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1W091 Career Guide

Air Force

1W091: Weather Forecaster

Career transition guide for Air Force Weather Forecaster (1W091)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1W091 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Meteorologist

$99K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian weather forecasting modelsPublic communication skills

Environmental Consultant

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Environmental regulationsReport writing

Data Scientist

$110K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Python or R programmingMachine learning techniques

Geospatial Analyst

$78K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS)Remote sensing techniques

Emergency Management Specialist

$75K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certificationsDisaster preparedness planning

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1W091 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a weather forecaster, you develop and utilize complex models of atmospheric and space weather systems to predict future conditions and their impact on military operations.

Your ability to build and interpret system models translates directly into designing, testing, and refining complex algorithms and predictive models across various industries.

Situational Awareness

You maintain constant awareness of dynamic weather conditions, integrating data from multiple sources to assess risks and opportunities for military operations in diverse environments.

This keen awareness allows you to quickly assess evolving circumstances, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in time-sensitive, high-pressure environments.

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely prioritize tasks based on the urgency and impact of weather events on ongoing military missions, ensuring critical information reaches decision-makers promptly.

Your experience in rapidly prioritizing tasks in high-stakes situations makes you adept at managing competing demands, allocating resources effectively, and meeting deadlines under pressure.

Resource Optimization

You manage weather resources and tailor unit capabilities to meet mission requirements, ensuring optimal allocation of equipment and personnel for effective weather support.

Your skill in resource optimization allows you to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and maximize the utilization of available resources to achieve organizational goals.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051

You've been analyzing complex environmental data to predict weather patterns, which is directly applicable to building predictive models and extracting insights from large datasets in various industries. Your experience with statistical analysis and data visualization makes you a valuable asset in data-driven decision-making.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9099

You're already skilled in assessing risks and issuing warnings for severe weather events. This translates seamlessly into developing and implementing emergency response plans for natural disasters and other crises. Your ability to communicate effectively and make critical decisions under pressure makes you an ideal candidate.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081

You have experience in managing resources and tailoring capabilities to meet mission requirements. As a logistics analyst, you can apply these skills to optimize supply chain operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs for businesses. Your understanding of complex systems and ability to analyze data makes you well-suited for this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Weather Initial Skills Training, Keesler Air Force Base, MS

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Meteorology

Topics Covered

  • Meteorological Observation Techniques
  • Weather Radar Interpretation
  • Satellite Imagery Analysis
  • Weather Forecasting Principles
  • Atmospheric Science Fundamentals
  • Weather Effects on Military Operations
  • Space Weather Environment
  • Briefing Techniques

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Environmental Scientist (CES)60% covered

The CES focuses more broadly on environmental science, including areas like toxicology, hydrology, and environmental regulations which are not explicitly covered in the 1W091 role. Study environmental regulations, remediation, and broader ecological principles.

GIS Professional (GISP)40% covered

While 1W091s use weather data and likely some mapping tools, a GISP requires deeper knowledge of GIS software, spatial analysis techniques, and cartography principles. Focus on GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), spatial statistics, and map design.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Weather Observer (CWO)Certified Climate Professional (CCP)

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)
Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) systemsNational Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA data feeds
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)Commercial meteorological satellites (e.g., GOES, EUMETSAT)
Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modelHigh-resolution numerical weather prediction models (e.g., Weather Company, AccuWeather)
Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET)Geographic Information System (GIS) software with weather data integration (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS with weather plugins)
Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) data feedsCommercial space weather data providers (e.g., Space Weather Services)
FMQ-19 Automated Meteorological SensorVaisala WXT520 Weather Transmitter

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