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3M031 Career Guide

Air Force

3M031: Services Apprentice

Career transition guide for Air Force Services Apprentice (3M031)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3M031 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Hotel/Lodging Manager

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in Property Management Systems (PMS)Revenue management strategies

Recreation Center Manager

$58K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certificationFirst Aid/CPR certificationProgram development experience

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner

$55K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificationEvent budgeting and contract negotiationMarketing and promotion skills

Human Resources Specialist

$68K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationKnowledge of HR laws and regulationsRecruiting and employee relations experience

Logistics Coordinator

$52K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management principlesProficiency in logistics softwareAPICS certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3M031 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As an Airman Services professional, you managed budgets, allocated resources for diverse programs (food, lodging, recreation, mortuary affairs), and controlled equipment/supplies, ensuring maximum value within constraints.

This translates directly to the ability to effectively manage budgets, personnel, and material resources in a business environment, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and within budget.

Situational Awareness

You maintained awareness of the needs and interests of military personnel and their dependents through surveys and direct interaction, adapting services to meet their evolving needs.

This skill allows you to understand the needs of your customers, anticipate problems, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization and its stakeholders.

Team Synchronization

You've coordinated diverse teams, including search and recovery, honor guard, and fitness programs, ensuring seamless operations and achievement of objectives.

This experience demonstrates your ability to effectively coordinate diverse teams, set goals, manage timelines, and communicate effectively to achieve a common objective.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict regulations and guidelines in areas like mortuary affairs, food service, and lodging was critical to your role.

This meticulousness ensures adherence to legal and ethical standards, reducing risk and promoting organizational integrity.

After-Action Analysis

Quality assurance functions and surveys to determine interests of military population involve analyzing the efficacy of current programs.

Evaluating the effectiveness of current operations to make improvements and suggest new programs is a transferable skill.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner

SOC 13-1121

You've been planning and executing lodging, feeding, and recreation services in fixed and bare base facilities. This directly translates to coordinating all aspects of events, from venue selection to catering and entertainment. Your resource optimization skills and procedural compliance experience will be invaluable in ensuring successful events.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081

You've been selecting, procuring, and controlling equipment and supplies. As a logistics analyst, you can apply these skills to analyze and coordinate an organization's supply chain, ensuring efficient and cost-effective distribution of goods and services. You understand resource allocation and can optimize processes.

Business Development Specialist

SOC 13-1199

You've been providing liaison support to the Defense Commissary Agency and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. You can leverage your communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with clients and partners, identify new business opportunities, and negotiate contracts. Your experience understanding the needs of military personnel gives you a unique perspective.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You have experience in performing quality assurance functions. Compliance officers ensure that organizations follow all regulations and internal policies. You will be reviewing existing procedures and suggesting modifications, as well as ensuring records are accurate and up-to-date.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Services Apprentice Course, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX

336 training hours8 weeks3 semester hours in Food Service Management

Topics Covered

  • Food Service Operations
  • Lodging Management
  • Fitness Center Operations
  • Mortuary Affairs Procedures
  • Recreation Program Management
  • Resource Management
  • Customer Service

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Hospitality Professional (CHP)60% covered

Requires additional study on specific hospitality management principles, revenue management, and customer service techniques specific to the hospitality industry. Focus on front desk operations and food and beverage management best practices.

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)50% covered

Study recreation programming, park maintenance, and risk management in a civilian parks and recreation context. Focus on topics not covered, such as grant writing and community engagement strategies.

ServSafe Manager70% covered

Review specific food safety regulations and best practices as they pertain to civilian food service environments. Understand the differences in regulations between military and civilian sectors.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Food Service Management System (FSMS)Restaurant management software (e.g., Toast, Revel Systems)
Lodging Management System (LMS)Property Management System (PMS) for hotels (e.g., Oracle Opera, RoomKeyPMS)
Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS)Gym management software (e.g., Mindbody, Zen Planner)
Mortuary Affairs Tracking System (MATS)Funeral home management software (e.g., Halcyon, CFS)
Defense Travel System (DTS)Corporate travel booking and expense management (e.g., Concur, Expensify)
Government Purchase Card (GPC) Online SystemCorporate credit card management platforms (e.g., SAP Concur, Emburse)
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle Netsuite)

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