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3112 Career Guide

Marine Corps

3112: Distribution Management Specialist

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Distribution Management Specialist (3112)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3112 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Logistics Analyst

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysis software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)Supply chain management certifications (e.g., CSCP, CLTD)

Transportation Planner

$82K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Urban planning principlesGeographic Information Systems (GIS)Traffic modeling software

Customs Broker

$70K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Customs brokerage licenseKnowledge of import/export regulations

Supply Chain Manager

$100K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced supply chain management principlesLeadership and team managementProject management certification (e.g., PMP)

Operations Manager

$85K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Lean Six Sigma certificationProcess optimization techniquesBusiness management principles

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3112 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a Transportation Management Coordinator, you're constantly finding the most efficient and cost-effective ways to move personnel and cargo, balancing speed, security, and budget constraints within the Defense Transportation System.

This ability to strategically allocate resources, minimize waste, and maximize efficiency translates directly to any role where you're tasked with improving processes and reducing costs.

Procedural Compliance

Your daily work involves navigating a complex web of Federal, DOD, and service regulations to ensure compliant transportation of goods and personnel. Accuracy and adherence to protocol are paramount.

This ingrained discipline and commitment to following established procedures makes you highly valuable in regulated industries or any environment where compliance is critical.

Situational Awareness

Overseeing in-transit visibility (ITV) of cargo requires maintaining constant awareness of the location and status of shipments, anticipating potential disruptions, and proactively addressing challenges to ensure timely delivery.

Your ability to monitor complex situations, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions under pressure is essential for roles requiring oversight and proactive problem-solving.

System Modeling

Using automated systems to manage distribution operations and track cargo requires understanding how different components of the system interact and how changes in one area can affect the entire process.

This aptitude for understanding and manipulating complex systems is highly transferable to roles involving process improvement, data analysis, and technology implementation.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been managing complex transportation logistics within the military, optimizing routes, and ensuring timely delivery. As a Logistics Analyst, you'll leverage these skills to analyze supply chain data, identify inefficiencies, and recommend solutions to improve logistics operations for civilian companies. Your familiarity with transportation regulations and automated systems will give you a distinct advantage.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in procedural compliance, navigating complex regulations to ensure the safe and legal transportation of goods and personnel. As a Compliance Officer, you'll use your attention to detail and understanding of regulations to develop and implement compliance programs, conduct audits, and ensure that organizations adhere to relevant laws and standards.

Business Process Improvement Specialist

SOC 13-1111.00

You've been managing transportation operations and identifying areas for improvement. As a Business Process Improvement Specialist, you'll apply your skills in system modeling and resource optimization to analyze business processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. Your experience with automated systems and data analysis will be invaluable in this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Transportation Management (TM) Specialist Course, Fort Lee

320 training hours8 weeksUp to 3 semester hours in Logistics Management

Topics Covered

  • DOD Transportation Regulations
  • Defense Transportation System (DTS) Procedures
  • Commercial Transportation Modes (Land, Air, Water)
  • Distribution Logistics Functions
  • Automated Information Systems (GCSS-MC)
  • In-Transit Visibility (ITV) Procedures
  • Cargo Processing (Inbound/Outbound)
  • Container Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Transportation Professional (CTP)60% covered

Requires additional study in business logistics, supply chain management principles, and advanced transportation planning concepts. Focus on strategic decision-making in transportation.

Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)40% covered

Requires focused study of production planning, master scheduling, forecasting, and quality management. Deeper understanding of lean methodologies and constraint management is needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltCertified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Transportation System (DTS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for logistics and supply chain management
Cargo Movement Operations System (CMOS)Transportation Management Systems (TMS) used by freight brokers and logistics providers
Global Transportation Network (GTN)Global supply chain visibility platforms (e.g., project44, FourKites)
In-Transit Visibility (ITV) systems (e.g., IGC)Real-time tracking and tracing solutions (e.g., those offered by FedEx, UPS, DHL)
Automated Manifest System (AMS)Customs brokerage software for electronic manifest filing
SyncadaSupply chain finance platforms
DOD Ammunition Information System (AIS)Inventory management systems with lot tracking and traceability (e.g., used in pharmaceutical or regulated industries)

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