New Cohort Starts:

Donate
Live · Guide v1.01A831 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/1A831
USAF · 1A831Career Guide · Cyber · Security · VWC.CG.1A831.R.04
1A831 · USAF · Enlisted

Airborne Cryptologic
Linguist.

Air Force 1A831 (Airborne Cryptologic Linguist). 1,200 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$135K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours1,200DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended
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 1A831 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 1A831 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have12
  • 01
    Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) PrinciplesNetwork security principles, threat intelligence
  • 02
    Voice Communication Interception TechniquesNetwork traffic analysis, packet capture
  • 03
    Cryptologic Translation and AnalysisData analysis, anomaly detection
  • 04
    Airborne Mission PlanningProject planning, resource allocation
  • 05
    Aircrew Procedures and SafetyRisk management, compliance
  • 06
    Situational AwarenessReal-time threat detection and response
  • 07
    Rapid PrioritizationIncident triage, resource management
  • 08
    Procedural ComplianceSecurity policy enforcement, regulatory adherence
  • 09
    Team SynchronizationCollaboration with security teams, cross-functional communication
  • 10
    After-Action AnalysisPost-incident analysis, continuous improvement
  • 11
    Tactical Data Links (e.g., Link 16)Real-time data sharing platforms, collaborative mapping software
  • 12
    Mission Planning Software (e.g., JMPS)Aviation flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight)
To learn08

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

+SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)+Intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS)+Vulnerability scanning tools (e.g., Nessus, Qualys)+Security frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) basics+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
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

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High match
High demand
P.02

Cryptologic Linguist

$92K
High match
Growing demand
P.03

Information Security Analyst

$98K
Good match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., Security+, CISSP)
  • Familiarity with security frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)
P.04

Technical Writer

$75K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Stronger writing and editing skills
  • Knowledge of specific industry (e.g., software, engineering)
P.05

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • FAA Air Traffic Control certification
  • On-the-job training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 1A831 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a constant understanding of the dynamic battlefield, including air, ground, and maritime operations, and providing real-time threat warnings to aircrews and other agencies.

Transfers to

The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential risks, and make informed decisions based on available information, applicable in high-pressure and rapidly changing situations.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing the significance of intercepted communications, identifying critical intelligence, and disseminating actionable information to relevant parties under time-sensitive conditions.

Transfers to

The capacity to swiftly evaluate incoming data, discern the most important tasks or issues, and allocate resources accordingly to meet deadlines and achieve objectives efficiently.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

Adhering strictly to established protocols for handling classified material, operating mission equipment, and performing aircrew duties to ensure accuracy, security, and mission effectiveness.

Transfers to

The discipline to follow established guidelines, regulations, and standard operating procedures meticulously to maintain quality control, ensure safety, and mitigate risks in regulated environments.

S.04

Team Synchronization

Coordinating closely with airborne, ground, and maritime agencies to distribute threat information, relay operational data, and manage mission activities effectively as part of a cohesive team.

Transfers to

The ability to work seamlessly with diverse teams, communicating clearly, coordinating efforts, and aligning individual contributions to achieve common goals and optimize collective performance.

S.05

After-Action Analysis

Compiling operational data for mission reports, analyzing analytical methods and procedures, and identifying areas for improvement to maximize operational effectiveness in future missions.

Transfers to

The capability to systematically review past performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and implement corrective actions to enhance future outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

/ 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.

Intelligence Analyst (Financial Crimes)

SOC 13-2099

You've been trained to identify patterns in communication and data that reveal critical information. As a Financial Crimes Analyst, you can use those skills to detect fraudulent transactions, money laundering schemes, and other illicit activities.

Adjacent · Match

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

Your experience in maintaining situational awareness and coordinating with various agencies makes you well-suited for emergency management. You've honed your ability to quickly assess threats, communicate effectively, and manage resources under pressure – all critical skills in disaster response and preparedness.

Adjacent · Match

Cybersecurity Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You've developed expertise in identifying and analyzing communication patterns. That ability translates well into cybersecurity, where you'll be able to recognize and respond to cyber threats, protect sensitive information, and maintain the security of networks and systems.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Signals Intelligence Training

Goodfellow AFB, TX
1,200hHours
30wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics · 8
  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Principles
  • Voice Communication Interception Techniques
  • Cryptologic Translation and Analysis
  • Airborne Mission Planning
  • Aircrew Procedures and Safety
  • SIGINT Systems Operation & Maintenance
  • Threat Warning and Situational Awareness
  • Air Tasking Order (ATO) Development
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40%

    Requires studying cybersecurity governance, risk management, compliance, and software development security, which are not explicitly covered in the military job description.

  • CompTIA Security+60%

    Requires additional study in areas like network security, cryptography, and some aspects of compliance regulations that are not explicitly detailed in the job description.

Recommended next · 03
  • Certified Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) ProfessionalAdjacent
  • Certified Cryptologic TechnicianAdjacent
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

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

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Distributed Common Ground System-Air Force (DCGS-AF)Cloud-based data analytics platformsNetworking
Airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) collection systemsCommercial spectrum analyzers and signal monitoring equipmentSignals
Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS)Secure video conferencing and messaging platforms (e.g., Signal, Wire)Networking
National Security Agency (NSA) Cryptologic SystemsCybersecurity threat intelligence platformsOperations
Tactical Data Links (e.g., Link 16)Real-time data sharing platforms (e.g., collaborative mapping software)Operations
Mission Planning Software (e.g., JMPS)Aviation flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight)Operations
Automated Information System (AIS) used for maritime domain awarenessVessel tracking and maritime intelligence platformsOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 1A831 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.