Services

What does the Services career field do?

Manages and directs Force Support programs, operations, and retail operations. Supervises and works in appropriated fund (APF) and Food 2.0 food service activities; fitness and sports programs; community support functions; recreation; Force Support readiness programs; contingency quarters; laundry; mortuary affairs program; and non-appropriated fund (NAF) operations while in-garrison and in deployed environments. Operates and supervises automated information management systems. Deploys and employs in support of theater operation plans, contingency operations, natural and man-made disasters. Knowledge and proficiency to operate in hostile environments created by terrorism, sabotage or chemical, biological, or conventional warfare. Related DoD Occupational Subgroups: 180000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Manages Force Support Sustainment operations. Improves work methods and procedures to ensure efficient operation and customer satisfaction. Executes customer service and support programs. Resolves customer complaints. Applies accounting principles to control resources. Inspects and evaluates Force Support activities. Determines resource availability, pricing and merchandise trends, inventory levels and safeguarding procedures. Maintains liaisons with civilian industry to keep abreast of current trends, product development, and improved service techniques. Evaluates contractor performance in outsourced Services functions. Determines APF and NAF budget requirements. Performs NAF financial management functions. Requisitions and accounts for subsistence, supplies, and equipment. Identifies facility requirements and conducts surveys to determine facility renovation, construction, and modernization. Develops capital expenditures programs for NAF and APF facilities. Establishes equipment layout, and operation and maintenance procedures.
• Operates food service activities. Plans, prepares, and adjusts menus within a food service activity. Performs culinary duties. Supervises and manages Dining Facilities, Flight Kitchens, Alert Facilities, Small (MUNS) Sites, and Missile Alert Facility Feeding Operations (MAFFO), Kiosks, and Provisions on Demand. Manages subsistence distribution, warehouse, and logistical functions. Operates fixed, bare base, missile alert and portable facilities and equipment.
• Executes fitness and sports programs. Conducts and oversees fitness assessments according to Air Force policy. Trains and advises unit fitness program managers and physical training leaders. Conducts fitness improvement training programs. Maintains close liaison with commanders and unit fitness managers on the Air Force Fitness Program. Conducts personal fitness training and develops individual and group exercise regimens. Explains concepts of fitness requirements. Demonstrates proper conditioning procedures, weight training and aerobic equipment techniques.
• Performs recreation programming and community support functions. Plans and provides and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs and activities. Performs marketing and advertising for community support functions. Operates MWR functions. Executes directed and self-directed programs and events.
• Maintains unit readiness and plans program. Conducts capability readiness and unit type code readiness reporting. Oversees home station readiness training. Oversees base support plan and continuity of operations plan program management. Performs unit deployment manager responsibilities. Operates unit control center (UCC) command and control operations.
• Establishes and manages contingency quarter’s operations. Determines lodgment of inbound personnel. Maintains locator system. Monitors contingency quarter’s occupancy status and determines availability of transient quarters.
• Performs mortuary affairs administration functions. Performs mortuary operational support. Conducts, trains, and supervises teams for the search and recovery of human remains. Arranges for transporting and disposition of remains. Ensures mortuary entitlements, escorts, and military honors are arranged. Establishes and maintains mortuary case files.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: accounting procedures; management principles; merchandising; marketing; customer service; automated information systems; use of business machines; food service facility operations; subsistence management; operational ration requisition and issue procedures; menu forecasting; contingency quarters; fitness, sports, and recreation program development; personnel management; APF and NAF budgetary sources, procedures and processes; facility and equipment maintenance procedures; basic business administration concepts; retail operations; responsibilities for mortuary affairs, and search and recovery procedures; responsibilities for lost, damaged, stolen, or destroyed property; and operation of readiness and plans.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in business arithmetic, accounting, computers, physical education, and typing is desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 3F131, completion of the Services Apprentice course is mandatory.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of AFSC indicated:

• 3F151. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3F131. Also, experience in functions such as preparing, cooking, baking, presenting, and serving food; instructing, planning, officiating, or directing athletic activities; planning, organizing, and conducting recreation programs; securing supplies, facilities, and performers; proper use and maintenance of recreation supplies and equipment; community support functions; unit readiness programs; and APF and NAF budgetary processes and procedures.
• 3F171. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3F151. Also, experience performing or supervising food service functions or food preparation, managing fitness and sports programs and activities, recreation and community support operations and programs; managing mortuary programs; managing unit readiness programs; managing APF and NAF budgetary sources, procedures, and processes.
• 3F191. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3F171. Also, experience managing and operating Services programs such as food service, fitness and sports, community support, readiness, mortuary, and resource management operations.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty, see attachment 4 for entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs:
• Ability to speak distinctly.
• Never been convicted by courts-martial.
• Never been convicted and sentenced to confinement by a civilian court.
• No record of disciplinary action for financial irresponsibility, shoplifting, larceny, petty larceny, or theft.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs:
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security. Note: Retraining into the 3F1 Career Field is limited to E-6 and below for the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. Exceptions to policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the component 3F1 Career Field Functional Manager. Only individuals who have obtained the 9- skill level in the 3F1 AFSC may be selected for 3F100 Key, Command, and Joint (KCJ) and 3F100 above-wing level positions in the Air Force Reserve. Air National Guard Specific NOTE: Air National Guard members must have three years of previous services experience as a 3F1XX in order to occupy the SMSgt/E-8 3F1 Base Services Manager position. This requirement will not be considered for a waiver or exception to policy. Note for ARC Only: Refer to the 3F Introduction section for FSS SEL position information.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $23,860–$116,350 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Administrative Services Managers: $98,890
• Bakers: $29,400
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $55,620
• Cashiers: $25,020
• Chefs and Head Cooks: $53,380
• Concierges: $32,380
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria: $28,650
• Cooks, Private Household: $32,630
• Cooks, Restaurant: $28,800
• Coroners: $71,100
• Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: $40,510
• Fast Food and Counter Workers: $23,860
• File Clerks: $34,090
• First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $34,570
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers: $42,040
• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers: $51,010
• First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: $41,580
• Fitness and Wellness Coordinators: $116,350
• Floral Designers: $29,140
• Food Batchmakers: $32,710
• Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: $33,010
• Food Preparation Workers: $26,070
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant: $25,910
• Food Service Managers: $56,590
• Funeral Attendants: $29,150
• Funeral Home Managers: $74,200
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks: $25,490
• Interior Designers: $57,060
• Lodging Managers: $56,670
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: $51,560
• Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers: $54,100
• Parts Salespersons: $32,460
• Receptionists and Information Clerks: $31,110
• Recreation Workers: $28,440
• Retail Salespersons: $27,080
• Tour Guides and Escorts: $29,460
• Travel Agents: $42,350