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8552 Career Guide

Marine Corps

8552: Close Combat Instructor-Trainer

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Close Combat Instructor-Trainer (8552)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 8552 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Martial Arts Instructor

$55K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Business managementMarketing and salesFirst Aid/CPR certification

Security Trainer

$68K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific security certifications (e.g., security guard license)Advanced security protocols trainingDe-escalation techniques

Law Enforcement Academy Instructor

$72K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificationSpecific law enforcement proceduresCurriculum development

Corporate Security Consultant

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Risk assessment and managementSecurity technology expertiseProject managementReport writing

Self-Defense Instructor

$50K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Business and marketingFirst Aid/CPR certificationAdapt instruction to civilian needs

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 8552 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Close Combat Instructor-Trainer, you constantly scan your environment during training exercises to anticipate potential safety hazards, assess trainee performance, and adapt your instruction based on real-time feedback and the evolving dynamics of the simulated combat scenarios.

This translates to an exceptional ability to perceive and understand your surroundings, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the environment.

Rapid Prioritization

In a close combat scenario, you must quickly assess threats, prioritize targets, and determine the most effective course of action under intense pressure, ensuring the safety of yourself and your trainees.

This demonstrates your capacity to quickly evaluate complex situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources effectively, enabling you to make sound judgments and maintain control in high-stakes environments.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere strictly to established training protocols and safety regulations while conducting close combat instruction, ensuring consistent and standardized training while minimizing the risk of injury.

This showcases your commitment to following established procedures, maintaining high standards of quality, and ensuring consistent and reliable outcomes in regulated environments.

After-Action Analysis

Following training exercises, you conduct thorough after-action reviews to identify areas for improvement in both individual trainee performance and the overall effectiveness of the training program, contributing to continuous refinement of combat readiness.

This highlights your ability to critically evaluate past performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions to enhance future outcomes and drive continuous organizational learning.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9099.02

You've been trained to rapidly assess situations, prioritize actions, and maintain control under pressure. Your expertise in procedural compliance and situational awareness makes you an ideal candidate for developing and implementing emergency response plans.

Corporate Security Manager

SOC 11-9199.02

You've honed skills in risk assessment, threat mitigation, and security protocol implementation. Your experience in ensuring safety and maintaining order translates directly to protecting corporate assets and personnel.

Mediation Specialist

SOC 29-9099.02

You've have experience de-escalating volatile situations. Your capability to analyze conflicts and promote a sense of understanding could be used to resolve disputes.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Close Combat Instructor Course, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Physical Education or Recreation Leadership

Topics Covered

  • Principles of Close Combat
  • Hand-held Weapons Techniques
  • Unarmed vs. Hand-held Weapons Tactics
  • Ground Fighting Techniques
  • Firearm Disarmament Procedures
  • Instructor Development
  • Risk Management and Safety Procedures
  • Combat Conditioning

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)70% covered

Focus on anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and specific exercise programming principles. Also, study client consultation, fitness assessment, and behavior modification techniques as they apply to general fitness clients.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor60% covered

While the military training covers many life-saving techniques, BLS instructor certification requires a deeper understanding of the BLS curriculum, teaching methodologies, and evaluation processes specific to the certifying organization (e.g., American Heart Association).

Recommended Next Certifications

Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) InstructorCertified Protection Professional (CPP)Security Management Professional CertificationsFirearms Instructor Certifications (NRA or equivalent)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Martial Arts Program (MAP)Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Training Programs and Certifications
M9/M17 PistolGlock, Sig Sauer (handguns)
M4 CarbineAR-15 style rifles
Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)Advanced First Aid Kit/Trauma Kit
Range Target Systems (e.g., pop-up targets)Automated Target Systems (used in shooting ranges and law enforcement training)
Combat Training Simulator (CTS)Virtual Reality (VR) Training Simulations for Law Enforcement/Security

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