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1U071 Career Guide

Air Force

1U071: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator

Career transition guide for Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator (1U071)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1U071 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific intelligence analysis software (e.g., Analyst's Notebook, Palantir)Familiarity with civilian intelligence databases and resources

Remote Sensing Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) certificationExperience with remote sensing software (e.g., ENVI, ERDAS IMAGINE)Knowledge of photogrammetry principles

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician

$75K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Part 107 certificationSpecific UAS platform training (if not already obtained)Understanding of FAA regulations for commercial drone operations

Air Traffic Controller

$130K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Controller certificationExtensive training in air traffic control proceduresStrong communication and decision-making skills

Technical Trainer

$65K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design certificationExperience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)Excellent communication and presentation skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1U071 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

1U071s maintain constant awareness of the battlespace, integrating real-time sensor data, intelligence reports, and communication with other units to understand the evolving tactical situation.

This translates to a heightened ability to perceive and understand complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic situations. It's about seeing the big picture and staying ahead of the curve.

Pattern Recognition

These airmen analyze complex imagery and sensor data from multiple sources (SAR, EO, IR, etc.) to identify potential targets, discriminate between threats and non-threats, and understand enemy tactics.

You possess a refined ability to identify meaningful patterns within large datasets. This skill allows you to extract crucial insights from seemingly disparate pieces of information, enabling you to predict trends and anticipate potential problems.

Rapid Prioritization

In a dynamic combat environment, 1U071s must quickly assess incoming information, prioritize tasks, and make critical decisions under pressure, often with limited time and resources.

You excel at rapidly evaluating situations, identifying the most critical issues, and allocating resources effectively under pressure. This skill allows you to maintain focus and make sound judgments, even in chaotic environments.

After-Action Analysis

The role requires participating in post-flight debriefings, analyzing mission accomplishments, identifying areas for improvement, and contributing to the development of new procedures and tactics.

You're skilled at objectively evaluating past performance, identifying lessons learned, and implementing changes to improve future outcomes. This analytical mindset is invaluable for driving continuous improvement and achieving optimal results.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099

As a 1U071, you've honed your skills in pattern recognition and critical analysis to identify threats. You've been trained to scrutinize data, assess risks, and make informed decisions under pressure, all skills that are directly transferable to uncovering fraudulent activities and protecting assets.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161

You've been immersed in analyzing complex information to identify patterns and trends, and you're adept at understanding the competitive landscape. Your experience equips you to gather and interpret data, assess market trends, and provide actionable insights that drive business decisions.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

Your experience in high-stakes situations, rapid decision-making, and understanding complex systems provides a solid foundation for preparing for and responding to emergencies. Your aptitude for situational awareness and resource management makes you an ideal candidate to develop and implement emergency response plans, coordinate resources, and ensure community safety.

Training & Education Equivalencies

1U071 Initial Qualification Training, multiple locations

600 training hours15 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in aviation operations and remote sensing

Topics Covered

  • Air Force Common Core
  • UAS Aircraft Systems
  • Sensor Operation (EO/IR/SAR)
  • Mission Planning
  • Airspace Management
  • Rules of Engagement (ROE)
  • Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
  • Laser Target Designation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Remote Sensing Scientist (CRSS)70% covered

Requires study of advanced remote sensing techniques, data processing algorithms, and specific sensor characteristics not covered in detail in the 1U071 training.

Geospatial Intelligence Professional (GIP)60% covered

Requires focused study on advanced geospatial analysis, intelligence tradecraft specific to civilian applications, and legal/ethical considerations in geospatial intelligence.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) SensorsHigh-resolution thermal and visual imaging cameras used in security, surveillance, and industrial inspection (e.g., FLIR cameras, drone-mounted camera systems)
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and high-resolution imaging radar used in construction, environmental monitoring, and geological surveying
Laser Target DesignatorLaser rangefinders and laser pointers used in surveying, construction, and outdoor recreation
Full-Motion Video (FMV) exploitation software (e.g., ArcGIS)Video analytics software used in security and traffic management (e.g., Milestone XProtect, Agent Vi)
Air Tasking Order (ATO) Management SystemsProject Management software that includes task delegation, scheduling and resource allocation, such as Asana, Jira, or Monday.com
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) tools and softwareDamage assessment software used in insurance, construction, and disaster relief (e.g., Hover, SimScale)
Mission Planning Software (e.g., FalconView)Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software used for mapping, route planning, and spatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)

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