New Cohort Starts:

Donate

0306 Career Guide

Marine Corps

0306: Gunner

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Gunner (0306)

Translate Your 0306 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 0306 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Weapons Training Instructor

$75K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian firearms certifications (e.g., NRA)Adult education methodologies

Corporate Security Manager

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP)Security management software proficiencyOSHA safety standards

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)Local emergency management protocols

Technical Writer (Defense/Aerospace)

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Technical writing certificationSpecific industry software knowledge (e.g., Mil-STD documentation)Understanding of defense contracting processes

Range Safety Officer

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian range safety officer certificationKnowledge of local and federal firearms regulations

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 0306 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a Gunner, you develop a deep understanding of how various weapon systems, personnel, and fire support elements interact within a battalion. You anticipate the effects of these interactions and optimize their deployment for maximum effectiveness.

This ability to understand complex systems and predict outcomes translates directly into roles requiring strategic planning and problem-solving. You can analyze business processes, identify potential bottlenecks, and implement solutions to improve efficiency.

Resource Optimization

You are entrusted with optimizing the use of weapons, ammunition, and personnel to achieve mission objectives. This involves assessing needs, allocating resources effectively, and adapting plans based on changing circumstances.

Your experience in resource optimization makes you an ideal candidate for roles where efficient resource allocation is critical. You can excel in project management, logistics, or supply chain management, ensuring that resources are used effectively to meet goals.

Situational Awareness

As a Gunner, you maintain a high level of situational awareness, constantly assessing the battlefield environment, understanding enemy threats, and anticipating potential challenges. This allows you to make informed decisions under pressure and provide sound advice to commanders.

Your keen situational awareness allows you to quickly grasp complex situations and make informed decisions in dynamic environments. This skill is highly valuable in fields like risk management, security consulting, or emergency management, where anticipating and mitigating potential threats is paramount.

After-Action Analysis

You are responsible for conducting thorough after-action reviews to identify lessons learned and improve future training and operations. This involves analyzing performance data, gathering feedback from participants, and developing recommendations for improvement.

Your experience in after-action analysis makes you well-suited for roles that require continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. You can excel in quality assurance, process improvement, or performance management, where you can analyze data, identify areas for improvement, and implement solutions to enhance performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051

You've been analyzing complex combat situations and predicting outcomes your entire career. As a Business Intelligence Analyst, you'll leverage your analytical skills to interpret market trends, customer behavior, and financial data to inform strategic business decisions. Your experience with system modeling and resource optimization will be invaluable in identifying opportunities for growth and improving business performance.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161

You've honed your situational awareness and rapid prioritization skills in high-pressure environments. As an Emergency Management Director, you'll use these skills to develop and implement emergency response plans, coordinate disaster relief efforts, and ensure community preparedness. Your experience in resource optimization and team synchronization will be critical in effectively managing resources and coordinating personnel during emergencies.

Training and Development Manager

SOC 11-3131

You've spent years teaching and mentoring soldiers on weapons systems and combat tactics. As a Training and Development Manager, you'll leverage your experience to design and deliver training programs that enhance employee skills and improve organizational performance. Your ability to assess training needs, develop curricula, and evaluate program effectiveness will be highly valued in this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Infantry Weapons Officer Course, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Military Science

Topics Covered

  • Advanced gunnery skills
  • Battalion weapons integration
  • Surface Danger Zone (SDZ) development
  • Range design and management
  • Fire support planning and execution
  • Mortar and artillery integration
  • Scout sniper employment
  • Simulation training program management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Training Professional (CTP)70% covered

Requires study of adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and evaluation techniques specific to corporate or civilian training environments.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)30% covered

Requires study of HR competencies such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, compensation & benefits, and HR compliance.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltCertified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
M2 .50 Caliber Machine GunHeavy industrial machine gun (used in mining, construction)
M240B 7.62mm Machine GunHigh-powered automatic rifle (used for hunting or sport shooting)
M252 81mm Mortar SystemLarge-caliber projectile launch systems (used in avalanche control)
Javelin Anti-Tank Missile SystemPrecision guided munition systems (used in demolition or construction)
M4/M16 Rifle with Aiming Devices (e.g., ACOG, EOTech)AR-15 style rifle with optical sights (used in sport shooting and hunting)
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Fire control system or ballistics calculator software
Call for Fire Trainer (CFFT)Artillery simulation software

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 0306 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free