81190 Career Guide
81190: Security Forces Specialist
Career transition guide for Air Force Security Forces Specialist (81190)
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Real industry tech roles your 81190 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Security Engineer
Security
Your experience safeguarding weapons systems and facilities translates directly to security engineering. Your training in Integrated Defense and handling communications equipment provides a solid foundation for learning network security and vulnerability management.
Typical stack:
SOC Analyst
Security
As a Security Forces Specialist, you have experience in detecting unauthorized personnel and activities, implementing security reporting systems, and responding to incidents. These skills are directly applicable to a Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst role, where you would monitor and analyze security events, investigate potential threats, and respond to security incidents.
Typical stack:
Systems Administrator
Infrastructure
Your experience operating and maintaining communications equipment, intrusion detection systems, and other special-purpose equipment provides a foundation for systems administration. Your experience with physical security systems like Integrated Entry Control Systems (IECS) and Automated Installation Entry (AIE) gives you insight into how those systems connect to IT infrastructure.
Typical stack:
IT Support Specialist (Help Desk)
Infrastructure
Your experience with law enforcement procedures, traffic control, and incident response translates to providing technical support to computer users. Your first aid/CPR training demonstrates an ability to remain calm under pressure, and your experience with communications equipment means you are comfortable troubleshooting technical issues.
Typical stack:
Skills You Already Have
Concrete bridges from 81190 experience to tech-industry practice.
- Weapons Handling and Maintenance→ Understanding of hardware systems and diagnostics.
- Security Tactics and Patrolling→ Situational awareness and threat detection.
- Law Enforcement Procedures→ Incident response and procedural compliance.
- Integrated Entry Control System (IECS)→ Understanding of Access Control and Alarm Monitoring Systems.
- Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS)→ Understanding of Biometric Access Control Systems
- Automated Installation Entry (AIE)→ Understanding of License Plate Recognition (LPR) Systems
- AN/PRC-152 Radio→ Motorola APX Series Two-Way Radios
Skills to Learn
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not generic.
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code accelerates the parts we teach — software engineering fundamentals, web development, AI tooling. For everything else above, the path is doable independently with the resources we link to.
See VWC ProgramsCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 81190 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Security Guard/Protective Service Worker
Skills to develop:
Police Officer
Skills to develop:
Security Systems Installer
Skills to develop:
Loss Prevention Specialist
Skills to develop:
Range Safety Officer
Skills to develop:
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 13-2000You'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 11-9161You'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 33-9032You'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
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
Study business principles, security management, legal aspects, and enterprise security risk management.
Study the detailed aspects of physical security design, implementation, and ongoing assessment.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| M240B Machine Gun | Belt-fed machine guns used for security and defense |
| M203 Grenade Launcher | 40mm Grenade Launcher |
| AN/PRC-152 Radio | Motorola 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 |
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