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23191 Career Guide

Air Force

23191: Motion Media Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Motion Media Specialist (23191)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 23191 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Computer Systems Analyst

Customer / Field

SOC 15-1211
High match

Your experience researching subject matter and coordinating with requesters to define project scope translates well to a Systems Analyst role, where understanding user needs and translating them into technical requirements is key. Your experience reviewing plans or scripts to determine resource requirements translates directly to a system analyst determining the scope and resources needed for IT projects.

Typical stack:

Software systems literacyProcess mappingRequirements gatheringSQLStakeholder communication

Technical Writer

Customer / Field

SOC 27-3023
Good match

Your experience in visual information editorial functions, including reviewing and editing materials, aligns with the responsibilities of a technical writer. You're accustomed to reducing complex information into sequences and assembling them in a proper order.

Typical stack:

Strong writingSoftware engineering literacy (read code, run examples)Static site generatorsInformation architectureEditorial process

UX Designer / Researcher

Product

SOC 15-1255
Moderate match

Your work determining camera angles, lighting, and special effects for visual media gives you a foundation in visual design principles. You can leverage this understanding of aesthetics and user experience to transition into UX design, where you'll focus on creating user-friendly and visually appealing digital interfaces.

Typical stack:

User research methodsWireframing and prototyping (Figma)Accessibility patternsInformation architectureStakeholder communication

IT Support Specialist (Help Desk)

Infrastructure

SOC 15-1232
Moderate match

Your experience performing operator maintenance on equipment and troubleshooting technical issues can be applied to IT support roles. Additionally, skills like situational awareness, procedural compliance, and pattern recognition are vital to providing good support.

Typical stack:

Windows and macOS troubleshootingActive Directory basicsTicketing systemsCustomer communicationDocumentation

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 23191 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Avid Media ComposerAdobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro
  • Pro ToolsAvid Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Audacity
  • Broadcast Camera SystemsProfessional broadcast camera systems (Sony, Panasonic, Canon)
  • Lighting Systems (e.g., ARRI, Kino Flo)Studio lighting equipment (ARRI, Kino Flo, Dracast)
  • Video Switchers (e.g., Ross Video, Blackmagic Design)Live production switchers (Ross, Blackmagic, NewTek TriCaster)
  • Character Generators (CG) (e.g., Chyron)On-screen graphics and titling software (Chyron, Vizrt, NewBlueFX)
  • Teleprompters (Various Models)Teleprompter software and hardware (e.g., ProPrompter, Parrot Teleprompter)
  • Aerial Camera Mounts and Stabilizers (Specific to aircraft)Gimbal systems for aerial videography (DJI Ronin, Freefly Movi)
  • Situational AwarenessQuickly assessing surroundings and understanding context
  • Team SynchronizationCollaborating with others and working towards a common goal
  • Resource OptimizationMaximizing the use of available resources to stay within budget
  • Pattern RecognitionSpotting inconsistencies and maintaining coherence in complex projects
  • Procedural ComplianceAdhering to established guidelines and regulations

Skills to Learn

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

IT systems and architecture basicsData analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)Software documentation tools (e.g., Sphinx, Doxygen)API documentation standardsUI/UX design principlesUser research methodologiesTicketing systems (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow)Operating systems and networking fundamentals

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 Programs

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 23191 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Videographer

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Multimedia Artist/Animator

$77K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender)Graphic design principlesStoryboarding

Broadcast Technician

$62K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FCC General Radiotelephone Operator LicenseNetworking fundamentalsSpecific broadcast equipment certifications

Film/Video Editor

$68K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced editing software skills (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)Color grading techniquesMotion graphics

Corporate Video Producer

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project managementClient communicationMarketing fundamentals

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 23191 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Motion Media Specialist, you constantly maintain situational awareness to capture critical visuals, adjusting camera angles, settings, and coordinating with pilots in aerial assignments to ensure you obtain the desired footage, even in dynamic environments.

This translates to the ability to quickly assess your surroundings and understand the context of a situation, a valuable skill in any fast-paced environment where adapting to changing conditions is crucial.

Team Synchronization

This role requires seamless coordination with diverse teams, from pilots during aerial shoots to producers, directors, and writers during production. You ensure everyone is aligned to achieve the desired outcome.

This reflects your ability to effectively collaborate with others, understand their roles, and work together harmoniously toward a common goal, essential for project management and team-based problem-solving.

Resource Optimization

You determine equipment requirements, manage budgets, and ensure resources are used efficiently, whether it's selecting the right camera for a specific shot or managing studio sets and props.

You have experience maximizing the use of available resources, making sure projects stay on track and within budget. This is a key asset in any organization that values efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying visual patterns and ensuring continuity in shots, lighting, and color balance are crucial parts of the role to deliver a cohesive final product.

Your trained eye can spot inconsistencies and maintain coherence in complex projects, which makes you a valuable asset to have in fields that require high attention to detail.

Procedural Compliance

Following strict protocols for camera operation, safety, and copyright observance is paramount. You ensure all visual information functions are performed ethically and legally.

You're skilled at adhering to established guidelines and regulations, ensuring that your work meets the highest standards of integrity and compliance, this skill is invaluable in roles requiring meticulous attention to detail.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Technical Writer

SOC 27-3042

You've been researching subject matter, writing captions and background material, and ensuring clarity and accuracy in your visual documentation. This experience directly translates to the skills needed to create clear, concise, and informative technical documentation for various industries.

Multimedia Artist/Animator (for Education)

SOC 27-1014

You've been involved in visual information production for educational purposes, which aligns with the creation of educational animations and multimedia content. You understand how to effectively communicate information through visual mediums, making you well-suited for this role.

Media Preservation Specialist

SOC 25-4013

You’ve been performing operator maintenance on equipment, determining appropriate recording methods, and ensuring the quality of visual information materials. Your experience is directly applicable to preserving and archiving various media formats for future generations.

UX/UI Designer

SOC 15-1255

You've been considering camera angles, lighting, and special effects, ensuring color compatibility and visual appeal. These skills are transferable to UX/UI design, where you'll focus on creating user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for digital products.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Visual Information Production Documentation (VIPD) Course, Defense Information School (DINFOS), Fort Meade, MD

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Communications, Television Production, or related field.

Topics Covered

  • Camera Operation and Techniques (ground and aerial)
  • Lighting Principles and Techniques
  • Audio Recording and Sound Distribution
  • Video Editing and Post-Production
  • Studio Production (set design, floor management)
  • Technical Directing and Switching
  • Visual Information Editorial Functions
  • Motion Media Systems Operation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)60% covered

Focus on business practices, legal considerations, and advanced artistic techniques specific to professional photography businesses. Review marketing, sales, and client management strategies.

Certified Video Production Professional (CVPP)70% covered

Study advanced video editing techniques, color grading workflows, and project management methodologies specific to professional video production environments.

Avid Certified Professional: Media Composer50% covered

Deepen knowledge of advanced Media Composer features, including scripting, complex effects, and collaboration workflows. Obtain hands-on experience with project management and troubleshooting.

Recommended Next Certifications

Adobe Certified Professional in Video DesignProject Management Professional (PMP)Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Avid Media ComposerAdobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro
Pro ToolsAvid Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Audacity
Broadcast Camera Systems (Various Models by Sony, Panasonic, Ikegami)Professional broadcast camera systems (Sony, Panasonic, Canon)
Lighting Systems (e.g., ARRI, Kino Flo)Studio lighting equipment (ARRI, Kino Flo, Dracast)
Video Switchers (e.g., Ross Video, Blackmagic Design)Live production switchers (Ross, Blackmagic, NewTek TriCaster)
Character Generators (CG) (e.g., Chyron)On-screen graphics and titling software (Chyron, Vizrt, NewBlueFX)
Teleprompters (Various Models)Teleprompter software and hardware (e.g., ProPrompter, Parrot Teleprompter)
Aerial Camera Mounts and Stabilizers (Specific to aircraft)Gimbal systems for aerial videography (DJI Ronin, Freefly Movi)

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