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5803 Career Guide

Marine Corps

5803: Military Police Officer

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Military Police Officer (5803)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 5803 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Police Officer

$75K
High matchStable demand

Security Manager

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationCertified Protection Professional (CPP) certification

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certificationHAZMAT training

Corporate Investigator

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Investigative techniquesInterviewing skillsKnowledge of corporate security protocols

Correctional Officer

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 5803 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Military Police officers constantly assess their surroundings to identify potential threats, maintain order, and ensure the safety of personnel and assets.

This translates to the ability to quickly understand complex environments, anticipate problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic situations.

Rapid Prioritization

In emergency situations or during law enforcement operations, MPs must quickly assess the severity of the situation and prioritize actions to mitigate risks and protect lives.

This skill becomes valuable for roles requiring quick decision-making under pressure, especially when managing multiple tasks with varying degrees of urgency.

Procedural Compliance

MPs adhere to strict legal and regulatory frameworks, ensuring that all actions are in accordance with military law, international law, and standard operating procedures.

The ability to follow established protocols and regulations meticulously is transferable to civilian roles that demand adherence to compliance standards and legal requirements.

Adversarial Thinking

Military Police are trained to anticipate the actions of potential adversaries, whether in the context of criminal investigations or security operations, allowing them to proactively mitigate threats.

This skill enables you to identify vulnerabilities, anticipate potential problems, and develop strategies to overcome challenges, making you well-suited for roles requiring strategic planning and risk management.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been managing law and order in high-stress situations, coordinating responses, and ensuring the safety of personnel. This experience translates directly to planning and executing emergency response strategies in civilian settings. Your situational awareness and rapid prioritization skills will be invaluable in protecting communities during crises.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been rigorously enforcing military law and procedures, demonstrating a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and attention to detail. As a Compliance Officer, you'll be responsible for ensuring that businesses adhere to legal standards and internal policies. Your experience in maintaining order and upholding regulations will make you a highly effective compliance professional.

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099.00

You've been involved in criminal investigations and security operations, honing your skills in identifying suspicious behavior and gathering evidence. Your adversarial thinking and pattern recognition abilities will be crucial in detecting and preventing fraudulent activities. Your military background provides a solid foundation for pursuing a career in fraud investigation.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course (MPBOLC), Fort Leonard Wood, MO

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement.

Topics Covered

  • Military Law and Procedures
  • Law Enforcement Operations
  • Physical Security and Access Control
  • Detainee Operations
  • Crime Prevention and Investigation
  • Traffic Management and Collision Investigation
  • Weapons Training and Tactics
  • Leadership and Management Principles

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60% covered

While military police experience covers security management, investigations, and physical security, the CPP requires deeper knowledge of business principles, risk management, and advanced security technologies. Focus on studying those areas.

Physical Security Professional (PSP)70% covered

Military police experience provides a strong foundation in physical security principles. However, the PSP certification requires knowledge of specialized areas such as electronic security systems, antiterrorism measures for civilian infrastructure, and advanced access control.

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)40% covered

Military police officers gain investigative experience that is relevant to fraud examination. Gaps include forensic accounting, fraud prevention, and legal elements specific to civilian fraud cases. Study those areas, and consider any courses on interviewing techniques for fraud investigations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Automated Booking System (JABS)Law enforcement records management systems (RMS) such as those offered by Motorola Solutions, Tyler Technologies, or Mark43
Incident Command System (ICS)Emergency management software platforms like Veoci or Juvare
Military Police Reporting System (MPRS)Crime analysis software such as ArcGIS Crime Analysis or IBM i2 Analyst's Notebook
Expeditionary Forensic Exploitation Laboratory (EFEL)Mobile forensic labs or services offered by companies like KeyW or Aday Technologies
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) used in civilian law enforcement for bomb disposal or surveillance, such as those from QinetiQ or FLIR Systems
Biometric Identification System for Access (BISA)Biometric access control systems like those offered by Gemalto or Morpho

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