New Cohort Starts:

Donate

8652 Career Guide

Marine Corps

8652: Reconnaissance Man, Parachute Qualified

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Reconnaissance Man, Parachute Qualified (8652)

Translate Your 8652 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 8652 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Police Detective

$85K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Complete Police Academy trainingDevelop interview and interrogation techniquesGain experience in criminal law and investigation procedures

Private Investigator

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Obtain state-specific private investigator licenseDevelop surveillance techniques and legal knowledgeLearn report writing and evidence documentation

Intelligence Analyst

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Develop analytical software skills (e.g., Palantir)Enhance data analysis and interpretation skillsObtain relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Intelligence Professional)

Search and Rescue Technician

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Wilderness First Responder or EMT certificationAdvanced mountaineering and survival skillsSearch management and coordination training

Security Consultant

$95K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Obtain security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM)Develop risk assessment and security planning expertiseEnhance knowledge of cybersecurity and physical security systems

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 8652 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Reconnaissance men constantly assess their surroundings to identify threats, opportunities, and changes in the environment, essential for mission success and survival in dynamic and hostile conditions.

This translates to the ability to quickly understand and respond to complex and changing situations, anticipating potential problems and adjusting strategies accordingly. It's about being proactive and informed.

Rapid Prioritization

In rapidly evolving reconnaissance scenarios, soldiers must quickly assess the urgency and importance of different tasks and information, prioritizing actions to achieve mission objectives while minimizing risks.

This skill involves swiftly evaluating competing demands and making critical decisions under pressure, ensuring the most important tasks are addressed first and resources are allocated effectively.

Adversarial Thinking

Reconnaissance requires anticipating the enemy's actions, intentions, and capabilities to effectively gather intelligence and avoid detection. This involves thinking like the adversary to predict their behavior and develop countermeasures.

This skill translates to the ability to anticipate challenges and proactively develop strategies to overcome them, particularly in competitive or high-stakes environments. It involves identifying potential risks and developing contingency plans.

Team Synchronization

Reconnaissance teams must operate in perfect coordination, relying on clear communication and mutual understanding to achieve mission objectives. This requires seamless integration of individual skills and efforts.

This skill involves working effectively with others, ensuring everyone is aligned and contributing their unique talents to achieve a common goal. It's about fostering collaboration, communication, and shared responsibility.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022

You've been trained to analyze terrain and enemy behavior. As a Market Research Analyst, you will apply those skills to gathering data on consumer behavior, competitor strategies, and market trends. You will analyze this information to provide insights that help companies make informed decisions about product development, marketing campaigns, and pricing strategies.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You've been responsible for assessing threats and planning responses in high-pressure situations. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you will use these same skills to develop and implement plans for responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies. Your expertise in situational awareness and rapid prioritization will be invaluable in protecting communities and saving lives.

Private Investigator

SOC 33-9021

You've honed your skills in gathering information discreetly and effectively. As a Private Investigator, you will use those same skills to conduct surveillance, investigate fraud, and locate missing persons. Your attention to detail and ability to think strategically will be invaluable in uncovering the truth and bringing justice to those who have been wronged.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Reconnaissance Training and Parachute Qualification, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and various locations

840 training hours30 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Military Science

Topics Covered

  • Basic Reconnaissance Techniques
  • Land Navigation
  • Communications Procedures
  • Demolitions
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Parachute Operations (Static Line and Freefall)
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
  • Amphibious Reconnaissance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)60% covered

Requires studying business principles, legal aspects of security, and advanced security management concepts not directly covered in military reconnaissance.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

Requires studying information security governance, risk management, software development security, and cryptography, which are outside the scope of basic reconnaissance training. Experience in IT is helpful.

Recommended Next Certifications

Geospatial Intelligence Professional Certification (GIP)Remote Sensing Professional Certification (RSPC)Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Certification

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PVS-15 Night Vision Goggles (NVG)High-end thermal and night vision optics
AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld RadioMotorola two-way radios or satellite communicators
M4 Carbine with SOPMOD accessoriesAR-15 platform rifles with aftermarket accessories for hunting/sport shooting
Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)Garmin GPSMAP series or similar ruggedized GPS devices
AH-6 Little Bird helicopterMD 500 series civilian helicopter
MC-4 Freefall Parachute SystemCivilian skydiving parachute systems (e.g., Vector, Icon)
Remote Observation System (ROS)High-powered spotting scopes and binoculars

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 8652 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free