Specialty Summary. Performs and manages the collection, analysis, and forecast of atmospheric weather and space environmental conditions to enable decision superiority and application of land, air, space and cyberspace power across the full spectrum of military operations.
Duties and Responsibilities: Collect, analyze and integrate atmospheric and space environmental information into military decision-making processes. Observe, record, and transmit surface, upper air and space environment observations. Operate atmospheric and space-sensing instruments and computer workstations to interrogate data from weather radars, meteorological satellites, and products provided by military, national, and international weather agencies. Use a detailed understanding of the atmosphere and space environment to translate raw data into decision-quality environmental information. Issue advisories, watches and warnings to alert users of dangerous, inclement, or operationally significant terrestrial and space weather events. Understand war fighter tactics, techniques and procedures to maximize air, space, cyberspace combat power. Utilizes weather tactics, techniques, and procedures to integrate weather information into the decision-making process at all levels to mitigate and exploit weather impact on operations. Manage weather operations, ensure quality, and adapt resources to meet mission requirements.
Specialty Qualifications.
Knowledge. Knowledge of the following is mandatory: characteristics and principles of atmospheric weather and space environment; observation, analysis, prediction, and integration of weather and space environment information; operation and operator maintenance of fixed and deployable meteorological and space weather instruments and systems; operation and operator maintenance of communications and computer systems; use of weather products from operational and strategic centers; military weapons systems and decision-making processes; and combat field skills (ability to survive and operate on the battlefield and use of tactical equipment).
Education. For entry into this specialty, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Courses in physics, chemistry, earth sciences, geography, computer sciences, and mathematics are desirable.
Training. Completion of the following training is mandatory:
For award of AFSC 1W031, the weather initial skills course.
Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:
1W051. Qualification in and possessioing are mandatory as indicated: For entry into 1W0X1: Ability to speak distinctly. Visual acuity correctiblen of AFSC 1W031. Also, experience in collecting and analyzing atmospheric data, performing meteorological watch, preparing forecast products, and issuing weather watches, warnings, and advisories.
1W071. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1W051. Also, experience in forecasting local area and mesoscale weather features, determining weather effects on weapons systems, and preparing and delivering weather briefings and mission execution forecasts.
1W091. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1W071. Also, experience in scheduling personnel, providing technical leadership and training, tailoring unit capabilities, and managing weather resources to meet mission requirements.
Other. The following are mandatory as indicated: For entry into 1W0X1: Ability to speak distinctly. Visual acuity correctible to 20/20. For entry, award and retention of these AFSCs: Requires routine access to Secret material or similar environment. Awaing are mandatory as indicated: For entry into 1W0X1: Ability to speak distinctly. Visual acuity correctiblerd and retention of AFSCs requires completion of a current National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks and Credit (NACLC) according to AFI 31-501, Personnel Program Management. For award and retention of AFSCs 1W051/71/91, must maintain an Air Force Network License according to AFI 33‑115, Vol 2, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professionals. NOTE 1: Award of the 3-skill level without a completed NACLC is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to AFI 31-501. NOTE 2: Army Combat Skills training is mandatory for weather operations in support of Army missions.
