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8631 Career Guide

Marine Corps

8631: Surveillance Sensor Operator

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Surveillance Sensor Operator (8631)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 8631 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Systems Technician

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Vendor-specific security certifications (e.g., Genetec, Milestone)Networking skills

Surveillance Equipment Installer

$58K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Low voltage electrical certificationExperience with specific camera brands (e.g., Axis, Bosch)

Industrial Maintenance Technician

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) trainingExperience with mechanical systems

Avionics Technician

$72K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA certificationAircraft-specific maintenance training

IT Support Specialist

$52K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

CompTIA A+ certificationHelp desk experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 8631 training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

As a surveillance sensor operator, you were trained to identify subtle anomalies and patterns within large datasets collected by surveillance equipment, crucial for detecting potential threats or unusual activity.

This ability to spot subtle patterns translates directly into roles requiring data analysis and anomaly detection, where identifying deviations from the norm is key to uncovering valuable insights or preventing problems.

Procedural Compliance

You consistently adhered to strict protocols and maintenance procedures for sensitive surveillance equipment, ensuring operational readiness and data integrity.

Your dedication to following procedures and maintaining accuracy is highly valuable in regulated industries where compliance is paramount. You understand the importance of precision and accountability.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You maintained operational effectiveness even when equipment malfunctioned or environmental conditions were suboptimal, using workaround procedures and adapting to limited functionality to ensure surveillance capabilities were not compromised.

Your experience in maintaining functionality under duress demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness. This capability is highly valuable in roles that require quick thinking and problem-solving in challenging situations.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a constant awareness of the operational environment, including potential threats, equipment status, and team coordination, to proactively respond to evolving situations and maintain effective surveillance.

Your strong situational awareness skills translate to an ability to quickly assess your surroundings and anticipate potential issues. This skill is valuable in roles that require you to manage risk and make informed decisions under pressure.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2011

You've been trained to spot anomalies and patterns in data, maintain strict procedural compliance, and perform under pressure. This makes you well-suited to investigate financial irregularities and fraudulent activities.

Quality Assurance Analyst

SOC 19-4199

You've developed a keen eye for detail, adherence to procedures, and ability to identify deviations from the norm. This makes you a strong candidate for ensuring products and services meet quality standards.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You've honed your skills in maintaining situational awareness, operating in degraded modes, and making critical decisions under pressure. This experience translates well into managing emergency situations and coordinating disaster response efforts.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Tactical Remote Sensor System (TRSS) Operator Course, Marine Corps Intelligence Schools Battalion

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in electronics technology.

Topics Covered

  • TRSS Equipment Operation
  • Sensor Emplacement Techniques
  • Signal Processing and Analysis
  • Antenna Theory and Maintenance
  • Communications Security (COMSEC) Procedures
  • Electronic Warfare (EW) Awareness
  • Mission Planning and Execution
  • 4th Echelon Maintenance and Repair

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60% covered

The CPP covers a broad range of security management topics, including physical security, personnel security, and information security. The military training likely provides a strong foundation in physical security and surveillance, but additional study may be needed in areas such as risk management, legal aspects of security, and business principles.

Physical Security Professional (PSP)70% covered

The PSP focuses specifically on physical security principles and practices. Military training provides a strong foundation, but knowledge of current civilian technologies and best practices in areas such as access control, intrusion detection, and security lighting may need to be supplemented.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Security Supervision and Management (CSSM)CompTIA Security+Certified in Homeland Security (CHS)Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Tactical Remote Sensor System (TRSS)Remote environmental monitoring systems
AN/GSR-T3 Ground Sensor TransceiverWireless sensor network gateways
AN/GSR-8 Man-Portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR)Ground-based radar systems for perimeter security
Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS)Commercial video surveillance and analytics platforms
Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2)Real-time GPS fleet management systems
Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S)Air traffic control software and systems

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