Live · Guide v1.078170 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262027 Cohort · Applications Open

USAF · 78170Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.78170.R.04

78170 · USAF · Enlisted

Services
Apprentice.

Air Force 78170 (Services Apprentice). 280 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $68K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours280DoD pipeline

ACE creditACE3 semester hours in Hospitality Management (estimated)

Tech roles3mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage3/6direct + partial

This career guide was generated using AI analysis of military job code data. Salary figures, certification coverage percentages, and career matches are estimates — verify with official sources before making career decisions.

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 3

Industry tech roles your 78170 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Sort · Match descending

/ 02 · Skill Bridge

The gap, named.

What 78170 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have04

01
APF/NAF Financial Management→ Financial data analysis using tools like Excel and SQL
02
Manpower Programming and Execution System (MPES)→ Workforce management software (e.g., Workday, Oracle HCM)
03
Resource Optimization→ Agile project management methodologies
04
Situational Awareness→ Risk assessment and mitigation in software development

To learn06

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Project management frameworks (e.g., Agile, Scrum)+Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)+Systems analysis and design methodologies+Data modeling and database design principles

How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.

See VWC Programs →

/ 03 · Civilian Pathways

Where your code lands.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5

P.01

Hotel Manager

$75K

High match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Hospitality Management Certification
— Revenue Management
— Customer Service Training

P.02

Human Resources Manager

$85K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— SHRM Certification (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP)
— Labor Law Knowledge
— Employee Relations Experience

P.03

Emergency Management Director

$80K

Good match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Emergency Management Certification (e.g., CEM)
— Disaster Planning Experience
— Grant Writing

P.04

Logistics Manager

$78K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Supply Chain Management Certification (e.g., CSCP)
— Inventory Management Systems
— Data Analysis

P.05

Recreation Center Director

$68K

High match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— CPR/First Aid Certification
— Program Development
— Budget Management

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 78170 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Resource Optimization

Managing budgets and resources across various programs like food service, lodging, recreation, and mortuary affairs, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization.

Transfers to

Applying strategic thinking to allocate and manage resources effectively, maximizing output while minimizing waste.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly assessing and prioritizing tasks and resources during contingency operations, ensuring essential services like feeding, lodging, and casualty reporting are maintained.

Transfers to

Swiftly evaluating situations and prioritizing actions to address urgent needs and maintain operational effectiveness in dynamic environments.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Coordinating and synchronizing diverse teams across multiple service programs to ensure seamless operations and effective support to the total force.

Transfers to

Orchestrating diverse teams to achieve common goals, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.

S.04

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a constant awareness of the operational environment, including manpower, equipment availability, and potential threats, to adapt and respond effectively.

Transfers to

Continuously monitoring and understanding the environment to anticipate changes and make informed decisions.

/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches

Roles the recruiter won't suggest.

Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been managing diverse teams and resources under pressure, developing and executing contingency plans. This translates perfectly to coordinating emergency responses and ensuring community safety during crises. Your experience in resource optimization and rapid prioritization will be invaluable.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

Your experience in overseeing diverse services like lodging, food service, and mortuary affairs has honed your logistical skills. As a Logistics Manager, you’ll use your expertise in resource allocation, supply chain management, and process improvement to optimize the flow of goods and services within an organization.

Adjacent · Match

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3013.00

You've been responsible for maintaining facilities, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with standards. This makes you an excellent fit for a Facilities Manager role, where you'll oversee the maintenance, operations, and improvements of buildings and grounds, ensuring they meet the needs of the occupants.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy