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31P2 Career Guide

Air Force

31P2: Security Forces Officer

Career transition guide for Air Force Security Forces Officer (31P2)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 31P2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Manager

$110K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationKnowledge of specific industry security standards (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST)

Corporate Security Director

$140K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certificationExperience with risk management frameworksStrong understanding of business continuity planning

Law Enforcement Officer/Detective

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Completion of a police academySpecific state certificationsAdditional training in criminal investigation techniques

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certificationFEMA training courses (e.g., ICS, NIMS)Grant writing and management experience

Compliance Officer

$78K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry compliance certifications (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR)Legal knowledge related to complianceAuditing experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 31P2 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a Security Forces officer, you constantly assessed threats and vulnerabilities, making split-second decisions about resource allocation and response protocols to protect personnel and assets.

This translates directly to the ability to quickly evaluate competing demands, allocate resources effectively, and make critical decisions under pressure in dynamic environments.

Situational Awareness

You maintained constant vigilance over complex environments, identifying potential threats, monitoring personnel, and adapting security measures in response to evolving circumstances.

This skill allows you to quickly grasp the nuances of any situation, anticipate potential problems, and proactively adjust strategies to ensure success.

Adversarial Thinking

You proactively identified vulnerabilities in security plans and anticipated potential threats, developing countermeasures to protect against attacks and maintain operational readiness.

This translates into an ability to think critically, identify potential risks, and develop effective strategies to mitigate them in competitive business environments.

Resource Optimization

You managed budgets, personnel, equipment, and facilities to maximize security effectiveness while minimizing costs, ensuring that resources were allocated efficiently to achieve strategic objectives.

You can effectively manage and allocate resources, optimizing performance and efficiency to achieve organizational goals within budgetary constraints.

Team Synchronization

As a Security Forces officer, you orchestrated the activities of diverse teams, coordinating their efforts to achieve common objectives in high-pressure environments.

You possess the ability to lead and coordinate teams effectively, ensuring that all members are working together seamlessly to achieve shared goals.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for planning and directing security operations, which directly translates into managing responses to emergencies and disasters. Your ability to assess vulnerabilities, coordinate resources, and lead teams under pressure makes you exceptionally well-suited for this role.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.05

Your experience developing security plans and policies aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of ensuring business operations can continue under adverse conditions. You've been trained to anticipate disruptions, develop mitigation strategies, and implement recovery plans, making you a valuable asset in this field.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've enforced standards of conduct, adherence to laws, and directives. This means you already understand the importance of regulatory frameworks and can apply your expertise to ensure organizations adhere to relevant laws and policies.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Security Forces Officer Course, Lackland Air Force Base, TX

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice or Security Management

Topics Covered

  • Air Base Ground Defense
  • Law Enforcement Operations
  • Security Planning and Management
  • Weapons Systems Security
  • Antiterrorism and Force Protection
  • Installation Security
  • Leadership and Management Principles

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)70% covered

Requires study of business principles, advanced security management concepts, and potentially some focus on the specific legal and ethical considerations within the private security sector, as the military experience is primarily government-focused.

Physical Security Professional (PSP)60% covered

Requires study in physical security assessment, application, design, and implementation. Understanding of commercial sector equipment and design is the primary area of focus needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (CATS)Emergency Management Professional Certification

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Integrated Base Defense Security System (IBDSS)Integrated security management systems (e.g., Genetec Security Center, Milestone XProtect)
Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Systems (e.g., P25 radios)Two-way radio communication systems (e.g., Motorola Solutions, Kenwood)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment (for IEDD tasks)Bomb disposal robots and equipment (e.g., iRobot, Allen Vanguard)
Night Vision Devices (NVDs) (e.g., AN/PVS-14)Night vision monoculars and goggles (e.g., Armasight, ATN)
Air Force Incident Management System (AFIMS)Emergency management software (e.g., Veoci, Juvare)
Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS)Access control and visitor management systems (e.g., Telaeris XPressEntry, HID Global)
Mobile Command and Control (C2) SystemsMobile incident command platforms (e.g., Mutualink, First Arriving)

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