Air Traffic Controller
$138KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA certification
Live · Guide v1.01C271 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 1C271Career Guide · Operations · Security · VWC.CG.1C271.R.04
1C271 · USAF · EnlistedCombat
Combat
Controller.
Air Force 1C271 (Combat Controller). 1,400 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$138K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,400DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 20 semester hours recommended
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1C271 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 1C271 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have10
- 01Air Traffic Control→ Understanding of networked systems and communication protocols
- 02Reconnaissance Operations→ Threat assessment and vulnerability analysis skills
- 03Terminal Control→ Ability to manage and prioritize tasks in high-pressure environments
- 04Operating advanced technologies (ground based sensors and UAS)→ Experience with real-time data processing and analysis
- 05Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment→ Familiarity with location-based data and spatial analysis
- 06Situational Awareness→ Monitoring system performance and identifying potential problems
- 07Rapid Prioritization→ Responding to security incidents and managing critical infrastructure
- 08Team Synchronization→ Collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement and maintain systems
- 09Degraded-Mode Operations→ Maintaining systems during outages or other disruptions
- 10Resource Optimization→ Managing cloud resources and optimizing costs
To learn10
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux server administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)+Containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)+Monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)+Cloud networking concepts (VPCs, subnets, routing)+Cloud security best practices+Network security principles (firewalls, intrusion detection)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+Systems design and analysis
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.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician
$75KHigh match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Part 107 certification
- — Specific UAS platform training
Emergency Management Specialist
$78KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Emergency management certifications (e.g., FEMA)
- — HAZMAT training
Intelligence Analyst
$85KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Proficiency in specific intelligence analysis software
- — Civilian intelligence community clearance (if applicable)
Logistics Manager
$90KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification
- — Experience with specific logistics software (e.g., SAP)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1C271 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
This role demands constant vigilance and awareness of the surrounding environment, including air traffic, potential threats, and changing battlefield conditions. Personnel must maintain a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment to make informed decisions.
Transfers to
The ability to quickly assess a dynamic environment, understand its key elements, and anticipate potential changes translates to many civilian roles. It's about staying ahead of the curve and making proactive decisions.
Rapid Prioritization
In a fast-paced combat environment, prioritizing tasks is crucial. This role involves quickly assessing the urgency and importance of various tasks, such as controlling air traffic, targeting threats, and coordinating with different units, to allocate resources effectively.
Transfers to
The capability to rapidly assess and prioritize competing demands, especially under pressure, is highly valued in many industries. It's about making sound judgments in time-sensitive situations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
Team Synchronization
This role requires seamless coordination with various teams, including aircrews, ground forces, and other support elements. Ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal is essential for mission success.
Transfers to
The skill of coordinating diverse teams and ensuring seamless collaboration is essential for project success. It's about fostering effective communication, resolving conflicts, and building a shared understanding among team members.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Operating in forward areas means dealing with limited resources, unreliable communications, and potential equipment failures. This role requires the ability to adapt to challenging circumstances, troubleshoot problems, and maintain operational effectiveness even when things aren't working perfectly.
Transfers to
The ability to maintain composure and effectiveness in challenging circumstances is valuable in unpredictable situations. It's about thinking creatively, finding solutions, and ensuring continuity of operations.
Resource Optimization
Forward operating locations often have limited resources, making it crucial to use them efficiently. This role involves making the most of available personnel, equipment, and supplies to achieve mission objectives.
Transfers to
Using the best available resources to achieve maximum efficiency. It's about finding cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or effectiveness.
/ 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.
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to maintain composure and command during emergencies, coordinating multiple assets under high stress. This role requires similar skills in planning for and responding to natural disasters and other crises, using your ability to quickly assess situations, prioritize actions, and maintain calm under pressure to protect communities.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been in charge of coordinating the movement of resources and personnel under pressure, and have managed the logistical challenges of austere forward operating bases. This role asks you to analyze and improve supply chain operations, using your ability to assess complex systems and optimize processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Adjacent · MatchAirfield Operations Specialist
SOC 53-2011.00You're intimately familiar with airfield operations, air traffic control procedures, and the safety protocols involved in managing air traffic in challenging environments. This role requires similar skills in coordinating ground support, ensuring airfield safety, and maintaining compliance with regulations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Combat Control Training Program
Pope Army Airfield, NC1,400hHours
35wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 20 semester hours recommended
Topics · 8
- Air Traffic Control
- Close Air Support
- Reconnaissance Operations
- Small Unit Tactics
- Airfield Survey and Assessment
- Special Operations
- Demolitions
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
Partial coverage · 2
- FAA Air Traffic Controller60%
Differences in FAA regulations, procedures, and equipment. Study FAA manuals and undergo specific ATC training.
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)30%
In depth knowledge of fire protection engineering principles, hazard assessment, and specific code requirements. Requires focused study on NFPA standards and fire protection design.
Recommended next · 04
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107)Adjacent
- Certified Military Airport Safety Inspector (CMAASI)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Center | Mobile air traffic control tower | Operations |
| AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack Radio | Harris Corporation Falcon III series radio | Operations |
| Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) | Commercial GPS-based landing systems | Operations |
| Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) | DJI Matrice series drones | Aviation |
| Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) | Civilian weather monitoring and prediction software/hardware such as Baron Services Lynx | Operations |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) Military User Equipment (MUE) | Trimble GPS surveying equipment | Operations |
| Night Vision Goggles (NVG) | FLIR thermal imaging systems | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1C271 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.