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1W071A Career Guide

Air Force

1W071A: Weather Forecaster

Career transition guide for Air Force Weather Forecaster (1W071A)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1W071A veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Meteorologist

$99K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (if interested in broadcasting)

Data Scientist

$125K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Python or R programmingMachine learning techniquesData visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)

Emergency Management Specialist

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-700, IS-800)HAZMAT trainingIncident Command System (ICS) training

Geospatial Analyst

$78K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Geographic Information System (GIS) software proficiencyRemote sensing data analysisCartography principles

Environmental Consultant

$77K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Environmental regulations and complianceEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Specific industry knowledge (e.g., air quality, water resources)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1W071A training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You built and utilized models of atmospheric and space weather systems to predict future conditions and their impact on military operations.

You can understand and manipulate complex models of reality to predict outcomes in dynamic environments.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitored and interpreted diverse data streams (satellite, radar, surface observations) to maintain a comprehensive understanding of environmental conditions and their implications for ongoing operations.

You excel at gathering, synthesizing, and interpreting information from multiple sources to maintain a clear understanding of complex and evolving situations.

Rapid Prioritization

You quickly assessed the severity and operational impact of changing weather conditions to prioritize warnings, advisories, and resource allocation during critical missions.

You are skilled at rapidly evaluating evolving situations, identifying the most critical issues, and prioritizing actions under pressure.

Resource Optimization

You managed weather resources (personnel, equipment, and data) to ensure effective support for diverse military operations, adapting your approach based on changing mission requirements and resource availability.

You can effectively allocate and manage resources to maximize efficiency and achieve desired outcomes in complex environments, adapting your strategy based on changing circumstances.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081

You've been forecasting weather impacts on military ops and advising on risk mitigation. As a Logistics Analyst, you'll apply those same skills to analyze supply chain data, anticipate disruptions (weather, political, economic), and optimize delivery routes and inventory levels. Your experience with resource allocation and rapid decision-making under pressure translates directly to ensuring smooth logistical operations.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You've been issuing warnings and advisories about severe weather. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll use your expertise in risk assessment and communication to prepare communities for natural disasters and other emergencies. You'll develop emergency response plans, coordinate resources, and educate the public on safety measures.

Financial Risk Analyst

SOC 13-2051

You've been modeling complex systems and assessing their impact on military operations. As a Financial Risk Analyst, you'll use similar skills to assess financial risks, model potential market scenarios, and advise financial institutions on strategies to mitigate losses. Your ability to synthesize data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions under pressure will be highly valuable.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Weather Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Meteorology

Topics Covered

  • Meteorological Observations
  • Weather Radar Interpretation
  • Satellite Imagery Analysis
  • Atmospheric Dynamics
  • Numerical Weather Prediction
  • Space Weather
  • Weather Briefing Techniques
  • Aviation Weather

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Forecaster (CPF)70% covered

Requires additional study of advanced forecasting techniques, particularly in areas outside of military-specific applications, and understanding of private sector forecasting needs.

GIS Professional (GISP)50% covered

Requires further knowledge of GIS software, spatial analysis techniques beyond weather-specific applications, and the ethical considerations within the GIS field.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS)Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)Commercial Meteorological Satellites (e.g., GOES, Meteosat)
Air Force Weather Web Services (AFW-WEBS)Commercial Weather Data APIs (e.g., AccuWeather, The Weather Channel)
Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET)Geographic Information System (GIS) software with weather overlays (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) ModelNumerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models (e.g., GFS, NAM)
Real-Time Solar and Weather Observations (RTSWO)Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) data feeds

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