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0331 Career Guide

Marine Corps

0331: Machine Gunner

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Machine Gunner (0331)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 0331 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Guard/Officer

$35K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State-required security licenseFirst Aid/CPR certification

Police Officer

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Police academy trainingPeace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificationCriminal justice education

Heavy Equipment Operator

$55K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)Equipment-specific certificationsOSHA safety training

Construction Manager

$98K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)Construction management degree or courseworkBlueprint readingOSHA safety standards

Range Safety Officer

$45K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian firearms instructor certificationFirst Aid/CPR certificationRange safety certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 0331 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Machine gunners must constantly scan their surroundings, identifying potential threats, friendly positions, and changes in the battlefield landscape to provide effective fire support and maintain unit safety.

The ability to maintain a high level of awareness of the surrounding environment, enabling proactive identification of potential risks and opportunities in dynamic situations.

Rapid Prioritization

In combat, machine gunners must quickly assess multiple targets, prioritize them based on threat level and mission objectives, and engage them in the most efficient order.

The capability to swiftly evaluate competing demands, prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, and allocate resources effectively to meet critical deadlines.

Team Synchronization

Machine gunners operate as part of a team, coordinating their actions with other members of their squad, platoon, and company to achieve common objectives. This requires clear communication, mutual support, and a shared understanding of the mission.

The ability to seamlessly integrate individual efforts within a team environment, fostering collaboration, communication, and shared goals to achieve collective success.

Procedural Compliance

Machine gunners must adhere to strict procedures for weapons handling, maintenance, and target engagement to ensure safety and effectiveness. This includes following established protocols, checklists, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The discipline to consistently follow established guidelines, regulations, and protocols to maintain quality, safety, and compliance in a structured environment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Construction Site Supervisor

SOC 47-1011

You've been responsible for the tactical employment of heavy weaponry and maintaining situational awareness in high-pressure environments, giving you the leadership skills to manage construction crews and ensure projects are completed safely and efficiently. Your experience with procedural compliance translates directly to adhering to safety regulations and building codes.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You've developed critical rapid prioritization skills and the ability to perform effectively in degraded-mode operations. This will serve you well in coordinating emergency response efforts, assessing damage, and allocating resources during crises. You're a natural at remaining calm under pressure.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 13-1081

You've managed the employment of machine guns in various combat situations, requiring logistical coordination and resource optimization. You're adept at managing complex supply chains, coordinating transportation, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods.

Security Consultant

SOC 13-1199

You've been trained to identify potential threats and assess vulnerabilities. As a security consultant, you'll analyze security systems, conduct risk assessments, and develop security plans for businesses and organizations. Your background in adversarial thinking and situational awareness makes you uniquely qualified to anticipate and mitigate security risks.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Marine Combat Training (MCT), Camp Lejeune; Machine Gunner Course, Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Geiger

340 training hours8 weeksUp to 3 semester hours in Weapons Systems Technology

Topics Covered

  • Weapons characteristics of the M240B, M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, and MK19 Grenade Launcher
  • Direct and indirect fire techniques
  • Range estimation and target identification
  • Crew-served weapon tactics and employment
  • Defensive and offensive firing positions
  • Machine gun gunnery skills
  • Vehicle mounted machine gunnery
  • Land navigation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

OSHA 30-Hour Construction60% covered

Specific OSHA regulations, record keeping, and site-specific safety protocols not covered in military training.

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)30% covered

Formal security management principles, risk assessment methodologies, legal and ethical considerations, and business continuity planning.

Recommended Next Certifications

Physical Security Professional (PSP)Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)DoD Security Clearance

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
M240B Machine Gun7.62mm belt-fed semi-automatic rifle (e.g., AR-10 platform)
M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun.50 caliber long-range precision rifle
MK19 40mm Grenade Machine GunAutomatic grenade launcher (e.g., for pest control in agriculture)
M107 .50 Caliber Long Range Sniper Rifle (LRSR).50 caliber long-range target shooting rifles
M320 Grenade Launcher Module (GLM)40mm grenade launchers (e.g., less-lethal launchers used by law enforcement)
AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon SightFLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) thermal imaging scopes for hunting or security
M151 Spotting ScopeHigh-powered spotting scopes for hunting or bird watching

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