New Cohort Starts:

Donate

3P031 Career Guide

Air Force

3P031: Security Forces Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Security Forces Specialist (3P031)

Translate Your 3P031 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3P031 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Guard/Protective Service Worker

$45K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State-specific security licensingCPR/First Aid certificationCustomer service skills

Police Officer/Sheriff's Deputy

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Police academy trainingPOST certificationDe-escalation techniques

Security Management Specialist

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certificationRisk assessment trainingOSHA safety standards

Military Working Dog Handler/Trainer (Contractor)

$60K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Dog training certifications (e.g., AKC)Veterinary assistant skillsBusiness management basics

Loss Prevention Manager

$60K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Retail experienceInventory managementSurveillance equipment proficiency

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3P031 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

3P031s constantly assess their surroundings, identifying potential threats, monitoring activity, and adapting security protocols based on real-time information to protect personnel and resources.

This translates to a heightened ability to perceive and understand the environment, anticipate potential problems, and react effectively in dynamic situations, crucial for roles requiring vigilance and quick decision-making.

Procedural Compliance

SF members strictly adhere to security protocols, legal guidelines, and operational procedures when conducting investigations, enforcing laws, and managing access control to ensure safety and maintain order.

Your commitment to following established rules, regulations, and standards makes you ideal for roles where accuracy, consistency, and adherence to compliance measures are paramount.

Adversarial Thinking

SF personnel must anticipate potential threats and tactics used by adversaries, developing counter-strategies and security measures to protect installations, personnel, and resources from attack.

You have a knack for identifying vulnerabilities and thinking ahead to potential risks, allowing you to proactively address problems and mitigate negative consequences.

Rapid Prioritization

In emergency situations, SF members quickly assess the severity of the situation, prioritize actions, and allocate resources effectively to mitigate threats, provide assistance, and maintain order.

Your ability to quickly evaluate situations, identify critical tasks, and allocate resources efficiently, even under pressure, makes you valuable in fast-paced environments that demand immediate action.

Resource Optimization

SF personnel are responsible for managing equipment, weaponry, and personnel effectively to ensure optimal security coverage, training, and response capabilities within budgetary and logistical constraints.

Your experience in allocating and managing resources efficiently, maximizing their impact while minimizing waste, makes you adept at streamlining operations and achieving objectives with limited resources.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-1199

You've been trained to identify threats, conduct investigations, and maintain strict procedural compliance. This background aligns perfectly with the skills needed to investigate fraudulent activities, gather evidence, and ensure legal and regulatory standards are met. Your adversarial thinking allows you to anticipate the tactics of fraudsters and develop strategies to combat them.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

Your experience in rapid prioritization, situational awareness, and resource optimization will be invaluable. You're adept at developing emergency response plans, coordinating resources during crises, and ensuring the safety and security of communities. Your background in disaster response and contingency planning makes you well-prepared to handle high-pressure situations.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You're highly skilled in procedural compliance and risk assessment, ensuring that organizations adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. Your experience in enforcing standards of conduct and identifying vulnerabilities makes you well-suited to mitigate risks and maintain ethical practices within a company.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Security Forces Academy, JBSA Lackland, TX

580 training hours15 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement

Topics Covered

  • Security Force Tactics and Techniques
  • Law Enforcement and Investigation Procedures
  • Air Base Defense Operations
  • Weapons Handling and Qualification (M4/M9)
  • Use of Force and Deadly Force
  • Entry Control and Installation Security
  • First Aid and Self-Aid Buddy Care
  • Combatives

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Security+ Certification70% covered

Study specific cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques that are not explicitly covered in military security force training. Focus on risk management frameworks, cryptographic concepts, and network security principles.

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60% covered

Review business principles, asset protection, legal aspects of security, and emergency management as it applies to the private sector.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)40% covered

Gain additional training in patient assessment, airway management, and other advanced first aid techniques as outlined in the civilian EMR curriculum.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Installation Entry (AIE) SystemVisitor Management Systems (VMS) with access control features
Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (GBOSS)Perimeter intrusion detection systems, such as radar-based or video analytics platforms
Integrated Base Defense Security System (IBDSS)Integrated security management platforms that combine access control, video surveillance, and alarm monitoring
Military Working Dog (MWD) ProgramK-9 security services for explosive/narcotics detection and patrol
Air Force Integrated Personnel and Pay System (AFIPPS)Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
Small Arms Repair Shop (SARS)Gunsmith, Weapons Technician
Law Enforcement Records Management System (LERMS)Records Management System (RMS)

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 3P031 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free