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3V1X1 Career Guide

Air Force

3V1X1: Motion Imagery Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Motion Imagery Specialist (3V1X1)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3V1X1 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Multimedia Producer

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Video Editor

$68K
High matchVery high demand

Broadcast Technician

$62K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific broadcast certifications (e.g., SBE)

Camera Operator

$55K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific camera systems used in film/TVNetworking with local production companies

Photographer (Commercial/Industrial)

$50K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Building a strong portfolio of commercial workMarketing and business skillsProficiency in photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3V1X1 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Continuously monitoring the environment during aerial or ground shoots to anticipate potential problems like weather changes, equipment malfunctions, or unexpected obstacles. This is crucial for capturing the best footage and ensuring the safety of the team.

Maintaining a constant awareness of surroundings and potential risks, allowing for proactive problem-solving and quick adaptation to changing circumstances.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating with pilots, directors, writers, and other crew members to ensure everyone is working in harmony to achieve the desired visual outcome. This includes clear communication, understanding roles, and adjusting plans on the fly.

Effectively collaborating with diverse teams, understanding individual roles, communicating clearly, and adapting strategies to ensure smooth workflow and shared objectives.

Resource Optimization

Determining the most efficient use of equipment, personnel, and time to achieve production goals within budget constraints. This involves planning shoots effectively, minimizing waste, and finding creative solutions to technical challenges.

Strategically allocating resources (time, budget, personnel) to maximize productivity and achieve desired outcomes while minimizing waste and overcoming obstacles.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict safety protocols, copyright laws, and operational procedures during all phases of motion media production. This ensures the safety of personnel, the legality of the content, and the quality of the final product.

Following established protocols, regulations, and ethical guidelines to ensure safe, legal, and high-quality outcomes in any project or task.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying recurring issues with equipment, editing workflows, or on-set procedures. Noticing these patterns allows for proactive problem-solving and the implementation of process improvements.

Quickly identifying and understanding recurring trends or issues in complex systems or processes, enabling efficient troubleshooting and improvement strategies.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for assessing risk, coordinating diverse teams, and ensuring operational readiness in dynamic environments. This translates directly to emergency management, where you'll develop and implement plans to protect communities from disasters.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9041.00

You've likely mentored junior airmen on camera operation, media production, and visual editing. You can channel that passion into becoming a technical trainer for specialized software or hardware. Your ability to communicate complex information clearly and adapt to different learning styles will make you an invaluable asset.

Insurance Investigator

SOC 33-9021.00

Your attention to detail, experience in documenting events visually, and ability to piece together narratives from visual information make you an ideal insurance investigator. You've been trained to observe, document, and analyze information to uncover the truth.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technician

SOC 49-9071.00

Your experience with aerial visual information and coordination with pilots provides a solid foundation for working with UAS (drones). As a technician, you'll be responsible for maintaining, repairing, and operating drones for various applications, such as infrastructure inspection or environmental monitoring. You already understand the importance of precise control and situational awareness in aerial operations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

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

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

Topics Covered

  • Camera Operation and Techniques
  • Lighting Principles and Practices
  • Audio Recording and Mixing
  • Video Editing and Post-Production
  • Motion Graphics and Special Effects
  • Scripting and Storyboarding
  • Studio Production and Directing

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)60% covered

Business practices, legal issues, advanced posing techniques, and specific post-processing workflows.

Certified Video Production Professional (CVPP)70% covered

Advanced editing software techniques, project management specific to video production, and current distribution platforms/strategies.

Recommended Next Certifications

Adobe Certified Professional in Premiere ProAvid Certified User: Media ComposerProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Avid Media ComposerAdobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro
Avid Pro ToolsLogic Pro, Audacity, Adobe Audition
Broadcast Television Cameras (Sony, Ikegami)Professional Broadcast Cameras (ARRI, Blackmagic)
Lighting Systems (Arri, Mole-Richardson)Professional Studio Lighting (Godox, Aputure)
Teleprompters (QTV, Autocue)Teleprompter Software and Hardware (Glide Gear, iKan)
Video Switchers (Ross, Blackmagic)Live Production Switchers (vMix, OBS Studio)
Character Generators (Chyron, Vizrt)Real-time Graphics Systems (NewBlueFX, Singular.live)

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