1A872 Career Guide
1A872: Airborne ISR Operator
Career transition guide for Air Force Airborne ISR Operator (1A872)
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Top civilian roles for 1A872 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Intelligence Analyst
Skills to develop:
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Analyst
Skills to develop:
Air Traffic Controller
Skills to develop:
Technical Support Specialist
Skills to develop:
Cybersecurity Analyst
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 1A872 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining constant awareness of air, ground, and maritime operations while processing and disseminating critical ISR data in real-time, adapting to rapidly changing conditions and threats.
The ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure, crucial for roles requiring quick adaptation and proactive problem-solving.
Rapid Prioritization
Quickly assessing and prioritizing incoming intelligence data, identifying critical threats, and disseminating information to relevant parties in a timely manner under high-stress conditions.
The capability to efficiently evaluate and rank tasks or information based on their urgency and importance, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed promptly and effectively.
System Modeling
Understanding and operating complex ISR systems, including sensors, communication equipment, and data processing tools, to collect, analyze, and distribute intelligence information effectively.
The ability to comprehend and utilize complex systems, identify the relationships among their components, and optimize their performance to achieve desired outcomes.
After-Action Analysis
Conducting thorough post-mission analysis of ISR data and operational procedures to identify areas for improvement, enhance future mission planning, and optimize intelligence gathering efforts.
The capacity to systematically review past events or projects, identify key successes and failures, and develop actionable recommendations for future improvement.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been honing your situational awareness and rapid prioritization skills in high-stakes environments, making you exceptionally well-prepared to coordinate responses to natural disasters and other emergencies. Your experience managing complex systems and disseminating critical information quickly translates directly to this role.
Financial Risk Analyst
SOC 13-2051.00Your experience analyzing complex data sets and identifying potential threats translates seamlessly into the financial sector. You've been trained to anticipate problems and proactively mitigate risks, which are critical skills for protecting investments and ensuring financial stability.
Intelligence Analyst (Private Sector)
SOC 13-2011.00You've been immersed in the world of intelligence, and your expertise in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information is highly valuable to private companies. You're adept at identifying threats and providing actionable intelligence to protect assets and maintain a competitive advantage.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operator Training, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Topics Covered
- •Airborne ISR Systems Operation
- •Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Collection and Analysis
- •Electronic Warfare Principles
- •Mission Planning and Coordination
- •Aircrew Procedures and Safety
- •Threat Warning and Dissemination
- •Communication Security (COMSEC) Procedures
- •In-flight Data Analysis and Reporting
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of all domains of information security, especially those related to policy, governance, and risk management. Also requires 5 years of experience in the field.
Requires study of specific security technologies and vendor-neutral best practices, incident response, and risk management.
Requires study of wireless networking technologies, standards, and security protocols.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Distributed Common Ground System-Air Force (DCGS-AF) | Cloud-based data analytics platforms (e.g., Palantir, AWS GovCloud) |
| Senior Year Electro-optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS) | High-resolution satellite imagery analysis software (e.g., Google Earth Engine, ENVI) |
| Electromagnetic Support (ES) Systems (e.g., ALQ-210) | Spectrum analyzer and signal intelligence software (e.g., Rohde & Schwarz, Keysight) |
| Tactical Data Links (e.g., Link 16) | Military grade secured communication systems |
| Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) | High-accuracy GPS devices (e.g., Garmin, Trimble) with mapping software |
| Airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) collection systems | Wireless network monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, Kismet) |
| Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) | Secure government communication networks and encrypted collaboration platforms |
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