New Cohort Starts:

Donate

81190 Career Guide

Air Force

81190: Security Forces Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Security Forces Specialist (81190)

Translate Your 81190 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 81190 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Guard/Protective Service Worker

$45K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

State-specific security licensingCustomer service skills

Police Officer

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Completion of police academyPeace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificationAdvanced first aid/CPR certification

Security Systems Installer

$55K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Electronics trainingNetworking skillsVendor-specific certifications (e.g., Honeywell, Bosch)

Loss Prevention Specialist

$48K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Retail experienceInvestigative skillsConflict resolution training

Range Safety Officer

$42K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian firearms instructor certification (e.g., NRA)First aid/CPR certificationCustomer service experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 81190 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

SF personnel constantly scan their environment for threats, assess risks, and adapt their actions based on real-time information to protect personnel and resources in diverse and potentially hostile settings.

This translates to an ability to quickly assess dynamic situations, identify potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure in civilian environments.

Procedural Compliance

SF members adhere strictly to established protocols and procedures when safeguarding weapons, responding to incidents, and enforcing regulations, ensuring consistent and reliable execution of critical tasks.

This signifies a commitment to following guidelines and maintaining order, which is valuable in roles requiring adherence to standards and regulations.

Adversarial Thinking

SF personnel anticipate potential threats and vulnerabilities, proactively planning and implementing security measures to defend against hostile actions and protect assets.

This demonstrates the ability to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, a crucial skill in roles that require problem-solving and risk management.

Team Synchronization

SF members operate in coordinated teams during patrols, security operations, and emergency responses, requiring seamless communication and collaboration to achieve mission objectives effectively.

This translates to strong teamwork skills and the ability to coordinate effectively with others to achieve common goals in a collaborative work environment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-2000

You've been trained to meticulously follow procedures and enforce regulations in high-stakes environments. As a Compliance Officer, you'll use these skills to ensure organizations adhere to legal standards and internal policies. Your experience with security protocols and risk assessment will be invaluable in identifying and mitigating compliance risks.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You're accustomed to responding to crises and managing emergencies. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you will plan and coordinate responses to natural disasters or other emergencies. Your experience with security, risk assessment, and rapid response protocols makes you exceptionally well-prepared for this role.

Insurance Investigator

SOC 33-9032

You've developed keen observational skills and attention to detail through investigations and security operations. As an Insurance Investigator, you'll apply these skills to examine claims, detect fraud, and gather evidence. Your experience with interviewing, evidence collection, and security protocols will be highly transferable to this investigative role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Security Forces Academy, Lackland AFB, TX

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Basic Rifle Marksmanship
  • Law Enforcement Procedures
  • Security Tactics and Patrolling
  • Use of Force
  • Weapons Handling and Maintenance
  • Integrated Defense
  • Combatives
  • First Aid/CPR

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60% covered

Study business principles, security management, legal aspects, and enterprise security risk management.

Physical Security Professional (PSP)70% covered

Study the detailed aspects of physical security design, implementation, and ongoing assessment.

Recommended Next Certifications

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)Security Management Professional (SMP)Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
M240B Machine GunBelt-fed machine guns used for security and defense
M203 Grenade Launcher40mm Grenade Launcher
AN/PRC-152 RadioMotorola APX Series Two-Way Radios
Night Vision Goggles (NVG)FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) Systems
Integrated Entry Control System (IECS)Access Control and Alarm Monitoring Systems
Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS)Biometric Access Control Systems
Automated Installation Entry (AIE)License Plate Recognition (LPR) Systems

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 81190 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free