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9950 Career Guide

Marine Corps

9950: Combat Artist Officer

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Combat Artist Officer (9950)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 9950 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Graphic Designer

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Mastery of industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite)Understanding of commercial art principlesPortfolio showcasing digital design work

Museum Curator

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Art History or Museum StudiesExperience in museum collection management softwareGrant writing

Art Director

$90K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong portfolio demonstrating leadership and creative directionExperience in project managementKnowledge of current design trends

Illustrator

$52K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Develop a professional portfolioProficiency in digital illustration softwareMarketing and self-promotion skills

Archivist

$50K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Library Science or Archival StudiesKnowledge of archival principles and practicesExperience in digital preservation

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 9950 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Combat artists must constantly observe and interpret the environment around them to accurately and effectively depict scenes, understanding the unfolding events and their significance.

The ability to maintain a broad understanding of ongoing events and their potential impact, enabling proactive decision-making and adaptation to changing circumstances.

Resource Optimization

Combat artists manage their art supplies, time, and logistical needs in potentially austere or rapidly changing environments to maximize their artistic output and meet mission requirements.

The ability to efficiently allocate and manage limited resources – including time, materials, and personnel – to achieve desired outcomes while minimizing waste and maximizing productivity.

Team Synchronization

Combat artists often work closely with military units, requiring them to integrate into teams, understand operational rhythms, and coordinate their activities to accurately document events without disrupting operations.

The ability to effectively coordinate and align one's actions with others to achieve shared goals, fostering collaboration and ensuring smooth execution of tasks within a team environment.

After-Action Analysis

Combat artists review their completed artwork and the circumstances surrounding its creation to identify areas for improvement in their techniques, processes, and understanding of combat situations.

The capacity to critically evaluate past events or projects, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned to improve future performance and outcomes.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

User Experience (UX) Researcher

SOC 15-1199.11

You've been immersed in observing and interpreting complex, real-world situations to translate them into visual stories. As a UX Researcher, you'll apply those observational skills to understand user behavior and translate it into design improvements for digital products. You are also used to working within the constraints of a mission, much like design constraints.

Museum Curator

SOC 25-4012

Your experience in the creation, collection, and exhibition of combat art has given you a strong foundation in curation principles. As a museum curator, you'll use your skills in preservation, storytelling, and historical understanding to connect audiences with significant artifacts and artistic works. You understand the power of art to move people.

Corporate Archivist

SOC 25-4011

You've managed the lifecycle of artwork from creation to preservation. As a corporate archivist, you'll leverage those skills to preserve and organize a company's historical documents, records, and media assets, ensuring they're accessible for future reference and strategic decision-making. Think of it as capturing corporate 'battles' and strategies.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Officer Candidate School (OCS), Quantico, VA; Basic Officer Course (BOC), Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA; Combat Art Program Training, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, VA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in Fine Arts and Military Science recommended

Topics Covered

  • Marine Corps Leadership and Ethics
  • Military History and Heritage
  • Combat Art Techniques (Sketching, Painting, Photography)
  • Art Collection Management
  • Exhibition Design and Installation
  • Copyright and Intellectual Property Law (relating to art)
  • Art Conservation Basics
  • Advising Commanders on Art Programs

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)40% covered

Need to study governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting principles.

Project Management Professional (PMP)30% covered

Needs project management methodology knowledge and experience to pass the exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) CamerasProfessional-grade digital cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony)
Tactical Sketchbooks/Field EaselsProfessional art sketchbooks, portable easels
Communication Devices (SINCGARS, SATCOM)Satellite phones, secure communication apps (Signal, WhatsApp with encryption)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)ArcGIS, QGIS
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)
Secure Data Storage DevicesEncrypted external hard drives, cloud storage with security protocols
Military Transportation (HMMWV, MTVR)Off-road vehicles, trucks for transport of equipment and artwork

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