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1T251 Career Guide

Air Force

1T251: Pararescue Journeyman

Career transition guide for Air Force Pararescue Journeyman (1T251)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1T251 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic

$45K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian EMT/Paramedic certification (NREMT)Familiarity with local/state EMS protocols

Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician

$55K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Wilderness First Responder/EMT certificationAdvanced rope rescue trainingSwiftwater rescue training

Wildland Firefighter

$50K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Wildland Firefighter certifications (e.g., NWCG)Incident Command System (ICS) trainingSpecific physical fitness standards

Corporate Security Specialist / Emergency Response Coordinator

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certificationOSHA safety certificationsCorporate security experience

Technical Rescue Instructor

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional certifications (e.g., fire service instructor)Specific certifications in area of instruction (rope rescue, swiftwater, etc.)Curriculum development experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1T251 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Pararescuemen constantly triage injuries and threats in dynamic, high-stress environments, making split-second decisions about who needs help first and how to allocate limited resources effectively.

This ability to quickly assess and prioritize needs in crisis situations translates to effective decision-making under pressure and efficient resource allocation.

Situational Awareness

Pararescuemen must maintain a comprehensive understanding of their surroundings, including terrain, weather, potential threats, and the status of their team and casualties, often in chaotic and rapidly changing conditions.

Your heightened awareness allows you to anticipate problems, identify opportunities, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

Team Synchronization

Pararescue operations require seamless coordination and communication within a small team, often under extreme duress. Everyone needs to be on the same page and anticipate each other's actions.

Your experience fostering cohesive teams and executing complex operations with precision makes you a valuable asset in any collaborative environment.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Pararescuemen are trained to operate effectively even when equipment malfunctions, communication is lost, or plans fall apart. They find creative solutions and adapt to unexpected challenges.

You excel at problem-solving and maintaining composure under pressure, finding innovative solutions when things don't go according to plan.

Resource Optimization

Often operating with limited supplies and equipment, Pararescuemen must make the most of available resources to ensure mission success and patient survival, thinking creatively to solve logistical challenges.

This skill shows you are adept at finding creative solutions to complex problems, streamlining processes, and maximizing efficiency with limited resources.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wilderness Therapy Guide

SOC 21-1093.00

You've been trained to handle extreme environments, provide medical care in austere conditions, and lead teams through challenging situations. Your survival skills and ability to inspire confidence make you an ideal guide for individuals seeking personal growth through wilderness experiences.

Disaster Relief Coordinator

SOC 11-9199.09

You've been on the front lines of emergencies, providing aid and coordinating rescue efforts. Your experience in triage, logistics, and team leadership will allow you to excel in organizing and managing disaster response operations.

Search and Rescue (SAR) Program Manager

SOC 11-1021.00

Your experience in planning and executing search and rescue missions, combined with your medical training and leadership skills, provides a solid foundation for overseeing SAR programs at the local, state, or federal level. You're equipped to develop protocols, manage resources, and train personnel.

Corporate Security Consultant

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been trained to assess risks, develop security plans, and respond to threats. Your experience in high-pressure situations and your ability to remain calm under fire make you well-suited to advise corporations on security protocols, crisis management, and personnel protection.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Pararescue Training, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX and Kirtland Air Force Base, NM

2,600 training hours52 weeksUp to 20 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Airborne Operations
  • Combat Diver
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
  • Advanced Medical Skills
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Personnel Recovery
  • Rope Rescue Techniques

Certification Pathways

Ready to Certify

EMT-B

Partial Coverage

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)70% covered

The military training provides a solid foundation in trauma and medical care in austere environments. Gaps would primarily be in the WFR-specific protocols and wilderness-specific medical issues like altitude sickness, hypothermia management in prolonged scenarios, and improvised splinting/litter-building techniques.

Diver Medic Technician60% covered

While the candidate possesses diving and medical skills, Diver Medic Technician requires specific hyperbaric chamber operation and diving medicine knowledge that may not be fully covered in the military training. Specific focus on dive-related injuries and illnesses is needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Emergency Paramedic (CEP)Tactical Paramedic Certification (TP-C)Critical Care Paramedic Certification (CCP-C)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Advanced Tactical Parachute System (ATPS)Ram-air parachuting systems for sport skydiving and BASE jumping
Special Operations Medical Toolkit (SOMTK)Advanced EMT trauma kits and field medical equipment
AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld RadioMotorola APX series P25 two-way radios
DAGR (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver)Garmin Foretrex series GPS watch with mapping
NVG (Night Vision Goggles)High-end thermal and night vision optics for hunting/wildlife observation
MEDEVAC Request ProceduresEmergency medical dispatch protocols and air ambulance services
Close Air Support (CAS) ProceduresAir traffic control and emergency aviation support services

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