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78130 Career Guide

Air Force

78130: Services Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Services Specialist (78130)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 78130 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Hotel/Resort Manager

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Hospitality management certificationsRevenue management systems

Human Resources Manager

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationHRIS software proficiency

Management Analyst

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Consulting experienceData analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, SQL)

Emergency Management Director

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency Management certificationIncident Command System (ICS) training

Recreation Director

$68K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)Fundraising and grant writing

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 78130 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

This role involves managing and allocating resources across various programs like food service, lodging, recreation, and mortuary affairs, ensuring efficient use of manpower, funds, and equipment.

This translates to efficiently managing budgets, personnel, and materials in a civilian setting, making sure projects stay on track and within budget while maximizing productivity.

Team Synchronization

You're leading and coordinating diverse teams across multiple service programs, ensuring everyone works together effectively to achieve common goals in both peace and wartime operations.

This means you excel at coordinating efforts across different departments or teams in a civilian organization, fostering collaboration and ensuring smooth operations.

Procedural Compliance

This role requires strict adherence to regulations, policies, and standards governing various programs, from financial standards to Airman and Family Programs.

Your meticulous approach to following protocols translates to ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies in a civilian organization.

Situational Awareness

You are responsible for maintaining awareness of the operational environment, including resource availability, personnel readiness, and potential risks in both peacetime and contingency operations.

In a civilian setting, this means you can quickly assess and understand complex situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions to mitigate risks and improve outcomes.

After-Action Analysis

This role involves assessing organizational performance, documenting findings, and recommending process improvements based on past experiences and outcomes.

You can analyze past projects or events, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in future endeavors.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been deeply involved in contingency planning and operational readiness. This experience gives you a solid foundation for coordinating responses to emergencies and disasters, developing preparedness plans, and ensuring community safety.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've honed skills in resource allocation, inventory management, and process optimization. This makes you exceptionally qualified to manage the flow of goods, materials, and information in a supply chain, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You're adept at enforcing regulations, conducting audits, and ensuring adherence to policies. Your background makes you well-suited to ensuring that organizations comply with legal and ethical standards, mitigating risks and maintaining integrity.

Business Operations Manager

SOC 11-1011.00

Your experience in managing diverse service programs, overseeing financial standards, and implementing strategic plans has equipped you to excel in optimizing business processes, improving efficiency, and driving organizational success.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Services Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, TX

330 training hours8 weeks3 semester hours in Food Service Management, 2 semester hours in Hospitality Management

Topics Covered

  • Food Service Management
  • Lodging Operations
  • Recreation and Fitness Program Management
  • Mortuary Affairs Procedures
  • APF and NAF Financial Management
  • Customer Service Standards
  • Contingency Operations Support

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Hospitality Professional (CHP)70% covered

Requires additional focus on front desk operations, housekeeping management, and specific hospitality software systems.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)60% covered

Requires study of employment law, HR strategic planning, and talent management best practices.

Project Management Professional (PMP)50% covered

Needs focused study on the PMBOK guide, including all project management process groups and knowledge areas, plus practical application of project management tools and techniques.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)Change Management Professional (CMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Business Services System (ABSS)Restaurant and retail management software (e.g., Toast, Square)
Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS II)Gym and fitness center management software (e.g., Mindbody, Zen Planner)
Manpower Programming and Execution System (MPES)Workforce management software (e.g., Workday, Oracle HCM)
Base-Level Lodging System (BLS)Hotel Property Management Systems (PMS) (e.g., Opera, RoomKeyPMS)
Air Force Training Record and Information Management (TRIM)Learning Management Systems (LMS) (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard)
Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) Tracking SystemsEmergency Management Software (e.g., Juvare, Veoci)
Services Readiness Assessment Tool (SRAT)Business Continuity Planning Software (e.g., Fusion Risk Management, Archer IRM)

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