Research Scientist
$98KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific industry knowledge
- — Grant writing
Live · Guide v1.061B1 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 61B1Career Guide · Logistics · VWC.CG.61B1.R.04
61B1 · USAF · EnlistedResearch
Research
Psychologist.
Air Force 61B1 (Research Psychologist). 2,400 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$130K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours2,400DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 30 semester hours recommended for graduate-level coursework
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 61B1 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 61B1 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Advanced Statistical Analysis→ Statistical modeling and analysis using tools like R or Python's statsmodels.
- 02Research Methodology→ Designing and executing data-driven experiments and studies.
- 03Experimental Design→ A/B testing and multivariate testing methodologies.
- 04System Modeling→ Understanding and predicting complex system behavior.
- 05Psychological Operations Toolkit (e.g., sentiment analysis software)→ Social media analytics platforms (e.g., Brandwatch, Meltwater)
To learn06
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Python programming language+Machine learning algorithms (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow)+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for database querying+User research methodologies+UX design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch)
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.
Data Scientist
$120KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced machine learning
- — Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop)
Management Consultant
$130KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — MBA or relevant certifications
- — Industry-specific expertise
Market Research Analyst
$75KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — SPSS or SAS proficiency
- — Consumer behavior analysis
Psychological Operations Specialist (Contractor)
$110KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Security Clearance
- — Familiarity with current geopolitical issues
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 61B1 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a 61B1, you constructed experimental models and employed computer systems to analyze, depict, and display data and analysis results. This involved creating representations of complex systems to understand their behavior and predict outcomes.
Transfers to
Your ability to create and manipulate models translates directly to understanding and predicting the behavior of complex systems in various civilian industries. You can leverage this skill to simulate scenarios, optimize processes, and make informed decisions based on data-driven insights.
After-Action Analysis
You analyzed research findings and psychological operations measures of effectiveness to determine applications and improve performance. This involved systematically reviewing projects to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
Transfers to
Your experience in systematically reviewing projects and operations makes you well-suited to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions in civilian settings. You excel at extracting valuable insights from past experiences to drive future success.
Resource Optimization
You managed scientific programs, projects, and activities, including fiscal programming and monitoring contracts. This required you to efficiently allocate resources to achieve desired outcomes while adhering to budgetary constraints.
Transfers to
Your experience in managing scientific programs and projects has honed your resource optimization skills. You are adept at identifying the most efficient ways to allocate resources, minimize waste, and maximize productivity in any organization.
Pattern Recognition
You conducted behavioral analysis of foreign target audiences to support psychological operations initiatives. This required identifying patterns in behavior, motivations, and cultural factors to develop effective strategies.
Transfers to
Your ability to identify patterns in human behavior and cultural contexts is invaluable in various civilian sectors. You can apply this skill to market research, trend analysis, and strategic planning, enabling organizations to anticipate and adapt to changing environments.
Adversarial Thinking
In psychological operations, you analyzed theories and research findings to determine applications and developed new concepts, methods, and techniques to solve scientific and operational problems. This often required anticipating and countering potential opposition strategies.
Transfers to
Your ability to think critically and anticipate potential challenges is invaluable in any competitive environment. You can apply this skill to risk management, strategic planning, and negotiation, helping organizations to proactively address threats and capitalize on opportunities.
/ 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.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051You've been analyzing complex data sets, developing models, and interpreting results to inform decision-making. As a Data Scientist, you'll apply these skills to extract insights from data, build predictive models, and solve business problems.
Adjacent · MatchMarket Research Analyst
SOC 13-1161Your experience in conducting behavioral analysis and understanding target audiences directly translates to market research. You've been assessing motivations and cultural factors, which you can now apply to understand consumer behavior and market trends.
Adjacent · MatchManagement Consultant
SOC 13-1111You've managed programs, projects, and activities, developed new concepts, and provided recommendations to leadership. As a Management Consultant, you'll leverage these skills to help organizations improve their performance, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst (Private Sector)
SOC 19-3099You've been analyzing information to determine applications, anticipate potential opposition strategies and counter threats. As an Intelligence Analyst, you will use the very same skills to conduct due diligence, perform risk assessments and forecast trends.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Graduate Education Program
Various Universities2,400hHours
104wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 30 semester hours recommended for graduate-level coursework
Topics · 7
- Advanced Statistical Analysis
- Research Methodology
- Experimental Design
- Behavioral Science Theories
- Psychological Operations Principles
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Technical Writing and Reporting
Partial coverage · 3
- Project Management Professional (PMP)60%
Formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), specific PMBOK Guide knowledge areas, and practical application of project management tools and techniques.
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA)70%
In-depth knowledge of research regulations, compliance, financial management of research grants, and specific institutional review board (IRB) processes. Focus on grant writing and administration specific to civilian research institutions.
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)30%
If research focuses on healthcare, gaps include understanding of healthcare-specific IT systems, HIPAA compliance, healthcare data standards (HL7, FHIR), and clinical workflows. Requires significant additional study of the healthcare IT landscape.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)Adjacent
- Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) | High-performance computing clusters (e.g., AWS HPC, Azure HPC) | Operations |
| Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) Modeling and Simulation Tools | Commercial simulation software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, AnyLogic) | Operations |
| Automated Message Handling System (AMHS) | Secure email and messaging platforms (e.g., ProtonMail, secure enterprise messaging apps) | Operations |
| Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) | High-speed research networks (e.g., Internet2, National LambdaRail) | Networking |
| Psychological Operations Toolkit (e.g., sentiment analysis software) | Social media analytics platforms (e.g., Brandwatch, Meltwater) | Operations |
| Joint Targeting Toolbox (JTT) | Geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) | Operations |
| DCGS-AF (Distributed Common Ground System - Air Force) | Data analytics platforms (e.g. Splunk, Palantir) | Networking |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 61B1 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.