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Live · Guide v1.01N191 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262027 Cohort · Applications Open
USAF · 1N191Career Guide · Intelligence · VWC.CG.1N191.R.04
1N191 · USAF · Enlisted

Imagery
Analyst.

Air Force 1N191 (Imagery Analyst). 960 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $70K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours960DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Geography, Remote Sensing, or Intelligence Studies (estimated)
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial

This career guide was generated using AI analysis of military job code data. Salary figures, certification coverage percentages, and career matches are estimates — verify with official sources before making career decisions.

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 1N191 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 1N191 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have12
  • 01
    Imagery Interpretation→ Data Visualization
  • 02
    Geospatial Analysis→ Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • 03
    Remote Sensing Principles→ Data Collection and Analysis
  • 04
    Target Identification→ Pattern Recognition
  • 05
    Photogrammetry→ Data Measurement and Accuracy
  • 06
    Multi-spectral Imagery Analysis→ Multi-dimensional Data Analysis
  • 07
    Exploitation Software (e.g., SOCET GXP)→ Data Processing and Exploitation
  • 08
    Intelligence Reporting→ Report Writing and Communication
  • 09
    Pattern Recognition→ Anomaly Detection
  • 10
    Situational Awareness→ Risk Assessment
  • 11
    Rapid Prioritization→ Incident Response
  • 12
    After-Action Analysis→ Process Improvement
To learn08

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Python pandas and matplotlib for data analysis and visualization+Data warehousing concepts and tools like Apache Hadoop and Spark+ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes and tools+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) basics+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with tools like Terraform or CloudFormation+Cybersecurity fundamentals and threat analysis+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Splunk
How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, remote-first 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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Geospatial Intelligence Analyst

$95K
High match
High demand
P.02

Remote Sensing Analyst

$88K
High match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • — GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
  • — Specific remote sensing software certifications (e.g., ENVI)
P.03

Intelligence Analyst

$82K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — Familiarity with specific intelligence analysis tools (e.g., Palantir)
  • — Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques
P.04

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician

$70K
Moderate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • — FAA Part 107 certification
  • — Specific UAS platform training
P.05

Geographer

$75K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • — Advanced coursework or certification in geography
  • — Stronger qualitative geographic skills
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 1N191 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Pattern Recognition

Analyzing multisensor imagery to identify military facilities, equipment, and activities, discerning subtle indicators amidst complex visual data.

Transfers to

Identifying meaningful trends and anomalies in large datasets or complex systems, enabling proactive decision-making and problem-solving.

S.02

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment through continuous monitoring of imagery and intelligence data to support ongoing missions.

Transfers to

Quickly grasping the dynamics of a complex situation, anticipating potential issues, and adapting strategies to changing circumstances.

S.03

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing the significance of various targets and threats identified in imagery to determine collection priorities and resource allocation.

Transfers to

Swiftly evaluating competing demands and focusing efforts on the most critical tasks or issues to maximize efficiency and impact.

S.04

After-Action Analysis

Preparing damage assessment reports and analyzing the effectiveness of weapons effects based on imagery to refine future targeting strategies.

Transfers to

Evaluating the outcomes of past actions to identify lessons learned, improve processes, and enhance future performance.

/ 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.

Financial Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2011

You've been trained to dissect complex visual data, identify patterns, and assess the significance of potential threats. Now, apply those skills to identify fraudulent financial activity by analyzing complex financial records and statements.

Adjacent · Match

Insurance Claims Adjuster

SOC 13-1031

You're skilled at evaluating damage assessments, interpreting data, and determining the validity of information. You can use these skills to assess insurance claims, analyze evidence, and negotiate settlements.

Adjacent · Match

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022

You're adept at identifying trends and anomalies in data, enabling proactive decision-making. You can use these skills to analyze market data, identify consumer behavior patterns, and develop insights to support business strategies.

Adjacent · Match

Urban Planner

SOC 19-3051

Your expertise in analyzing terrain, structures, and infrastructure, and determining functionality translates directly to urban planning. You've been trained to see the big picture of how different components function together.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Imagery Analyst Training Program

Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX
960hHours
24wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 15 semester hours recommended in Geography, Remote Sensing, or Intelligence Studies (estimated)

Topics · 8
  • Imagery Interpretation
  • Geospatial Analysis
  • Remote Sensing Principles
  • Target Identification
  • Photogrammetry
  • Multi-spectral Imagery Analysis
  • Exploitation Software (e.g., SOCET GXP)
  • Intelligence Reporting
Partial coverage · 2
  • Geospatial Intelligence Professional Certification (GIP)70%

    Requires understanding of specific software packages and methodologies used in the civilian geospatial intelligence sector, as well as broader knowledge of commercial applications of geospatial analysis.

  • Remote Sensing Professional Certification (RSP)60%

    Requires knowledge of advanced remote sensing techniques, specific sensor types beyond military applications, and data processing methodologies used in environmental monitoring or resource management.

Recommended next · 03
  • Certified Intelligence Professional (CIP)Adjacent
  • DoD Certified All-Source AnalystAdjacent
  • Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
SOCET GXP (BAE Systems)Geospatial image processing software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS)Operations
ENVI (Environment for Visualizing Images) (L3Harris)Remote sensing and image analysis software (e.g., ENVI, ERDAS IMAGINE)Operations
CEDALIONDatabase management and analysis software (e.g., SQL databases with data visualization tools)Operations
ArcGISGeographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS)Operations
NSG (National System for Geospatial Intelligence)Cloud-based geospatial data platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Geo services)Operations
DCGS-AF (Distributed Common Ground System - Air Force)Big data analytics platforms for intelligence (e.g., Palantir, IBM i2 Analyst's Notebook)Networking
FMV (Full Motion Video) exploitation toolsVideo analytics software (e.g., Veritone, BriefCam)Operations
Cohort 2027 · Intake Open

Ship 1N191 into a software engineering career.

The pathways above are the destination. Vets Who Code is the route: a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for active duty, veterans, and military spouses. 17 weeks at 20–30 hours a week, and a body of work that ships.

Career guide data last generated: February 22, 2026