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1T0X1 Career Guide

Air Force

1T0X1: SERE Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force SERE Specialist (1T0X1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1T0X1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Wilderness Survival Instructor

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Wilderness First Responder certificationSpecific expertise in local flora and faunaMarketing and sales skills

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-700)Knowledge of local emergency response protocolsProject management skills

Corporate Security Trainer

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Security management certification (e.g., CPP)Adult education trainingExperience in corporate environments

Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced SAR certifications (e.g., NASAR SARTECH II)Geographic Information Systems (GIS) proficiencyIncident Command System (ICS) training

Outdoor Adventure Guide

$45K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications for guiding activities (e.g., rock climbing, whitewater rafting)First Aid/CPR certificationExcellent customer service skillsLocal area expertise

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1T0X1 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

SERE instructors constantly assess environmental conditions, potential threats, and the physical and mental states of trainees in high-stress, dynamic survival scenarios.

Vigilantly monitoring the environment, anticipating potential risks, and adapting strategies based on real-time data and observations to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Rapid Prioritization

In survival scenarios, SERE specialists must quickly determine the most critical needs (shelter, water, first aid) and allocate resources effectively under pressure.

Swiftly assessing competing demands, identifying the most urgent tasks, and efficiently allocating resources to maximize impact and minimize negative consequences in time-sensitive situations.

Degraded-Mode Operations

SERE training often involves operating with limited resources, damaged equipment, and incomplete information in simulated survival environments.

Maintaining functionality and achieving objectives despite disruptions, resource constraints, or unexpected challenges by improvising solutions and adapting procedures.

Adversarial Thinking

SERE training includes anticipating the actions of potential adversaries (e.g., captors) and developing countermeasures to evade, resist, and escape.

Analyzing situations from the perspective of potential opponents or competitors to identify vulnerabilities, anticipate their moves, and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks and gain a competitive advantage.

After-Action Analysis

Following training exercises or real-world events, SERE specialists conduct thorough reviews to identify lessons learned, improve training protocols, and enhance operational effectiveness.

Systematically evaluating past performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions to enhance future outcomes and prevent recurrence of errors.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wilderness Therapy Guide

SOC 21-1093.00

You've been expertly training people to survive and thrive in austere conditions. This translates perfectly to guiding individuals or groups through challenging wilderness experiences, fostering personal growth and resilience using survival skills and adaptability.

Corporate Security Consultant

SOC 13-1071.00

You've developed advanced skills in evasion, resistance, and escape which are highly applicable to assessing and mitigating security risks for corporations. Your expertise in adversarial thinking and protective measures makes you a valuable asset in safeguarding assets and personnel.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've honed your skills in planning, coordinating, and executing survival and recovery operations. This experience is directly transferable to developing and implementing emergency preparedness plans for communities or organizations, ensuring effective responses to disasters and crises.

Adventure Tourism Operator/Guide

SOC 39-3091.00

Your expertise in survival, navigation, and risk management makes you exceptionally qualified to design and lead unique and challenging adventure experiences for thrill-seekers. Your ability to ensure safety while pushing boundaries is highly valued in this field.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild Air Force Base, WA

1,240 training hours31 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Physical Education and Military Science

Topics Covered

  • Survival in diverse environments (desert, arctic, jungle, water)
  • Evasion techniques and planning
  • Resistance to interrogation
  • Escape methods and tools
  • Emergency signaling and communication
  • Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) procedures
  • Parachuting techniques (static line and freefall)
  • Land navigation and travel

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)70% covered

While military training covers survival medicine and emergency procedures, WFR certification requires specific training in wilderness-specific medical protocols, long-term patient care in remote environments, and advanced evacuation techniques. Study the WFR curriculum, focusing on patient assessment, environmental medicine, and improvised splinting/immobilization.

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)50% covered

SERE experience provides a foundation in emergency response and planning. CEM requires broader knowledge of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery across all hazard types. Study the CEM candidate handbook, focusing on hazard risk assessment, emergency planning regulations, and interagency coordination.

SHRM - Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)30% covered

SERE instructors develop training programs which overlaps with HR practices. SHRM-CP requires comprehensive knowledge of HR functions like talent acquisition, compensation, employee relations, and legal compliance. Study the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK), focusing on HR strategy, workforce planning, and employment law.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) Training Management SystemLearning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle, Blackboard, or Skillsoft
AN/PRC-112 Combat Survival RadioSatellite-enabled personal locator beacons (PLBs) or emergency communication devices like Garmin inReach or SPOT devices
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers (various models used for land navigation)Handheld GPS devices (Garmin, Magellan) or smartphone navigation apps (Gaia GPS, BackCountry Navigator)
Personnel Recovery Mission Software (e.g., FalconView with PR toolkit)GIS (Geographic Information System) software like ArcGIS or QGIS, used for mission planning and analysis
Survival Kits (containing specialized tools, medical supplies, signaling devices)Commercial survival kits and first-aid kits tailored to outdoor activities (camping, hiking, etc.)
Parachute systems (T-11, MC-4, or similar)Civilian Parachuting Systems (Ram-Air, Tandem)
Night Vision Devices (NODs) (e.g., AN/PVS-14)Commercial night vision monoculars and binoculars for outdoor recreation or security purposes

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