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Air Force AFSC · Combat & Infantry

3P0X1 Security Forces

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

Security Forces specialists protect people, property, and resources on Air Force bases in the United States and overseas. They apply law enforcement and combat tactics, write tickets, and investigate incidents on base.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Minimum ASVAB: G 30

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: dafecd-atch4-2025-10-31 (source date 2025-10). Policy applicability has not been established.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Skill levels: 3P011 helper · 3P031 apprentice · 3P051 journeyman · 3P071 craftsman

Core Skills

  • Weapon system and physical security
  • Presidential and executive protection
  • Base defense and area security operations

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Security Guards

Military physical security, base defense, and area security duties transfer directly to protecting civilian premises and property.

How to prepare: Check your state's guard licensing process and identify an approved training provider before applying. Most states require licensing, generally including a minimum age of 18, a background check, and training; armed posts usually require weapons licensing and stricter screening, while employers typically seek a high school diploma or equivalent.

What the civilian work involves
  • Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
  • Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
  • Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Military law-and-order duties provide directly relevant experience for civilian patrol work focused on maintaining order and protecting people and property.

How to prepare: Ask a receiving agency's recruiter to review your military experience against its appointment and academy requirements. Military service does not establish appointment or exemption: education requirements range from a high school diploma to a college degree, agencies apply physical and personal screening, and most officers complete an agency academy and on-the-job training.

What the civilian work involves
  • Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
  • Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Microsoft Word

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • Associate Protection Professional (APP)

    Build on operational security experience with security fundamentals, business operations, risk management, and response management.

    Eligibility and preparation: At least one year of compensated security experience, potentially reduced to six months with an approved related certification, and prior full-time employment in a security-related role; current employment is not required.

    For: Security Guards

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (7 documents)
  1. DAFECD, 30 Apr 26: SECURITY FORCES (3P0X1)

    [1] Specialty Summary section "SECURITY FORCES"; normalized cached text lines 11695-11715; explicit AFSC match for 3P0X1

    Supports: Weapon system and physical security, Presidential and executive protection, Base defense and area security operations, Security Guards (O*NET 33-9032.00), Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (O*NET 33-3051.00)

  2. O*NET: Security Guards

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Security Guards (O*NET 33-9032.00)

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers

    [3] How to Become One; Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations; page dated 2026-08-27, retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Security Guards (O*NET 33-9032.00)

  4. O*NET: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    [4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (O*NET 33-3051.00)

  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives

    [5] How to Become a Police Officer or Detective; retrieved 23 September 2026

    Supports: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (O*NET 33-3051.00)

  6. COOL credential mapping: Associate Protection Professional (APP)

    [6] 3P0X1 cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Associate Protection Professional (APP)

  7. ASIS International Board Certification Handbook, updated 4 August 2026

    [7] Page 10, APP Board Certification in Security Fundamentals; page 8, eligibility requirements and preparation recommendation (separate passages)

    Supports: Associate Protection Professional (APP)

Defense contractor jobs for 3P0X1

Predecessor codes

Historical codes with documented links to 3P0X1. Each history page explains the change.

81110Security Helper81130Apprentice Security Specialist81170Security Supervisor

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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