LMS)Property management systems
To learn08

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

+SQL for data querying and analysis+Data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI+Project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)+Technical documentation and communication+Operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)+Basic networking concepts+Python programming basics+Selenium or similar test automation frameworks
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

Hotel Manager

$75K
High match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Revenue Management
  • Property Management Systems (PMS)
P.02

Restaurant Manager

$68K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Menu Development
  • Cost Control
P.03

Recreation Program Director

$62K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • CPR/First Aid Certification
  • Program Development
  • Grant Writing
P.04

Retail Store Manager

$65K
Good match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Loss Prevention
  • Visual Merchandising
P.05

Logistics Manager

$85K
Moderate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Supply Chain Management Certification
  • Data Analysis
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 61291 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Rapid Prioritization

As a Services Manager, you're constantly juggling the needs of various programs, from food service and lodging to recreation and mortuary affairs. You must quickly assess which areas require immediate attention based on demand, resource availability, and critical needs.

Transfers to

This translates directly to the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced civilian environment, ensuring critical tasks are addressed first and resources are allocated effectively.

S.02

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for maximizing the use of appropriated funds and resources across diverse service areas. This includes efficient allocation of personnel, supplies, and equipment to ensure optimal performance and customer satisfaction within budgetary constraints.

Transfers to

Your experience in optimizing resources translates to a strong ability to manage budgets, reduce waste, and improve efficiency in any organization. You can identify opportunities to streamline processes and maximize the value of available resources.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Your role requires coordinating and supervising diverse teams across multiple service areas, ensuring seamless operation and collaboration. You are adept at aligning individual efforts to achieve common goals and maintaining high levels of team performance.

Transfers to

This translates to a strong ability to lead and coordinate teams effectively, fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone is working towards shared objectives. You can motivate individuals and build cohesive teams that deliver exceptional results.

S.04

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of the overall operational environment, including customer needs, resource availability, and potential disruptions, is critical for effective service delivery. You must anticipate and respond to changing circumstances to ensure smooth operations.

Transfers to

Your keen sense of situational awareness means you can quickly assess complex situations, identify potential problems, and implement proactive solutions. You excel at anticipating challenges and adapting to changing environments, making you a valuable asset in any dynamic 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.

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3012.00

You've been managing diverse service operations, including food service, lodging, and recreation, making you well-equipped to oversee the maintenance, repair, and operation of buildings and grounds in a civilian setting. Your resource management skills are directly transferable.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've honed resource optimization and rapid prioritization skills managing diverse services. A Logistics Coordinator role lets you leverage this to manage the flow of goods, supplies, and information, ensuring efficient operations within an organization.

Adjacent · Match

Event Planner

SOC 13-1121.00

You've coordinated recreation and fitness programs, demonstrating your ability to plan and execute events. As an event planner, you’ll use your organizational and management skills to create memorable experiences for clients, managing all aspects from budgeting to vendor coordination.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Services Training

Fort Lee, VA
336hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Hospitality Management

Topics · 8
  • Food Service Management
  • Lodging Operations
  • Recreation Program Management
  • Fitness Center Operations
  • Mortuary Affairs Procedures
  • Services Readiness
  • Point of Sale (POS) Systems
  • Inventory Management
Partial coverage · 3
  • Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)70%

    Requires additional study on specific hospitality industry regulations, advanced guest service techniques, and revenue management strategies.

  • Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)60%

    Needs to focus on current food safety regulations specific to the civilian sector, advanced techniques in food handling, and possibly local health codes.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)40%

    Requires studying the PMBOK guide, formal project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall), and practicing project management tools and techniques in a civilian context.

Recommended next · 03
  • Certified Manager (CM)Adjacent
  • SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Adjacent
  • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

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

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Restaurant management software (e.g., Toast, Square for Restaurants)Operations
Lodging Management System (LMS)Property management systems (PMS) for hotels (e.g., Oracle Opera, Cloudbeds)Operations
Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS)Gym management software (e.g., Mindbody, Zen Planner)Operations
Mortuary Affairs Tracking System (MATS)Funeral home management softwareOperations
Services Readiness Assessment Tool (SRAT)Business continuity planning software / risk assessment platformsOperations
Government Purchase Card (GPC) Program Management toolsCorporate credit card management platforms (e.g., Concur, Expensify)Operations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 61291 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.