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1C291 Career Guide

Air Force

1C291: Special Tactics Airman

Career transition guide for Air Force Special Tactics Airman (1C291)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1C291 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Air Traffic Controller

$138K
High matchHigh demand

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician/Pilot

$75K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Part 107 certificationSpecific UAS platform training

Emergency Management Specialist

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

HAZMAT certificationFEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific intelligence analysis software (e.g., Palantir)Enhanced analytical skillset certifications

Construction Surveyor

$68K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civil Engineering knowledgeSurveying certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1C291 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Airfield operations under combat conditions demand constant vigilance and the ability to anticipate threats, maintain airspace control, and adapt to rapidly changing battlefield scenarios. You are responsible for the safety of all aircraft in your airspace.

This translates directly into an acute awareness of your surroundings and the ability to make decisions based on real-time information, a valuable asset in high-pressure civilian environments.

Rapid Prioritization

In situations involving close air support, combat search and rescue, or emergency resupply, you are the critical link between the ground commander and the air assets, triaging needs and dispatching resources in the most effective way.

You can quickly assess needs, allocate resources, and execute plans under duress, a skill highly valued in dynamic and unpredictable civilian fields.

Team Synchronization

As an Airfield Management professional, you orchestrate the efforts of pilots, ground crews, medical personnel, and supporting arms to ensure coordinated actions during high-stakes operations.

You're adept at integrating diverse teams, coordinating efforts, and maintaining momentum toward common goals, a skill essential for success in complex civilian organizations.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Operating in austere conditions, you can maintain vital communications and navigation systems even when primary systems fail. Your ability to work with limited resources ensures mission success in spite of the odds.

You are resourceful and able to innovate, keep systems running under challenging conditions, and find solutions when resources are limited; valuable in entrepreneurial environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been orchestrating complex operations in dynamic and dangerous environments. Your ability to assess threats, prioritize resources, and lead teams during crises makes you an ideal candidate for managing emergency response efforts at the local, state, or federal level.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been responsible for coordinating the movement of personnel and equipment in support of combat operations. Your experience in planning, organizing, and executing complex logistical operations translates directly to managing supply chains and distribution networks in the civilian sector.

Airspace System Inspection Specialist

SOC 17-3021.00

You've been intimately involved with maintaining the safety and efficiency of airspace. Your knowledge of air traffic control procedures, navigational aids, and aviation regulations makes you a perfect fit for ensuring compliance and identifying potential hazards in civilian airspace.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Special Warfare Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland

1,700 training hours40 weeksUp to 18 semester hours recommended in military science, air traffic control, and emergency medical services

Topics Covered

  • Air Traffic Control Fundamentals
  • Close Air Support Procedures
  • Reconnaissance and Surveillance Techniques
  • Advanced Weapons and Tactics
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training
  • Parachute Operations
  • Combat Medical Skills
  • Demolitions

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist60% covered

Differences in FAA regulations, procedures, and equipment. Need to study FAA Order JO 7110.65 and related guidance.

Certified Fire Control Technician (CFCT)40% covered

Requires study of specific fire control systems, ballistics, and safety procedures relevant to civilian applications like pyrotechnics or special effects.

Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107)70% covered

Requires knowledge of FAA regulations, airspace, weather, and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operations specific to civilian applications. Must pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) CertificationCertified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TPN-19 Landing Control CentralMobile air traffic control tower
AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack RadioMotorola MOTOTRBO professional digital two-way radio system
Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (e.g., DAGR)Trimble GPS handheld receiver
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (e.g., RQ-11 Raven)DJI Matrice series drones
Joint Fires Observer (JFO) equipment (Laser Target Designators)Laser rangefinder binoculars
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems
Night Vision Goggles (NVGs)FLIR night vision monocular

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