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1N291 Career Guide

Air Force

1N291: Signals Intelligence Analyst

Career transition guide for Air Force Signals Intelligence Analyst (1N291)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1N291 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific SIGINT tools training (e.g., XKEYSCORE)TS/SCI security clearance

Cybersecurity Analyst

$105K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP)Experience with specific cybersecurity tools (e.g., SIEM, intrusion detection systems)

Network Intelligence Analyst

$90K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Network analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump)Knowledge of network protocols and architectures

Intelligence Specialist

$80K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) softwareOpen Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques

Technical Support Specialist

$65K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Customer service skillsSpecific IT certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1N291 training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

As a 1N291, you were constantly identifying subtle patterns in electromagnetic emissions to discern communication structures and extract intelligence, even amidst a deluge of noise.

This keen ability to spot patterns translates directly to detecting anomalies, trends, and opportunities in large datasets or complex systems, allowing you to make informed decisions and anticipate future developments.

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely assessed incoming signals and reports, quickly determining which required immediate attention and which could be deferred, ensuring critical information was addressed promptly.

This skill allows you to effectively manage competing demands, focus on high-impact tasks, and make sound judgments under pressure, essential for thriving in fast-paced environments.

System Modeling

You developed mental models of communication systems and networks to understand how information flowed, identify vulnerabilities, and predict potential disruptions.

Your ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems makes you well-suited for roles requiring strategic thinking and proactive problem-solving. You can anticipate potential issues and develop effective mitigation strategies.

Adversarial Thinking

You were trained to think like the enemy, anticipating their communication strategies and identifying weaknesses in their systems to exploit them for intelligence gathering.

This mindset enables you to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in systems and processes, allowing you to proactively develop solutions and protect against threats.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a comprehensive understanding of the electromagnetic environment, identifying unusual activities and critical situations as they arose.

This heightened awareness equips you to quickly assess complex situations, identify potential threats and opportunities, and make informed decisions under pressure.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Analyst

SOC 13-2099.00

You've been trained to detect subtle anomalies and patterns in electromagnetic emissions. As a Fraud Analyst, you'll use those same skills to identify fraudulent transactions and activities, protecting businesses and individuals from financial harm.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161.00

You're adept at extracting intelligence from complex data. As a Market Research Analyst, you'll leverage your skills to analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor strategies to inform business decisions and drive growth.

Intelligence Analyst (Corporate)

SOC 13-1070

You're skilled at gathering and analyzing information to identify threats and opportunities. As a Corporate Intelligence Analyst, you will be able to apply these skills to protect a company from espionage, theft of intellectual property, or other attacks.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Signals Intelligence Analyst Training Pipeline, Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX

1,280 training hours32 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Signals Intelligence Analysis and Cryptology

Topics Covered

  • Electromagnetic Spectrum Theory
  • Signals Acquisition Techniques
  • Advanced Signals Analysis Software (e.g., XACT, CEDAR)
  • Communications Protocol Analysis
  • Emitter Identification and Geolocation
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Intelligence Reporting Procedures
  • Information Operations Technologies

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Security+70% covered

Requires studying specific security technologies, risk management, and compliance frameworks not explicitly covered in the 1N291 training.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30% covered

Requires extensive knowledge and experience in information security principles, risk management, security architecture, and legal/regulatory compliance. Need to study all domains.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)40% covered

Requires focused study on offensive security techniques, hacking tools, and penetration testing methodologies. Bridges the gap between signals intelligence and proactive security assessment.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
DRTBOXSoftware Defined Radio (SDR) platforms
COMINT Workstation (CWS)Data analytics and visualization software
Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool (EWPMT)Network analysis and security tools
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) AnalyzersCellular network testing and analysis equipment
Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS)Secure cloud computing and collaboration platforms
National SIGINT Committee (NSC) Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP)Mobile cybersecurity and threat detection suites
Multi-Int Analysis and Archive System (MIDAS)Big data analytics and knowledge management systems

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