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1T051 Career Guide

Air Force

1T051: SERE Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force SERE Specialist (1T051)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1T051 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Wilderness Survival Instructor

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Relevant certifications (e.g., Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace)Marketing and business development

Corporate Security and Risk Management Consultant

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (e.g., PMP)Business acumen and communication skillsSecurity management certifications (e.g., CPP)

Emergency Management Specialist

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)Knowledge of local, state, and federal emergency management protocols

Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced medical training (e.g., EMT, Paramedic)Specialized SAR certifications (e.g., swiftwater rescue, high-angle rescue)

Training and Development Specialist

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design certificationE-learning development toolsCorporate training experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1T051 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

SERE instructors must constantly monitor their surroundings during training exercises, anticipating potential hazards in diverse and challenging environments (e.g., wilderness, combat simulations, captivity scenarios) to ensure student safety and effective learning.

The ability to maintain acute awareness of your surroundings and potential risks, allowing for proactive decision-making and hazard mitigation.

Rapid Prioritization

In survival scenarios and during combat search and rescue exercises, SERE personnel must quickly assess evolving situations, prioritize immediate threats (e.g., environmental dangers, hostile forces, injuries), and allocate resources effectively to maximize chances of survival and mission success.

The capacity to swiftly evaluate complex situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources according to urgency and impact.

Adversarial Thinking

SERE specialists train personnel to resist exploitation during captivity. This requires anticipating the tactics and strategies of adversaries, developing countermeasures, and teaching techniques to maintain mental and physical resilience under duress.

The ability to anticipate the strategies and motivations of opponents, enabling proactive planning and effective defense against potential threats or challenges.

Resource Optimization

SERE training often takes place in austere environments where resources are limited. Instructors must be adept at improvising solutions, maximizing the use of available equipment and supplies, and teaching students how to survive and thrive with minimal support.

The skill of efficiently allocating and utilizing limited resources to achieve maximum effectiveness and minimize waste.

After-Action Analysis

Following SERE training exercises and real-world CSAR/PR operations, instructors conduct thorough after-action reviews to identify lessons learned, evaluate the effectiveness of tactics and procedures, and improve future training and operational support activities.

The ability to systematically review past events, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance future performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been expertly planning for survival in extreme circumstances, and your experience in coordinating diverse teams and resources makes you ideally suited to lead emergency preparedness and response efforts in civilian communities. You're a natural at assessing risks and implementing effective strategies.

Corporate Security Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've been immersed in threat assessment and security protocols, teaching others how to evade and resist in hostile environments. Your expertise translates perfectly to protecting corporate assets, personnel, and information from internal and external threats. You bring unparalleled vigilance and strategic planning skills.

Wilderness Therapy Guide

SOC 21-1015.00

You've thrived in high-stress environments and have a knack for teaching survival skills. You also have experience managing individuals in stressful situations. This makes you ideal to help people overcome personal struggles by connecting with nature.

Training & Education Equivalencies

SERE Specialist Training, Fairchild AFB, WA

1,760 training hours44 weeksUp to 20 semester hours recommended in wilderness survival, leadership, and military science

Topics Covered

  • Survival Skills (Land and Water)
  • Evasion Techniques
  • Resistance to Exploitation
  • Escape Techniques
  • Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)
  • Personnel Recovery (PR) Operations
  • Parachuting (Static Line and Military Free Fall)
  • SERE Equipment and Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)70% covered

While the SERE training covers extensive survival skills and emergency procedures, WFR requires specific knowledge of wilderness medicine protocols, patient assessment in remote environments, and long-term care considerations. Focus on topics like musculoskeletal injuries, wound management in the field, and environmental emergencies specific to wilderness settings.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)40% covered

The SERE training provides a foundation in survival medicine, the EMT certification requires a deeper understanding of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical procedures, as well as practical skills in patient assessment, airway management, and medication administration. Additional study and practical experience in a clinical setting are required.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PRC-112 Combat Survival Radio (CSR)Garmin inReach Explorer+, Satellite Communicator
PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)ACR ResQLink View - Buoyant GPS Personal Locator Beacon with Display
DAGR (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver)Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition, Wrist-Mounted GPS
Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) Isolated Personnel Report (ISOPREP)Emergency Contact Information Sheet, Medical Information Form
Evasion Chart/Blood ChitTraveler's emergency contact card with translation services (ex. Google Translate)
Personnel Recovery Mission Software (PRMS)Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated with emergency response software
MC-4 Parachute SystemRam-Air Parachute Systems for civilian skydivers

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