61251 Career Guide
61251: Services Apprentice
Career transition guide for Air Force Services Apprentice (61251)
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Top civilian roles for 61251 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Hotel Manager
Skills to develop:
Restaurant Manager
Skills to develop:
Recreation Center Director
Skills to develop:
Retail Operations Manager
Skills to develop:
Logistics Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 61251 training built — and where they transfer.
Rapid Prioritization
As a Services Manager, you constantly juggle multiple programs, from food service to recreation to mortuary affairs, often with little warning. You have to quickly assess which issues demand immediate attention and which can wait.
This ability to rapidly assess and prioritize competing demands is highly valuable in fast-paced civilian environments, where deadlines shift and new challenges emerge constantly. You are adept at quickly identifying critical tasks and allocating resources effectively.
Resource Optimization
Managing appropriated funds (APF) and diverse services requires you to maximize resources effectively. Whether it's food service supplies, lodging capacity, or recreation equipment, you are skilled at making the most of limited budgets and assets.
Your experience optimizing resources translates directly to cost management and efficiency improvements in the civilian sector. Companies value individuals who can identify waste, streamline processes, and deliver results with limited resources.
Procedural Compliance
Your role demands strict adherence to regulations and procedures across various service programs, from food safety standards to mortuary affairs protocols. Your attention to detail is critical to maintaining high standards and avoiding compliance issues.
Civilian organizations in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, finance) highly value individuals with a proven track record of procedural compliance. Your ability to meticulously follow guidelines and maintain accurate records makes you a strong asset in ensuring operational integrity.
Team Synchronization
Overseeing diverse teams across different service areas—from food service staff to honor guard teams—requires you to coordinate efforts seamlessly. You are adept at ensuring everyone works together effectively to achieve common goals.
In the civilian world, this translates to exceptional project management and team leadership skills. Your ability to synchronize diverse teams towards a common goal is highly valued in collaborative environments.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been managing diverse services and responding to urgent situations throughout your military career. You're skilled at resource allocation, team coordination, and procedural compliance – all crucial for effective emergency response planning and execution. Your experience in mortuary affairs also provides a unique perspective on disaster recovery.
Healthcare Administrator
SOC 11-9111.00You've been responsible for managing complex operations and ensuring compliance with strict regulations. You're adept at optimizing resources, coordinating teams, and prioritizing tasks – all essential for efficient healthcare facility management. Your experience in food service and lodging activities also provides valuable insights into patient care and comfort.
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've honed skills in overseeing linen exchange operations and supply chains. You know inventory management, resource optimization, and streamlined process inside and out. You can ensure efficient delivery and operational readiness.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Services Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, TX
Topics Covered
- •Food Service Operations
- •Lodging Management
- •Recreation and Fitness Program Management
- •Services Readiness
- •Mortuary Affairs Fundamentals
- •Honor Guard Procedures
- •APF Accounting Procedures
- •Customer Service
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Focus on front desk operations, guest relations, and specific hotel management software.
Study specific food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and local health codes.
Gain deeper knowledge of recreational program development, risk management in recreational settings, and community engagement strategies.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Automated Business Services System (ABSS) | Point of Sale (POS) systems for retail and service management |
| Food Service Management System (FSMS) | Restaurant management software (e.g., Toast, Upserve) |
| Lodging Management System (LMS) | Hotel management software (e.g., Opera, Cloudbeds) |
| Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS) | Gym management software (e.g., Mindbody, Zen Planner) |
| Mortuary Affairs Tracking System (MATS) | Case management software for funeral homes |
| Defense Travel System (DTS) | Corporate travel management software (e.g., Concur, Expensify) |
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