31P3 Career Guide
31P3: Security Forces Officer
Career transition guide for Air Force Security Forces Officer (31P3)
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Top civilian roles for 31P3 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Security Manager
Skills to develop:
Law Enforcement Officer/Detective
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Director
Skills to develop:
Corporate Investigator
Skills to develop:
Private Security Consultant
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 31P3 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a Security Forces leader, you constantly scan your environment, anticipating threats and assessing vulnerabilities to protect personnel, assets, and resources.
This translates to an ability to quickly grasp the dynamics of any environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information.
Rapid Prioritization
You regularly make high-stakes decisions under pressure, swiftly determining which issues demand immediate attention and allocating resources accordingly during security incidents or emergencies.
You excel at triaging competing demands, focusing on the most critical tasks, and maintaining composure in fast-paced, high-pressure situations.
Adversarial Thinking
You are trained to anticipate potential threats and develop countermeasures, proactively seeking out vulnerabilities and designing strategies to protect against them.
This skill translates into an ability to think critically, identify potential risks, and develop proactive solutions to mitigate those risks in any environment.
Team Synchronization
Leading and coordinating Security Forces personnel requires seamless teamwork and clear communication to execute complex security operations and ensure mission success.
You know how to build cohesive teams, delegate effectively, and ensure everyone is working towards a common goal, maximizing efficiency and productivity.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been responsible for developing and executing security plans in high-pressure situations. This experience directly translates to creating and implementing emergency preparedness plans for communities or organizations, ensuring their safety and resilience in the face of disasters.
Fraud Investigator
SOC 13-2091.00Your experience in law enforcement and security, coupled with your adversarial thinking skills, makes you a natural at uncovering fraudulent schemes and protecting organizations from financial losses. You are skilled at identifying vulnerabilities and anticipating potential threats, which are essential in this role.
Compliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00You're adept at understanding complex regulations and ensuring adherence to established standards. Your background in enforcing security protocols and conducting investigations will make you a valuable asset in ensuring organizations comply with relevant laws and policies.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Security Forces Officer Course, Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Topics Covered
- •Air Base Defense
- •Law Enforcement Operations
- •Security Planning
- •Resource Protection
- •Antiterrorism Measures
- •Use of Force
- •Leadership and Management
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While the military provides extensive security experience, the CPP requires a deep understanding of business principles, risk management methodologies (beyond physical security), and legal aspects of security management in the civilian sector. Study areas include enterprise security risk management, security surveys, and business continuity planning.
The military provides a strong foundation in physical security principles. However, the PSP exam requires knowledge of advanced concepts in security systems, design, and implementation, as well as a broader understanding of security technologies commonly used in the civilian sector. Study areas include intrusion detection systems, access control systems, and CCTV systems.
While military experience includes investigations, the CFE focuses on fraud prevention, detection, and investigation in a business context. Study areas include financial transactions, fraud schemes, and forensic accounting principles.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Integrated Base Defense Security System (IBDSS) | Integrated security management systems (e.g., Genetec Security Center, Johnson Controls Security Solutions) |
| Ground-Based Radar (GBR) | Perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS) and surveillance radar |
| Air Base Ground Defense (ABGD) System | Comprehensive facility security and access control systems |
| Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) | Biometric access control systems (e.g., MorphoTrust, Thales Group) |
| Joint Regional Security Stack (JRSS) | Enterprise-level cybersecurity and network security solutions (e.g., Palo Alto Networks, Cisco) |
| Military Working Dog (MWD) Program | Contract K-9 security services |
| Small Arms and Light Weapons (SA/LW) | Law enforcement and security firearms training and equipment |
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