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1A831 Career Guide

Air Force

1A831: Airborne Cryptologic Linguist

Career transition guide for Air Force Airborne Cryptologic Linguist (1A831)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1A831 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Cryptologic Linguist

$92K
High matchGrowing demand

Information Security Analyst

$98K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., Security+, CISSP)Familiarity with security frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)

Technical Writer

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Stronger writing and editing skillsKnowledge of specific industry (e.g., software, engineering)

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control certificationOn-the-job training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

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.

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.

Rapid Prioritization

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Non-Obvious Career Matches

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.

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.

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.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Signals Intelligence Training, Goodfellow AFB, TX

1,200 training hours30 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • 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

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

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

CompTIA Security+60% covered

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 Certifications

Certified Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) ProfessionalCertified Cryptologic TechnicianProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

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

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