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Live · Guide v1.091490 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 91490Career Guide · Medical · VWC.CG.91490.R.04
91490 · USAF · Enlisted

Mental Health Service
Journeyman.

Air Force 91490 (Mental Health Service Journeyman). 672 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $50K–$75K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours672DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in behavioral sciences
Tech roles3mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 3

Industry tech roles your 91490 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 91490 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05
  • 01
    Patient Documentation and Record KeepingDatabase Management
  • 02
    Psychological Testing Administration and ScoringData Analysis
  • 03
    Mental Health Service Administration and Resource ManagementProject Management
  • 04
    Procedural ComplianceCompliance and Security Protocols
  • 05
    After-Action AnalysisProcess Improvement
To learn05

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

+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI+HIPAA compliance and data security+IT support ticketing systems (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow)+Basic scripting (e.g., Python) for automation
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, Psychology, or related field
  • State licensure as an LMHC or equivalent
P.02

Social Worker

$60K
Good match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Master's degree in Social Work (MSW)
  • State licensure (LMSW or LCSW)
  • Clinical experience (depending on state requirements)
P.03

Substance Abuse Counselor

$50K
Good match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor (e.g., CADC)
  • Knowledge of addiction treatment modalities
  • Understanding of relevant laws and ethics
P.04

Human Resources Specialist

$62K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field
  • SHRM-CP or similar HR certification
  • Knowledge of employment law
P.05

Healthcare Administrator

$75K
Moderate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration
  • Understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance
  • Project management skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 91490 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

Constantly monitoring patient behavior and progress, recognizing subtle changes in mental state, and anticipating potential crises like self-harm or aggression.

Transfers to

Maintaining a high level of vigilance, quickly assessing dynamic situations, and understanding the potential implications of subtle cues or changes in the environment.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing the urgency of patient needs, especially in crisis situations, and determining the order in which to address multiple demands or requests.

Transfers to

Efficiently triaging tasks based on their importance and time sensitivity, particularly when facing competing demands and limited resources.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict protocols and regulations when administering psychological tests, documenting patient care, and handling sensitive information to maintain patient confidentiality and legal compliance.

Transfers to

Following established procedures and guidelines with precision and accuracy, ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements.

S.04

Team Synchronization

Collaborating with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans, ensuring coordinated care and effective communication.

Transfers to

Working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, coordinating efforts, and maintaining open communication to achieve shared goals and optimal outcomes.

S.05

After-Action Analysis

Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment plans and mental health programs, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing adjustments based on data and feedback.

Transfers to

Analyzing past performance, identifying lessons learned, and implementing changes to improve future outcomes and operational efficiency.

/ 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.

Corporate Wellness Program Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've been managing mental health service activities. You already have experience in planning, coordinating, and implementing health programs. Corporate wellness programs need someone with your understanding of mental health, prevention, and resource management to foster a healthy and productive work environment.

Adjacent · Match

Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations Focus)

SOC 13-1071.00

You've been interviewing patients, assessing their needs, and providing support. Your skills in conflict resolution, understanding human behavior, and maintaining confidentiality are directly transferable to managing employee relations and resolving workplace issues.

Adjacent · Match

Victim Advocate

SOC 21-1099.00

You've been involved in substance abuse prevention, counseling, and crisis intervention. Your experience in providing support, resources, and advocacy to vulnerable individuals makes you well-suited to assist victims of crime or abuse in navigating the legal and social services systems.

Adjacent · Match

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been meticulously following procedures, documenting patient care, and ensuring regulatory compliance in the mental health field. Your attention to detail and commitment to ethical standards are highly valuable in ensuring organizations adhere to laws and regulations in various industries.

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 · 7
  • Basic Counseling Techniques
  • Psychological Testing Administration and Scoring
  • Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
  • Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention
  • Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
  • Patient Documentation and Record Keeping
  • Mental Health Service Administration and Resource Management
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)60%

    Specific state requirements for supervised clinical hours and passing the IC&RC exam.

  • Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT)70%

    May need to demonstrate specific competencies through work experience or additional training modules.

Recommended next · 05
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Adjacent
  • Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)Adjacent
  • Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW)Adjacent
  • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)Adjacent
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)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 like Epic or CernerOperations
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Hospital information systems (HIS)Operations
Mental Health Assessment Tools (e.g., PCL-5, GAD-7, PHQ-9)Standardized psychological testing platforms and toolsOperations
Air Force Drug Testing Program Information Management SystemLaboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) with chain of custody trackingOperations
Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Patient Tracking SystemsEmergency medical transport patient management softwareMedical
Family Advocacy Program (FAP) databaseCase management software for social services, such as Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)Data
/ Translator · Live

Translate 91490 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.