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Live · Guide v1.091430 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 91430Career Guide · Medical · VWC.CG.91430.R.04
91430 · USAF · Enlisted

Mental Health Service
Apprentice.

Air Force 91430 (Mental Health Service Apprentice). 672 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$65K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours672DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in behavioral sciences
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 91430 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 91430 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05
  • 01
    Experience with AHLTA, CHCS, MHS GENESISExperience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner) and Hospital Information Systems (HIS)
  • 02
    Rapid PrioritizationTriage and resolve critical issues efficiently
  • 03
    Situational AwarenessUnderstand the broader context of data and its implications
  • 04
    Procedural ComplianceAdhering to established protocols and regulations
  • 05
    Resource OptimizationStrategically allocating resources
To learn06

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

+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+IT support ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, ServiceNow)+Help desk troubleshooting techniques+Project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)+Stakeholder management and communication
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
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or related field
  • State licensure as an LMHC, LPC, or similar
P.02

Social Worker

$60K
Good match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW)
  • State license (LCSW or similar)
  • Knowledge of social work ethics and practices
P.03

Substance Abuse Counselor

$55K
High match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) certification
  • Knowledge of addiction treatment methodologies
P.04

Human Resources Specialist

$62K
Moderate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification
  • Knowledge of HR laws and regulations
  • Experience with employee assistance programs (EAPs)
P.05

Psychometrician

$58K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Psychology or related field
  • Certification in psychometric testing (if required by employer)
  • Experience with specific psychological test instruments
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 91430 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing patient needs and mental states, particularly in crisis situations, to determine who needs immediate attention and the level of intervention required.

Transfers to

The ability to rapidly assess situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources accordingly, ensuring that the most pressing needs are addressed first.

S.02

Situational Awareness

Constantly monitoring patient behavior, environmental factors, and potential triggers to anticipate and prevent crises or escalations in a mental health setting.

Transfers to

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding environment, including potential risks and opportunities, to make informed decisions and take proactive measures.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict protocols for patient care, documentation, and confidentiality, ensuring all actions are in accordance with legal and ethical standards.

Transfers to

Meticulously following established procedures and regulations to maintain accuracy, consistency, and compliance in all tasks.

S.04

Resource Optimization

Effectively managing mental health service resources, including personnel, equipment, and funding, to maximize the impact of treatment and support programs.

Transfers to

Strategically allocating resources, such as time, money, and personnel, to achieve the best possible outcomes with the available assets.

/ 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.

Victim Advocate

SOC 21-1099.00

You've been observing, interviewing, and reporting on patient mental states and safety within the military. As a Victim Advocate, you'll apply similar skills by providing support, resources, and advocacy for individuals who have experienced trauma or abuse. Your experience with mental health treatment plans will allow you to understand the unique needs of victims, and your resource optimization experience will allow you to help victims find the best options available.

Adjacent · Match

Human Resources Specialist

SOC 13-1071.00

You're adept at resource management, training program development, and understanding the needs of individuals within a structured environment. As an HR Specialist, you'll apply these skills by recruiting, screening, and interviewing job applicants; administering employee benefits; and addressing employee relations issues. Your experience in mental health allows you to see people's needs and address them directly, ensuring everyone works together.

Adjacent · Match

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You have experience working in roles where you are responsible for assessing procedures, collecting data, and creating reports. As a Compliance Officer, you will use these same skills to ensure that organizations adhere to internal policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements. Your mental health background gives you a deeper understanding of policy impacts.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Mental Health Service Apprentice Course

Sheppard Air Force Base, TX
672hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 9 semester hours recommended in behavioral sciences

Topics · 8
  • Basic Mental Health Principles
  • Psychological Testing Administration and Scoring
  • Clinical Interviewing Techniques
  • Substance Abuse Awareness and Intervention
  • Treatment Plan Assistance
  • Patient Care Documentation
  • Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
  • Mental Health Service Administration
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)60%

    Specific state regulations and clinical supervision requirements.

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)40%

    Formal medical assisting education, phlebotomy, injections.

Recommended next · 03
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Adjacent
  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Social WorkAdjacent
  • Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

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

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)Operations
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Hospital Information Systems (HIS)Operations
Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) SystemEmergency Medical Transport SystemsMedical
Air Force Drug Testing ProgramWorkplace Drug Screening ProgramsOperations
Military Health System (MHS) GENESISNext Generation Electronic Health Records (EHR) systemsOperations
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)Human Resources and Benefits Management SystemsOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 91430 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.