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1W071 Career Guide

Air Force

1W071: Weather Forecaster

Career transition guide for Air Force Weather Forecaster (1W071)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1W071 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Meteorologist

$99K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (if pursuing media)Specialized forecasting software (e.g., Baron Lynx, WSI Max)Advanced degree in Meteorology (helpful for research roles)

Data Scientist

$125K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Python or R programmingMachine learning techniquesData visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop)

Geospatial Analyst

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Geographic Information System (GIS) software proficiencyRemote sensing data analysisCartography and spatial modelingSpecific certifications like GISP (Geographic Information Systems Professional)

Emergency Management Specialist

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-700, ICS-300)Disaster planning and response protocolsRisk assessment methodologiesCommunication and coordination skills

Technical Trainer

$72K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesE-learning development toolsCurriculum development experienceExcellent presentation and communication skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1W071 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You use your understanding of atmospheric and space environmental systems to translate raw data into actionable intelligence for military decision-making. You predict how these systems will behave under various conditions.

This ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems translates directly to roles where you'll analyze and forecast trends in other dynamic environments.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor and assess environmental conditions to provide real-time advisories, watches, and warnings, ensuring operational safety and effectiveness.

Your honed ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding environment and anticipate potential impacts is highly valuable in high-stakes civilian roles.

Resource Optimization

You manage weather resources, tailor unit capabilities, and adapt strategies to meet mission requirements, ensuring efficient use of available assets.

Your experience in strategically allocating and managing resources to achieve specific objectives translates well to roles requiring efficient planning and execution.

Rapid Prioritization

You quickly assess and prioritize incoming data and alerts to identify the most critical threats and opportunities, enabling timely and effective decision-making.

Your capability to rapidly assess situations and prioritize actions in dynamic environments is invaluable for roles demanding quick thinking and decisive action.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been managing resources and optimizing operations in dynamic, high-pressure situations. As a Logistics Analyst, you'll leverage these skills to analyze supply chain processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements. Your experience in forecasting and planning will be invaluable in ensuring smooth and effective logistics operations.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been issuing warnings and advisories related to dangerous environmental conditions. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll be responsible for planning and coordinating responses to natural disasters and other emergencies. Your experience in situational awareness, risk assessment, and communication will be crucial in protecting communities and minimizing the impact of crises.

Financial Analyst

SOC 13-2051.00

You've been trained to analyze complex data sets and forecast future conditions. As a Financial Analyst, you can apply these skills to analyze market trends, assess investment risks, and provide recommendations to clients. Your ability to understand system dynamics and make informed decisions under pressure will be highly valued in the financial industry.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Weather Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS

750 training hours19 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Meteorology

Topics Covered

  • Surface Weather Observations
  • Upper Air Observations and Analysis
  • Meteorological Satellite Interpretation
  • Weather Radar Interpretation
  • Weather Forecasting Principles
  • Aviation Weather Support
  • Space Weather Analysis
  • Weather Briefing Techniques

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)40% covered

While the military training covers data analysis and weather forecasting, it may not cover the breadth of business intelligence concepts, data warehousing, data mining, and business strategy alignment needed for the CBIP.

Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)30% covered

The military training focuses on weather data analysis, but lacks the depth of knowledge in GIS principles, spatial analysis techniques, cartography, and GIS software proficiency needed for the GISP certification.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
FMQ-19 Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)Automated Weather Stations (AWS) such as those from Vaisala or Campbell Scientific
AN/TPQ-53 RadarNEXRAD (Next-Generation Radar) or commercial weather radar systems from companies like Enterprise Electronics Corporation (EEC)
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)Commercial weather satellites such as those operated by Planet or Spire
Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) Integrated Display System (IDS)Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software like ESRI ArcGIS or QGIS for data visualization and analysis
Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) ProductsData feeds and models from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center
Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Observing System (JMOS)Integrated oceanographic and meteorological data platforms such as those used in offshore industries
Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) ModelCommercial weather modeling software such as Baron Lynx or DTN WeatherOps

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