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7S071 Career Guide

Air Force

7S071: Special Investigations

Career transition guide for Air Force Special Investigations (7S071)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7S071 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Federal Agent (FBI, Homeland Security, DEA)

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific agency trainingLaw degree or advanced degree may be required for some positions

Corporate Investigator

$85K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry knowledge (e.g., finance, healthcare)Certifications such as Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Insurance Investigator

$70K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Insurance industry knowledgeClaims investigation techniques

Computer Forensics Investigator

$90K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Digital forensics certifications (e.g., EnCE, ACE)Cybersecurity expertise

Private Investigator

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State licensing (if required)Business development/marketing skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7S071 training built — and where they transfer.

Adversarial Thinking

This role requires anticipating the actions and motivations of criminals, spies, and other adversaries to proactively counter their activities and protect assets.

The ability to anticipate and strategize against potential threats or opposing forces, identifying vulnerabilities and developing countermeasures.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a constant awareness of the surrounding environment, potential threats, and ongoing investigations to make informed decisions and react effectively in dynamic situations.

The capacity to perceive and understand the environment, anticipate potential risks, and make informed decisions based on the evolving situation.

Procedural Compliance

Strict adherence to legal and regulatory procedures during investigations, evidence handling, and reporting to ensure the integrity of the process and admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings.

Meticulous adherence to established protocols, regulations, and guidelines to ensure accuracy, legality, and consistency in all actions.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying trends, anomalies, and connections in seemingly disparate pieces of information to uncover criminal activity, security threats, or personnel suitability issues.

The ability to discern meaningful patterns and relationships in complex data sets, enabling the identification of anomalies, trends, and potential risks or opportunities.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099.00

You've been trained to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and analyze complex information to uncover wrongdoing. Your experience in economic crime investigations directly translates to identifying and preventing fraudulent activities in financial institutions.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

Your dedication to procedural compliance and understanding of legal frameworks makes you an ideal candidate for ensuring that organizations adhere to regulations and ethical standards. You've been deeply involved with investigations and know how to follow procedures.

Corporate Security Analyst

SOC 13-2011.00

Your background in counterintelligence, force protection, and threat assessment makes you exceptionally well-suited to identify and mitigate security risks for corporations. You've been protecting the Air Force; now protect a business.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Force Special Investigations Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, GA

1,200 training hours30 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice, Police Science, or Security Administration

Topics Covered

  • Criminal Investigations
  • Economic Crime Investigations
  • Counterintelligence
  • Force Protection
  • Interview and Interrogation Techniques
  • Crime Scene Processing
  • Surveillance Operations
  • Computer Crime Investigations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)70% covered

While the military training covers investigation, interviewing, and evidence handling, the CFE requires specific knowledge of fraud examination methodology, financial transactions, and forensic accounting principles. Study these areas to fill the gaps.

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60% covered

The military training provides a strong foundation in security principles, risk assessment, and investigations. The CPP requires broader knowledge of physical security, personnel security, and crisis management. Focus on these areas.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)50% covered

The military training provides a solid understanding of security principles and incident response. The CISSP requires a broader and deeper understanding of information security domains, including access control, cryptography, and network security. Study these domains to pass the exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Case Support System (ACSS)Case Management Software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS)Background Check and Security Clearance Platforms (e.g., Sterling, Checkr)
DoD Forensic Toolkit (FTK)Digital Forensics Software (e.g., EnCase, Cellebrite)
Law Enforcement Information System (LEIS)Law Enforcement Data Systems (e.g., Nlets, Coplink)
Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) EquipmentPolygraph Equipment (e.g., Lafayette Instrument Company, Stoelting)
Tactical Surveillance EquipmentCovert Surveillance Technology (e.g., Hidden cameras, audio recorders)
Biometric Identification System for Access (BISA)Biometric access control systems (e.g., fingerprint scanners, facial recognition)

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