Security Guard/Officer
$35KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — State-required security license
- — First Aid/CPR certification
Live · Guide v1.00331 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 0331Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.0331.R.04
0331 · USMC · EnlistedMachine
Machine
Gunner.
Marine Corps 0331 (Machine Gunner). 340 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $35K–$98K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours340DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in Weapons Systems Technology
Tech roles3mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 0331 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 0331 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have04
- 01Situational Awareness→ Monitoring and threat detection
- 02Rapid Prioritization→ Incident response and task management
- 03Team Synchronization→ Collaboration on projects
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Following security protocols and regulations
To learn06
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux command line+Cloud security fundamentals+Scripting with Python or Bash+CI/CD concepts+Troubleshooting network issues+Help desk ticketing systems
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Police Officer
$65KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Police academy training
- — Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification
- — Criminal justice education
Heavy Equipment Operator
$55KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
- — Equipment-specific certifications
- — OSHA safety training
Construction Manager
$98KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project management certification (PMP)
- — Construction management degree or coursework
- — Blueprint reading
Range Safety Officer
$45KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Civilian firearms instructor certification
- — First Aid/CPR certification
- — Range safety certification
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 0331 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
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.
Transfers to
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.
Transfers to
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.
Transfers to
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).
Transfers to
The discipline to consistently follow established guidelines, regulations, and protocols to maintain quality, safety, and compliance in a structured environment.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Construction Site Supervisor
SOC 47-1011You'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.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161You'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.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Coordinator
SOC 13-1081You'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.
Adjacent · MatchSecurity Consultant
SOC 13-1199You'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.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Marine Combat Training (MCT)
Camp Lejeune; Machine Gunner Course, Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Geiger340hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 3 semester hours in Weapons Systems Technology
Topics · 8
- 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
Partial coverage · 2
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction60%
Specific OSHA regulations, record keeping, and site-specific safety protocols not covered in military training.
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP)30%
Formal security management principles, risk assessment methodologies, legal and ethical considerations, and business continuity planning.
Recommended next · 03
- Physical Security Professional (PSP)Adjacent
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)Adjacent
- DoD Security ClearanceAdjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| M240B Machine Gun | 7.62mm belt-fed semi-automatic rifle (e.g., AR-10 platform) | Weapons |
| M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun | .50 caliber long-range precision rifle | Weapons |
| MK19 40mm Grenade Machine Gun | Automatic grenade launcher (e.g., for pest control in agriculture) | Weapons |
| M107 .50 Caliber Long Range Sniper Rifle (LRSR) | .50 caliber long-range target shooting rifles | Operations |
| M320 Grenade Launcher Module (GLM) | 40mm grenade launchers (e.g., less-lethal launchers used by law enforcement) | Operations |
| AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sight | FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) thermal imaging scopes for hunting or security | Weapons |
| M151 Spotting Scope | High-powered spotting scopes for hunting or bird watching | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
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