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1N151 Career Guide

Air Force

1N151: Imagery Analyst

Career transition guide for Air Force Imagery Analyst (1N151)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1N151 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Geospatial Analyst

$88K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certification

Remote Sensing Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific remote sensing software trainingCivilian drone operation certification (Part 107)

Security Analyst

$90K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP)

Imagery Scientist

$95K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced degree in Remote Sensing or related fieldResearch experienceProficiency in scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, IDL)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1N151 training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

1N151s analyze multisensor imagery to identify patterns in military activities, equipment deployment, and infrastructure, discerning meaningful insights from complex visual data.

This skill translates to the ability to identify trends, anomalies, and relationships within large datasets or visual information, crucial for strategic decision-making and problem-solving.

Situational Awareness

1N151s maintain a high level of situational awareness by constantly monitoring imagery and intelligence feeds to understand the operational environment, potential threats, and the status of friendly forces.

This translates to the capacity to quickly grasp the complexities of dynamic situations, assess risks, and make informed decisions based on real-time information, essential in high-pressure environments.

After-Action Analysis

1N151s participate in after-action analysis, reviewing mission outcomes, assessing the effectiveness of imagery analysis, and identifying areas for improvement in future operations.

This skill translates to a strong capability in process improvement, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It involves systematically reviewing past performance to identify lessons learned and implement changes for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

Procedural Compliance

1N151s follow established protocols and procedures for imagery analysis, data handling, and reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to security regulations.

This emphasizes the ability to consistently adhere to established guidelines, regulations, and quality control measures, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and compliance in various professional settings.

Rapid Prioritization

1N151s must quickly prioritize targets, tasks, and information based on their importance to the mission, operational tempo, and potential impact on strategic objectives.

This translates to the ability to quickly assess the urgency and importance of tasks, allocate resources effectively, and make timely decisions under pressure, crucial for managing competing demands and meeting deadlines.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Insurance Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-1031

You've been trained to scrutinize imagery for hidden details and patterns. Your analytical skills in identifying anomalies in military targets directly translate to detecting fraudulent claims and uncovering inconsistencies in insurance investigations. You're adept at piecing together fragmented information to reveal the truth.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161

Your experience in analyzing imagery and intelligence data to understand enemy activities translates perfectly to market research. You're skilled at identifying trends, understanding competitive landscapes, and predicting future market behaviors based on your observations and analytical insights. You'll be able to provide valuable strategic guidance to companies.

Financial Analyst

SOC 13-2051

You're used to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Your skills in assessing potential threats and predicting enemy actions are very similar to identifying risks and opportunities in financial markets. You can leverage your analytical abilities to evaluate investments, manage portfolios, and provide financial advice.

Urban Planner

SOC 17-3027

You’re adept at analyzing terrain and infrastructure from a top-down perspective. As an urban planner, you can use these skills to assess land use, transportation networks, and environmental factors to create sustainable and efficient urban environments. You'll be applying your spatial reasoning and analytical abilities to shape communities.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Imagery Analyst Apprentice Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Imagery Interpretation
  • Geospatial Analysis
  • Remote Sensing Principles
  • Exploitation of Multi-spectral Imagery
  • Target Identification
  • Damage Assessment
  • Geographic Coordinate Systems
  • Reporting and Briefing

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Geospatial Technologist (CGT)65% covered

Requires knowledge of GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), advanced cartography, spatial databases, and photogrammetry beyond basic imagery interpretation.

Remote Sensing Professional Certification (RSP)50% covered

Need to study advanced remote sensing physics, sensor calibration, atmospheric correction techniques, and specific remote sensing applications beyond military operations (e.g., environmental monitoring, urban planning).

Recommended Next Certifications

Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)Certified Intelligence Professional (CIP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
SOCET GXP (BAE Systems)Geospatial image processing software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS, ENVI)
ENVI (Environment for Visualizing Images)Remote sensing and image analysis software (e.g., PCI Geomatica, ERDAS IMAGINE)
NSG (National System for Geospatial Intelligence)Cloud-based geospatial data platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine, CARTO)
CEDALIONData warehousing and analysis platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Amazon Redshift)
DCGS-AF (Distributed Common Ground System - Air Force)Big data analytics platforms (e.g., Palantir, Splunk)
FMV (Full Motion Video) exploitation tools used with UAVsVideo analytics platforms (e.g., BriefCam, Milestone Systems)
ArcGISGeographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g. QGIS, MapInfo)

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