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96D Career Guide

Army

96D: Imagery Analyst

Career transition guide for Army Imagery Analyst (96D)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 96D veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Geospatial Intelligence Analyst

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)Specific industry knowledge (e.g., utilities, transportation)

Remote Sensing Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced remote sensing techniquesData processing and analysis software proficiencySpecific sensor knowledge (e.g., LiDAR, hyperspectral)

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Familiarity with civilian intelligence databases and toolsSpecific industry knowledge (e.g., cybersecurity, finance)Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques

Geospatial Data Scientist

$110K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Programming skills (Python, R)Machine learning and statistical modelingBig data analyticsCloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure)

Emergency Management Specialist

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency planning certifications (e.g., FEMA certifications)Incident command system (ICS) trainingKnowledge of disaster response protocols

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 96D training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

As a 96D, you were trained to identify subtle patterns in imagery to discern enemy activity, equipment, and installations. You could spot irregularities and anomalies that others might miss, crucial for intelligence gathering.

This translates to an ability to quickly identify trends, anomalies, and potential risks in complex data sets or visual information, a valuable asset in many fields.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment through imagery analysis, anticipating threats and adapting strategies based on evolving situations on the ground.

In the civilian world, this equates to being able to grasp the big picture in a dynamic environment, proactively identify potential challenges, and adjust plans accordingly to achieve desired outcomes.

After-Action Analysis

You performed battle damage assessments and analyzed the effectiveness of military operations based on imagery, identifying areas for improvement and refining future strategies.

This skill translates directly to the ability to evaluate project outcomes, identify lessons learned, and implement changes to optimize future performance and mitigate risks.

Resource Optimization

As a 96D, you played a key role in tasking imagery collection assets and managing imagery requirements databases. This involved efficiently allocating resources to maximize intelligence gathering efforts and support surveillance reconnaissance missions.

This experience means you have a knack for getting the most out of available resources. You know how to prioritize tasks, allocate budgets effectively, and streamline processes to achieve optimal results.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Insurance Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-1031

You've been trained to analyze images and look for inconsistencies. As an Insurance Fraud Investigator, you'll use those skills to identify fraudulent claims by examining evidence and uncovering discrepancies in documentation, just like identifying anomalies in imagery.

Financial Analyst

SOC 13-2051

You've honed your ability to identify patterns and analyze complex information. As a Financial Analyst, you'll leverage these skills to examine market trends, assess financial risks, and make data-driven investment recommendations.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

Your skills in situational awareness and resource optimization are directly applicable to emergency management. You'll use your abilities to assess risks, coordinate resources, and develop response plans to mitigate the impact of disasters.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3021

You've developed a keen eye for detail and the ability to interpret visual data. As a Market Research Analyst, you'll use these skills to analyze consumer behavior, identify market trends, and develop strategies to improve product positioning and sales, similar to analyzing enemy patterns.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Imagery Analyst Course, Fort Huachuca, Arizona

1,230 training hours30 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Principles of Photogrammetry
  • Imagery Interpretation Techniques
  • Target Coordinate Determination
  • Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
  • Order of Battle Analysis
  • Imagery Analysis Reporting
  • National Imagery Interpretation Rating Scale (NIIRS)
  • All-Source Intelligence Integration

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Photogrammetrist (CP)60% covered

Requires knowledge of advanced photogrammetric techniques, surveying principles, and specific software used in civilian mapping and GIS industries. Study professional standards, legal aspects, and business practices in photogrammetry.

Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)50% covered

Requires understanding of GIS principles, data management, spatial analysis techniques, and application development. Study GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS), database management, and cartography.

Remote Sensing Professional Certification (RSP)70% covered

Needs expanded knowledge in remote sensing principles, sensors, data processing techniques, and applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and urban planning. Requires study of electromagnetic spectrum, image classification, and spectral analysis.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP)Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) software platforms
Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A)Palantir, IBM i2 Analyst's Notebook
National Imagery Interpretation Rating Scale (NIIRS)Image quality assessment metrics and tools
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) toolsRemote sensing damage assessment software
Photogrammetry software used for imagery analysisENVI, SOCET GXP, ERDAS IMAGINE
Order of Battle (OB) databasesJane's Information Group, open-source intelligence (OSINT) platforms

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