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6491 Career Guide

Marine Corps

6491: Precision Measurement Equipment Chief

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Precision Measurement Equipment Chief (6491)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6491 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Calibration Technician

$70K
High matchHigh demand

Quality Assurance Manager

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Six Sigma certificationProject management skills

Field Service Engineer

$85K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Specific product certifications (e.g., industrial machinery)Customer service skills

Computer and Information Systems Manager

$150K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related fieldProject Management Professional (PMP) certificationExperience with IT budgeting and strategic planning

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6491 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a PME chief, you understand the intricate relationships between various pieces of test equipment, weapon systems, and computer systems. You can visualize how changes in one area affect others, allowing for efficient troubleshooting and maintenance planning.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to roles where you need to analyze interconnected processes and predict outcomes based on various inputs. You can quickly grasp how different components of a system interact and identify potential points of failure.

Procedural Compliance

Your role demands strict adherence to established procedures and protocols for calibration, maintenance, and repair of highly sensitive equipment. Precision and accuracy are paramount, and you ensure all work meets exacting standards.

This ingrained discipline for following procedures makes you exceptionally well-suited for roles requiring adherence to regulatory standards, safety protocols, or quality control processes. You're detail-oriented and understand the importance of consistency.

Team Synchronization

As an NCOIC, you oversee a team of technicians, coordinating their efforts to ensure timely and effective maintenance and repair of critical equipment. You're responsible for assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and resolving conflicts to keep the team operating smoothly.

Your experience leading and coordinating a team of technicians directly translates to roles where you need to manage projects, delegate tasks, and ensure everyone is working in sync to achieve a common goal. You're adept at fostering collaboration and resolving issues that may arise.

Degraded-Mode Operations

When critical equipment malfunctions or resources are limited, you're able to adapt and find alternative solutions to maintain operational readiness. You're skilled at improvising and thinking outside the box to overcome unexpected challenges.

This adaptability and problem-solving ability is highly valued in civilian settings where unexpected issues can disrupt operations. You're able to remain calm under pressure, assess the situation, and implement creative solutions to minimize downtime.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051

You've been meticulously ensuring precision and accuracy in equipment maintenance, making you perfectly positioned to lead quality control efforts. Your experience with procedural compliance and system modeling allows you to identify and correct flaws in processes, ensuring high-quality products and services.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been rigorously adhering to maintenance protocols and standards, which translates seamlessly to ensuring organizations comply with regulatory requirements. Your attention to detail and understanding of complex systems make you ideal for identifying and mitigating compliance risks.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9041

You've been training and supervising technicians in complex maintenance procedures, demonstrating your ability to explain technical concepts clearly and concisely. This makes you well-suited to develop and deliver technical training programs in various industries, ensuring employees have the skills they need to succeed.

Training & Education Equivalencies

PME Calibration Technician Course, Redstone Arsenal, AL

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in electronics and quality control.

Topics Covered

  • Metrology Principles
  • Electrical Standards and Calibration
  • Mechanical Standards and Calibration
  • RF and Microwave Calibration
  • TMDE Management and Documentation
  • AN/UYK-65(V) Computer System Maintenance
  • Quality Assurance Procedures
  • Supervisory Skills and Work Center Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Calibration Technician (CCT)70% covered

Specific calibration procedures for certain industries, advanced metrology concepts, and industry-specific standards may require additional study.

CompTIA A+50% covered

While military training covers hardware and troubleshooting, focus on current operating systems, software, networking, and security concepts covered in the A+ exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Manager (CM)Project Management Professional (PMP)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Test, Measuring, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE)Industrial Calibration Equipment (e.g., Fluke calibrators)
AN/UYK-65(V) Common Display System (CDS)Industrial control systems (ICS) and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI)
IMA Weapon System Test BenchesAutomated Test Equipment (ATE) for complex systems
Metrology and Calibration (METCAL) ProceduresISO 17025 Calibration Standards and Procedures

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