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2717 Career Guide

Marine Corps

2717: Marine Corps Linguist

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Marine Corps Linguist (2717)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2717 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Interpreter and Translator

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysisCritical thinkingFamiliarity with specific intelligence analysis tools

Technical Writer

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Mastery of technical writing principlesFamiliarity with industry-standard documentation tools

Linguistic Project Manager

$95K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certifications (e.g., PMP)Software localization processesBudget management

Foreign Language Instructor

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Teaching certificationCurriculum developmentPedagogical techniques

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2717 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Linguists maintain constant awareness of the nuances of communication, cultural context, and potential hidden meanings during interpretation, ensuring accurate and relevant information is conveyed.

This translates to the ability to quickly assess and understand complex environments, anticipate potential issues, and make informed decisions based on real-time information.

Adversarial Thinking

When interviewing non-English speaking civilians, linguists must assess credibility, considering potential biases, hidden agendas, or misinformation to discern the true intent and value of the information.

This skill involves critically evaluating information, identifying potential risks or weaknesses, and developing strategies to mitigate them.

Pattern Recognition

Linguists identify linguistic and cultural patterns to quickly understand dialects, slang, and implied meanings within conversations or written materials. Identifying the patterns allows them to quickly and accurately translate a message.

This involves identifying trends, anomalies, and relationships within data or situations to make informed decisions or predictions.

After-Action Analysis

Linguists analyze the effectiveness of their interpretations and translations, considering feedback and outcomes to improve accuracy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity in future interactions.

This ability to evaluate past performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance future outcomes is highly valuable in many fields.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022.00

You've been trained to extract meaning and intent from communications in a high-stakes environment. As a Market Research Analyst, you'll use those skills to interpret consumer data, understand market trends, and provide insights that drive business decisions. Your ability to assess credibility and identify patterns will be invaluable in this role.

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2011.00

Your experience in assessing credibility and identifying inconsistencies translates directly to investigating fraudulent activities. You're skilled at extracting information, detecting deception, and uncovering hidden agendas, which are crucial in this role.

Political Risk Analyst

SOC 19-3099.00

You're adept at understanding cultural nuances, interpreting complex information, and anticipating potential risks. As a Political Risk Analyst, you'll use these skills to assess political and social environments, identify potential threats to businesses or organizations, and provide strategic advice.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA

2,200 training hours64 weeksVaries widely depending on the target language and DLIFLC evaluation; potentially up to 45 semester hours

Topics Covered

  • Basic language acquisition
  • Advanced grammar and syntax
  • Listening comprehension
  • Speaking proficiency
  • Reading comprehension
  • Translation techniques
  • Interpretation techniques
  • Cultural awareness and regional studies

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Translator (American Translators Association)70% covered

ATA certification requires passing an exam. While military linguist experience provides a strong foundation in translation and interpretation, preparation focused on specific subject matter expertise relevant to the exam is needed.

Court Interpreter Certification (Various States)60% covered

Court interpreter certification varies by state, but typically requires knowledge of legal terminology, court procedures, and ethics. Military linguists will need to study these areas to be prepared for certification exams.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CCHI or NBCMI)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Language Interpretation Enterprise (DLITE)SDL Trados Studio, memoQ
Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System (JDISS)Palantir, data analytics platforms
Tactical Radios (Harris, Thales)Two-way radios (Motorola, Kenwood)
Military Intelligence (MI) SystemsThreat intelligence platforms
Secure Voice/Data Communication SystemsEncrypted communication apps (Signal, WhatsApp)
Automated Information Discovery Environment (AIDE)LexisNexis, Westlaw

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