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6802 Career Guide

Marine Corps

6802: Meteorology and Oceanography Officer

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Meteorology and Oceanography Officer (6802)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6802 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Meteorologist

$99K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (if interested in media)Familiarity with civilian weather models (e.g., WRF, NAM)

Environmental Consultant

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Environmental regulations knowledge (EPA, etc.)Project management certification (PMP)Specific environmental software proficiency

Emergency Management Director

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-700)Local government emergency management protocols

Data Scientist

$110K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Python or R programmingMachine learning techniquesData visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Logistics Manager

$75K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management principlesInventory management software proficiencyAPICS certification (e.g., CSCP, CLTD)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6802 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, you built and used system models to predict weather and ocean conditions, understanding how various factors interact to influence the environment.

This skill translates to the ability to create and utilize models in civilian sectors to forecast trends, understand complex interactions, and predict outcomes based on various inputs.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a high level of situational awareness by constantly monitoring weather patterns and environmental conditions to anticipate potential impacts on military operations.

This translates directly to civilian roles that require you to quickly assess dynamic environments, understand the interplay of various factors, and make informed decisions based on real-time observations.

Rapid Prioritization

You regularly prioritized the dissemination of critical weather information, especially during destructive METOC events, ensuring commanders received timely warnings to protect personnel and assets.

This skill is invaluable in civilian roles requiring quick decision-making under pressure, where you must assess competing priorities and allocate resources effectively in time-sensitive situations.

Resource Optimization

As a METOC officer, you managed the requisitioning and accounting of materials and equipment, ensuring resources were allocated efficiently to maintain operational readiness.

This experience showcases your ability to strategically manage resources, streamline processes, and maximize efficiency, skills highly valued in various civilian sectors.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been managing resources and coordinating complex operations in dynamic environments. Your experience in forecasting and planning translates seamlessly to optimizing supply chains and logistical processes.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been advising commanders on destructive environmental conditions and ensuring timely dissemination of critical information. Your expertise in risk assessment and communication will make you an invaluable asset in disaster preparedness and response.

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051.00

You've been collecting, evaluating, and interpreting METOC data to provide forecasts and conduct climatological studies. Your analytical skills and experience in creating predictive models will be highly valuable in extracting insights from complex datasets.

Training & Education Equivalencies

METOC Officer Course, Keesler Air Force Base, MS

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Meteorology and Oceanography

Topics Covered

  • Meteorological Observation and Analysis
  • Oceanographic Principles and Forecasting
  • Weather Radar Interpretation
  • Numerical Weather Prediction Models
  • Tropical Cyclone Forecasting
  • Climatology and its Impact on Military Operations
  • Operational Weather Support
  • Briefing Techniques for Commanders

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)60% covered

Focus on FEMA regulations, disaster recovery planning, and specific emergency management phases (mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery).

Project Management Professional (PMP)50% covered

Study the PMBOK guide, focusing on the 10 knowledge areas and 5 process groups of project management. Learn about project scheduling, budgeting, and risk management in civilian contexts.

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)40% covered

Focus on civilian safety regulations (OSHA), hazard analysis, risk assessment methodologies, and safety management systems.

Recommended Next Certifications

Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS)Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)
Joint METOC Viewer (JMV)Geographic Information System (GIS) software such as ArcGIS
Navy Tactical Oceanographic/Atmospheric Resource (N-TOR)Oceanographic and Weather Modeling Software
Meteorological Satellite (METSAT) imageryCommercial weather satellite data providers (e.g., AccuWeather, The Weather Company)
Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)High-resolution weather forecasting models (e.g., WRF, GEM)
Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS)National Weather Service's AWIPS equivalent or commercial weather data visualization platforms

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