How To Become A Security Forces Member: What It Is and Career Path

What is a security forces member and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a security forces member. For example, did you know that they make an average of $17.21 an hour? That's $35,789 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 38,000 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreSecurity Forces MemberUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,789

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.58%

Asian 5.50%

Black or African American 12.08%

Hispanic or Latino 18.74%

Unknown 5.30%

White 56.79%

Gender

female 27.82%

male 72.18%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.4

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a security forces member

Explore security forces member education requirements

Most common security forces member degrees

Bachelor's

41.1 %

Associate

22.7 %

High School Diploma

19.4 %

Start to develop specific security forces member skills

Skills	Percentages
Patrol	21.62%
Metal Detectors	12.45%
Public Safety	11.51%
Law Enforcement	10.56%
Emergency Situations	7.38%

Complete relevant security forces member training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New security forces members learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a security forces member based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real security forces member resumes.

Research security forces member duties and responsibilities

Equip and knowledgeable about self-aid care, lifesaving procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Obtain multiple weapons certifications to include the M16, M4, M203, M249, and M240B.
Provide security for the USAF.
Ensure the security of DoD and U.S.A.F.

Prepare your security forces member resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your security forces member resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a security forces member resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable security forces member resume templates

Build a professional security forces member resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your security forces member resume.