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3V051 Career Guide

Air Force

3V051: Motion Imagery Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Motion Imagery Specialist (3V051)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3V051 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Multimedia Producer

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)Advanced storytelling techniquesProject management skills

Broadcast Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific broadcast equipment certificationsKnowledge of FCC regulationsTroubleshooting and repair of broadcast systems

Corporate Video Specialist

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Marketing and branding principlesExperience with corporate communication strategiesClient management skills

Photographer/Videographer

$60K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Develop a strong portfolioMaster post-processing techniquesBusiness and marketing skills (for freelance work)

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Cinematographer

$72K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Part 107 certificationAdvanced drone piloting skillsExpertise in aerial cinematography techniques

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3V051 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a 3V051, you constantly monitor the environment on set, whether it's a studio or an aerial shoot. You need to anticipate potential problems with lighting, equipment, or even the position of the aircraft to capture the best footage.

This translates to being highly observant and proactive in any dynamic environment. You can quickly assess situations, predict potential issues, and take steps to mitigate them before they escalate.

Resource Optimization

From determining the equipment needed for a shoot to managing studio sets and props, you're always making decisions about how to best utilize available resources. You need to work efficiently to stay within budget and meet deadlines.

You're skilled at maximizing efficiency with limited resources, a highly valued asset in any organization. You understand how to allocate resources effectively, avoid waste, and achieve desired outcomes with minimal input.

Team Synchronization

Whether coordinating with pilots during aerial shoots or directing talent in a studio, you're used to working as part of a team to achieve a common goal. You need to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and ensure everyone is on the same page.

You're adept at collaborating with others to achieve shared objectives. You understand the importance of clear communication, mutual support, and coordinated effort in a team environment.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying the visual patterns, color compatibility, and matching interior/exterior scenes is crucial. Recognizing patterns in sound during audio recording and distribution for music or sound effects.

This skill translates into the civilian world by identifying trends in data, user behavior, or market analysis. The ability to recognize patterns can help companies make better decisions.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

User Experience (UX) Researcher

SOC 19-3099.00

As a 3V051, you've been mastering situational awareness on set and coordinating with various people. In UX research, you'll use these same skills to observe users, gather data, and provide insights to improve product design. Your experience in identifying visual patterns can translate to understanding user behavior.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9041.00

You've been responsible for ensuring technical adequacy of equipment and relaying cues and signals. As a technical trainer, you can use your ability to understand the technical aspects of equipment to help others do the same. With the combination of technical proficiency and the ability to guide others, this career is a good fit.

Marketing Specialist

SOC 13-1161.00

Your experience in visual information and production-related tasks allows you to develop marketing campaigns. In this position, you'll create engaging content for a variety of audiences.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Visual Information Course, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Communications, Television Production, or Digital Media

Topics Covered

  • Motion Media Production Techniques
  • Camera Operation and Maintenance
  • Lighting Principles and Techniques
  • Sound Recording and Editing
  • Video Editing Software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro)
  • Visual Storytelling and Composition
  • Live Production and Broadcasting
  • Aerial Videography Techniques

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)50% covered

Business practices, legal issues, and specific artistic styles within civilian photography. Focus on building a professional portfolio and understanding client management.

Certified Digital Media Professional (CDMP)60% covered

In-depth knowledge of current digital media trends, marketing strategies, analytics, and platform-specific nuances. Study SEO, content marketing, and social media advertising.

Adobe Certified Professional in Premiere Pro70% covered

Advanced editing techniques, motion graphics integration, color correction workflows, and mastering specific Premiere Pro features not covered in military training.

Recommended Next Certifications

FAA Part 107 sUAS Remote Pilot CertificationProject Management Professional (PMP)Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Avid Media ComposerAdobe Premiere Pro
Sony Professional Camcorders (various models, e.g., PXW-FX9, PMW-F5)Professional Cinema Cameras (ARRI, RED, Canon Cinema EOS)
Litepanels Astra SeriesLED Lighting Panels (e.g., Aputure, Godox)
Sennheiser MKH 416Shotgun Microphones (Rode NTG5, Audio-Technica AT875R)
Teleprompters (various models)Teleprompter software and hardware (e.g., ProPrompter, Autocue)
Ross Video SwitchersBlackmagic Design ATEM switchers
Avid Pro ToolsDAWs - Digital Audio Workstations (e.g., Logic Pro X, Ableton Live)

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