Education and Training

What does the Education and Training career field do?

Conducts education and training (E&T) tasks for maintenance, operations, and support training; education services; curriculum development; and instructor activities. Develops, delivers, and evaluates E&T programs and oversees E&T activities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 157000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develops, delivers, and evaluates E&T programs. Applies instructional system development (ISD) process. Collects and analyzes job performance data and conducts occupational analysis surveys. Compares individual knowledge and skills with job standards and identifies E&T requirements. Develops and validates standards. Determines adequacy of existing courses and programs. Screens and validates formal E&T requirements. Develops objectives to meet Air Force academic, vocational, and technical standards. Determines most cost-effective method to deliver E&T. Sequences objectives; selects instructional design, method, and media; and identifies resource needs. Creates materials to support objectives. Develops tests and standards to measure individual abilities. Evaluates E&T programs, recommends actions to correct deficiencies, and oversees evaluations and surveys. Conducts, validates, and revises programs and instruction. Coordinates user feedback with career field managers and E&T providers and monitors corrective actions. Proctors exams. Maintains and controls testing materials.
• Administers E&T programs. Serves as E&T program manager. Consults on ISD process and career field E&T plans (CFETP). Advises on E&T materials and services. Conducts work center visits and organizes programs to develop and conduct job site training. Advises on unit and individual E&T progress. Identifies E&T providers, capabilities, and resources, and ensures availability of materials. Recommends revisions to E&T programs and CFETPs. Helps obtain and analyze history of E&T achievements, establish goals, and enroll in classes, courses, and programs. Prepares and maintains records, files, and materials. Maintains liaison with activities conducting, scheduling, or supporting E&T requirements. Coordinates and schedules events and facility use. Requests course quotas; monitors formal E&T process; and maintains records of course attendance, withdrawals, completions, and costs. Manages automated systems and products, measurement tools, multimedia and maintenance qualification training programs, and the extension course program. Coordinates contingency task training.
• Oversees E&T activities. Organizes E&T programs to achieve educational goals and mission requirements. Prepares directives to manage and control E&T programs. Implements policies and coordinates changes. Develops and manages reporting procedures. Maintains E&T data and provides statistical reports on programs and operations. Monitors progress, identifies problem areas, determines causes, recommends corrective action, and provides counsel. Organizes and controls facilities, supplies, and equipment to support E&T needs. Forecasts E&T requirements, determines validity, and assesses cost. Participates in utilization and training workshops, training planning teams, and training planning groups.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: principles, policies, and procedures of Air Force E&T programs; interviewing and counseling techniques; training techniques and instruction methods; task analysis procedures, learning process, curriculum development, training evaluations, and E&T systems and products; effective writing skills; editing practices; instructional media application, training reporting, program and curriculum validation, and implementation procedures; training program management; scheduling training events and facilities; conducting assistance visits and training meetings; work center and individual job qualification standard development; education institution registration requirements; military personnel classification system and policies; application of communicative interpersonal skills; and distance learning concepts. Familiarization with computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is recommended.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or higher education level is mandatory. Academic courses in English grammar and composition, speech, psychology, guidance, and sociology are desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 3F231, completion of the basic E&T course is mandatory.

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

• 3F251. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3F231. Experience conducting or developing education or training programs, and qualification in assigned tasks in education services or unit, base, or maintenance training duty positions (if applicable).
• 3F271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3F251. Experience conducting or developing education or training programs, and qualification in assigned tasks in education services or unit, base, or maintenance training duty positions (if applicable).
• 3F291. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3F271. Experience conducting or developing education or training programs, and qualification in assigned tasks in education services or unit, base, or maintenance training duty positions (if applicable).

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

For entry into this specialty:

Prior qualification in any AFSC at the 5-skill level or higher. Note: For ARC, member must hold 5-level a minimum of two years. 6. For AFRC, retraining applicants must shadow a 3F271 who has been appointed by the Base Functional Manager (BFM) for 12 hours (3 IDT periods). The hours a member shadows do not need to happen consecutively, but all hours must be completed before the BFM endorses the interview/recommendation letter. 7. Minimum grade E-4. 8. For RegAF, retraining applicants must shadow a 3F251 or 3F271 who has been appointed by the Base Functional Manager (BFM) for 5 duty days. The days a member shadows do not need to happen consecutively, but all 5 days must be completed before the BFM endorses the interview/recommendation letter. 9. Shadowing topics will include: OJT rosters, TPM briefing, training systems updates, CDC Administration, workcenter visits, Microsoft office applications. 10. Members who have performed Additional Duty Unit Training Manager (ADUTM) duties within the last year are exempt (documented on BFM recommendation letter). 11. If a BFM determines that a prospective trainee is not a good fit for the career field, and does not intend to recommend them for retraining into the 3F2X1 AFSC, the BFM does not have to coordinate the job shadow days. 12. For RegAF and AFRC, written recommendation for retraining approval from the Base 3F2X1 Functional Manager and retraining package (to include retraining recommendation memorandums) must be reviewed and approved by the Air Force 3F2XX Career Field Manager. Note: AFRC retraining packages are approved by respective AFRC 3F2 MAJCOM Functional Manager. 13. Retraining into the 3F2X1 career field within the ARC is restricted to the grades of E-6 and below. Note, for the ARC, members assigned to the Wing 3F2 Functional Manager position or Base Training Manager position must have a minimum of 24 months as a 3F271. 14. See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements. 15. For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, ability to speak distinctly. 16. 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. 17. 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 $28,900–$185,950 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Administrative Services Managers: $98,890
• Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: $55,350
• Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary: $90,340
• Airfield Operations Specialists: $51,330
• Animal Trainers: $31,520
• Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary: $89,220
• Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary: $90,880
• Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary: $78,840
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary: $69,690
• Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary: $94,520
• Audio and Video Technicians: $47,920
• Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $85,600
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary: $88,010
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School: $62,270
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $55,620
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School: $62,460
• Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary: $80,400
• Chief Executives: $185,950
• Coaches and Scouts: $36,330
• Communications Teachers, Postsecondary: $71,030
• Compliance Managers: $116,350
• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $85,540
• Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary: $63,560
• Data Entry Keyers: $34,440
• Database Administrators: $98,860
• Economics Teachers, Postsecondary: $107,260
• Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare: $49,160
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: $98,490
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary: $97,500
• Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $65,440
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors: $58,120
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $59,800
• Elementary School Teachers: $60,940
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary: $103,600
• English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary: $69,000
• Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $84,740
• Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: $40,510
• Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary: $72,220
• File Clerks: $34,090
• Fitness and Wellness Coordinators: $116,350
• Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary: $69,920
• Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $87,400
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Geography Teachers, Postsecondary: $82,330
• Health Education Specialists: $56,500
• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary: $99,090
• History Teachers, Postsecondary: $76,890
• Instructional Coordinators: $66,970
• Intelligence Analysts: $86,940
• Kindergarten Teachers: $57,860
• Law Teachers, Postsecondary: $116,430
• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists: $60,820
• Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $71,580
• Library Technicians: $37,010
• Management Analysts: $87,660
• Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $73,650
• Medical and Health Services Managers: $104,280
• Middle School Teachers: $60,810
• Operations Research Analysts: $86,200
• Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary: $76,160
• Physics Teachers, Postsecondary: $90,400
• Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $85,760
• Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary: $78,180
• Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondar: $66,290
• Secondary School Teachers: $62,870
• Self-Enrichment Teachers: $39,960
• Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary: $71,570
• Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary: $75,610
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten: $60,620
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School: $61,820
• Special Education Teachers, Preschool: $61,400
• Statistical Assistants: $50,360
• Survey Researchers: $59,870
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians: $46,200
• Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary: $36,250
• Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School: $28,900
• Teaching Assistants, Special Education: $28,900
• Training and Development Managers: $115,640
• Training and Development Specialists: $62,700
• Tutors: $40,590