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1U091 Career Guide

Air Force

1U091: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sensor Operator

Career transition guide for Air Force Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sensor Operator (1U091)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1U091 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Enhanced analytical software skills (e.g., Palantir)Familiarity with specific intelligence disciplines (e.g., OSINT, HUMINT)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Part 107 certificationSpecific UAS platform training (e.g., DJI, Parrot)Expanded knowledge of UAS maintenance and repair

Geospatial Analyst

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)Remote sensing data analysis techniquesKnowledge of cartography and map projection

Technical Trainer

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesCurriculum development experienceExcellent communication and presentation skills

Surveillance Systems Operator

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Familiarity with civilian surveillance technologiesUnderstanding of privacy laws and regulations

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1U091 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a 1U091, you constantly maintained a high level of awareness regarding your surroundings, including friendly and enemy forces, airspace restrictions, and potential threats, all while managing complex sensor data and aircraft systems.

This translates to an exceptional ability to perceive and understand complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make proactive decisions to mitigate risks in dynamic situations.

Rapid Prioritization

You were responsible for quickly assessing incoming information, such as target briefs or changes in the operational environment, and prioritizing tasks to ensure mission success, even under pressure.

This means you excel at evaluating competing demands, identifying critical issues, and allocating resources effectively to achieve objectives within tight deadlines.

Pattern Recognition

You routinely analyzed complex imagery and data from various sensors to identify targets, assess threats, and differentiate between valid and invalid information, using your expertise to discern critical details.

This showcases your ability to identify meaningful trends and anomalies in large datasets, enabling you to make informed decisions, predict future outcomes, and solve complex problems.

After-Action Analysis

You actively participated in post-flight debriefings to evaluate mission accomplishments, identify areas for improvement, and contribute to the development of more effective procedures.

This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and improvement, along with your ability to analyze past performance, identify root causes of problems, and implement corrective actions to enhance future outcomes.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-1199

You've been trained to meticulously analyze complex data streams and imagery to identify anomalies and potential threats. This skill set is directly transferable to identifying fraudulent activities within financial or insurance sectors. Your experience with pattern recognition and critical thinking will make you an invaluable asset in uncovering deceptive practices.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You've honed your situational awareness and rapid prioritization skills in high-pressure environments. This experience directly applies to emergency management, where you must quickly assess evolving situations, coordinate resources, and make critical decisions to protect lives and property. Your background in mission planning and risk assessment will prove invaluable in developing and implementing effective emergency response plans.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3021

You're adept at collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex data to identify trends and insights. This translates seamlessly to market research, where you'll use your analytical skills to understand consumer behavior, market dynamics, and competitive landscapes. Your experience in pattern recognition and critical thinking will enable you to provide valuable insights that drive business decisions.

Training & Education Equivalencies

1U091 UAS Sensor Operator Initial Qualification Training, Creech Air Force Base, NV

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in aviation technology or remote sensing

Topics Covered

  • UAS fundamentals and systems overview
  • Airspace regulations and procedures
  • Sensor operation (EO/IR, SAR)
  • Targeting and tracking techniques
  • Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
  • Air Tasking Order (ATO) and Special Instructions (SPINS) integration
  • Rules of Engagement (ROE)
  • Mission planning and debriefing

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)30% covered

The 1U091 role covers some aspects of security operations and intelligence gathering, which align with CISSP domains. Gaps include formal information security management, risk management, software development security, and compliance.

Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA Part 107)60% covered

The 1U091 role involves extensive UAS operations, but gaps exist in areas such as specific FAA regulations, airspace classifications, weather effects, aircraft performance, and maintenance.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

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.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)Ground-penetrating radar and high-resolution mapping systems used in environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and geological surveys.
Laser Target DesignatorLaser rangefinders and pointers used in surveying, construction, and industrial alignment.
Full-Motion Video (FMV) exploitation softwareVideo analytics platforms used in security, traffic management, and media production.
Air Tasking Order (ATO) SystemsProject management and task management software (e.g., Asana, Jira).
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) toolsQuality control and damage assessment software used in construction, manufacturing, and insurance industries.
Mission Planning Systems (e.g., JMPS)Flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight), route optimization software used in logistics and transportation.

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