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37F1 Career Guide

Air Force

37F1: Force Support Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Force Support Specialist (37F1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 37F1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Human Resources Manager

$120K
High matchHigh demand

Training and Development Manager

$115K
High matchGrowing demand

Management Analyst

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationLean Six Sigma certification

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency Management certifications (e.g., Certified Emergency Manager)FEMA training

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner

$60K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificationEvent planning software proficiency

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 37F1 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

This role involves managing and allocating manpower, financial, and equipment resources across various programs and operations to ensure mission readiness and support for Airmen.

You can efficiently allocate resources, manage budgets, and make data-driven decisions to maximize efficiency and achieve organizational goals.

System Modeling

You develop and maintain Air Force organizational structures, analyze force composition, and determine manpower requirements using industrial and management engineering methodologies.

You are skilled at understanding and improving complex systems, identifying key variables, and optimizing performance through structured analysis.

Rapid Prioritization

You must quickly assess and prioritize numerous tasks, from force development and career management to readiness, lodging, and mortuary affairs, especially during contingency operations.

You excel at quickly assessing situations, identifying critical tasks, and prioritizing efforts to ensure efficient and effective outcomes, even under pressure.

Team Synchronization

You lead and supervise diverse teams across various functions, including food operations, fitness, recreation, and protocol, ensuring coordinated efforts to support the Total Force.

You have the ability to orchestrate efforts across diverse teams, fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone works together seamlessly to achieve common goals.

Procedural Compliance

You ensure compliance with policies and standards across all managed programs, from Airman and Family Programs to financial and corporate standards, maintaining internal controls and accountability.

You are adept at understanding, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures, ensuring that operations adhere to established guidelines and maintain high standards of compliance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Operations Manager

SOC 13-1000

You've been responsible for managing diverse operational functions within the Air Force. Your experience in resource allocation, process improvement, and strategic planning translates well to overseeing and optimizing business operations for a civilian company.

Human Resources Consultant

SOC 13-1141

You've developed and executed personnel programs, managed force development, and handled employee relations. This experience makes you well-suited to advise organizations on HR best practices, talent management, and organizational development.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161

You've been involved in contingency planning, readiness, and support operations. Your skills in crisis management, resource coordination, and procedural compliance are highly valuable in preparing for and responding to emergencies in a civilian context.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Force Support Apprentice Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX

288 training hours7 weeks3 semester hours in Food Service Management, 2 semester hours in Hospitality Management

Topics Covered

  • Food Service Operations Management
  • Lodging Management Principles
  • Fitness Center Operations and Programming
  • Recreation Program Development
  • Mortuary Affairs Procedures
  • Casualty Reporting and Assistance
  • Resource Management Fundamentals
  • Customer Service Excellence

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

SHRM-CP60% covered

Requires studying specific HR laws and regulations, compensation and benefits strategies, and talent acquisition best practices.

Project Management Professional (PMP)50% covered

Requires studying the PMBOK guide, focusing on areas such as risk management, procurement management, and stakeholder management. Also, need to learn specific project management tools and techniques.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)Change Management Professional (CMP)Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)SAP ERP, Oracle Financials
Air Force Training Record (AFTR)Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Cornerstone OnDemand, SAP SuccessFactors
Manpower Requirements Determination (MRD) toolsWorkforce planning software, like Workday, Anaplan
Unit Manpower Document (UMD)Organizational charts with headcount, position management modules in HRIS systems
Defense Civilian Personnel Data System (DCPDS)Federal HR systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, CGI Momentum)
Base Support Installation (BSI) moduleFacilities Management Software (e.g., IBM Tririga, Archibus)
Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS)Wellness program management platforms, corporate fitness tracking systems

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