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61291 Career Guide

Air Force

61291: Services Apprentice

Career transition guide for Air Force Services Apprentice (61291)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 61291 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Hotel Manager

$75K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Revenue ManagementProperty Management Systems (PMS)

Restaurant Manager

$68K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Menu DevelopmentCost Control

Recreation Program Director

$62K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

CPR/First Aid CertificationProgram DevelopmentGrant Writing

Retail Store Manager

$65K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Loss PreventionVisual Merchandising

Logistics Manager

$85K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Supply Chain Management CertificationData Analysis

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 61291 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a Services Manager, you're constantly juggling the needs of various programs, from food service and lodging to recreation and mortuary affairs. You must quickly assess which areas require immediate attention based on demand, resource availability, and critical needs.

This translates directly to the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced civilian environment, ensuring critical tasks are addressed first and resources are allocated effectively.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for maximizing the use of appropriated funds and resources across diverse service areas. This includes efficient allocation of personnel, supplies, and equipment to ensure optimal performance and customer satisfaction within budgetary constraints.

Your experience in optimizing resources translates to a strong ability to manage budgets, reduce waste, and improve efficiency in any organization. You can identify opportunities to streamline processes and maximize the value of available resources.

Team Synchronization

Your role requires coordinating and supervising diverse teams across multiple service areas, ensuring seamless operation and collaboration. You are adept at aligning individual efforts to achieve common goals and maintaining high levels of team performance.

This translates to a strong ability to lead and coordinate teams effectively, fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone is working towards shared objectives. You can motivate individuals and build cohesive teams that deliver exceptional results.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of the overall operational environment, including customer needs, resource availability, and potential disruptions, is critical for effective service delivery. You must anticipate and respond to changing circumstances to ensure smooth operations.

Your keen sense of situational awareness means you can quickly assess complex situations, identify potential problems, and implement proactive solutions. You excel at anticipating challenges and adapting to changing environments, making you a valuable asset in any dynamic organization.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3012.00

You've been managing diverse service operations, including food service, lodging, and recreation, making you well-equipped to oversee the maintenance, repair, and operation of buildings and grounds in a civilian setting. Your resource management skills are directly transferable.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've honed resource optimization and rapid prioritization skills managing diverse services. A Logistics Coordinator role lets you leverage this to manage the flow of goods, supplies, and information, ensuring efficient operations within an organization.

Event Planner

SOC 13-1121.00

You've coordinated recreation and fitness programs, demonstrating your ability to plan and execute events. As an event planner, you’ll use your organizational and management skills to create memorable experiences for clients, managing all aspects from budgeting to vendor coordination.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Services Training, Fort Lee, VA

336 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Hospitality Management

Topics Covered

  • Food Service Management
  • Lodging Operations
  • Recreation Program Management
  • Fitness Center Operations
  • Mortuary Affairs Procedures
  • Services Readiness
  • Point of Sale (POS) Systems
  • Inventory Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)70% covered

Requires additional study on specific hospitality industry regulations, advanced guest service techniques, and revenue management strategies.

Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)60% covered

Needs to focus on current food safety regulations specific to the civilian sector, advanced techniques in food handling, and possibly local health codes.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Requires studying the PMBOK guide, formal project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall), and practicing project management tools and techniques in a civilian context.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Manager (CM)SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Restaurant management software (e.g., Toast, Square for Restaurants)
Lodging Management System (LMS)Property management systems (PMS) for hotels (e.g., Oracle Opera, Cloudbeds)
Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS)Gym management software (e.g., Mindbody, Zen Planner)
Mortuary Affairs Tracking System (MATS)Funeral home management software
Services Readiness Assessment Tool (SRAT)Business continuity planning software / risk assessment platforms
Government Purchase Card (GPC) Program Management toolsCorporate credit card management platforms (e.g., Concur, Expensify)

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