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9953 Career Guide

Marine Corps

9953: Parachutist/SCUBA Marine Officer

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Parachutist/SCUBA Marine Officer (9953)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 9953 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Commercial Diver

$75K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Diving CertificationUnderwater Welding (optional)

Search and Rescue Diver

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificationAdvanced Open Water Diver certificationSearch and Rescue training

Reconnaissance Specialist (Private Security)

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Surveillance techniques trainingExecutive protection trainingFirst aid/CPR certification

Federal Air Marshal

$90K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Law Enforcement TrainingFirearms ProficiencyTSA Application Process

Technical Rescue Technician

$65K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Confined Space Rescue CertificationRope Rescue CertificationStructural Collapse Rescue Certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 9953 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Parachutist/SCUBA Marine, maintaining constant situational awareness is critical for survival and mission success. You're operating in dynamic, often hostile environments, demanding you constantly assess threats, understand your surroundings (above and below water), and anticipate potential changes.

This heightened awareness translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex situations, anticipate problems, and make informed decisions under pressure in any civilian environment.

Rapid Prioritization

In reconnaissance missions, especially in SCUBA or parachuting operations, you must rapidly assess and prioritize threats, objectives, and limited resources. Deciding what's most important in a split second can mean the difference between mission success and failure.

This skill makes you adept at quickly triaging tasks, identifying critical issues, and allocating resources effectively in fast-paced civilian roles.

Team Synchronization

Parachutist/SCUBA missions require impeccable teamwork and coordination. You must seamlessly synchronize your actions with your team, often in challenging conditions, relying on clear communication and a shared understanding of the mission objectives.

This ability to work in perfect harmony with others will be invaluable in any team-oriented civilian profession, allowing you to contribute effectively to group goals and projects.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Operating in challenging environments, from underwater to airborne, means that equipment can fail or conditions can change rapidly. You're trained to adapt, troubleshoot, and maintain mission effectiveness even when things don't go according to plan.

This translates to a remarkable resilience and problem-solving ability in the face of adversity. You're able to think on your feet, find alternative solutions, and keep projects on track even when unexpected challenges arise.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to operate in high-stress, dynamic situations, assessing risks and coordinating responses. Your expertise in situational awareness, rapid prioritization, and degraded-mode operations makes you exceptionally well-prepared to lead and manage emergency response efforts.

Search and Rescue Coordinator

SOC 33-2011.00

Your experience in parachuting and SCUBA operations provides a unique understanding of search environments. You've been trained to navigate complex terrains, coordinate teams, and prioritize tasks under pressure – all skills crucial for leading search and rescue missions effectively.

Risk Management Consultant

SOC 13-2050.00

Your training in assessing threats, understanding vulnerabilities, and developing mitigation strategies translates perfectly to the world of risk management. You've been conditioned to identify potential problems and implement proactive solutions, making you a valuable asset to organizations seeking to minimize risk and protect their assets.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Basic Reconnaissance Course, Fort Benning, GA; Marine Combatant Diver Course, Panama City, FL; USMC Parachutist Course, Fort Benning, GA

640 training hours16 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in Physical Education and Military Science

Topics Covered

  • Diving Physics and Physiology
  • Underwater Navigation
  • Closed-Circuit Diving Operations
  • Small Boat Operations
  • Parachute Operations and Safety
  • Static Line Parachuting Techniques
  • Combat Water Survival
  • Reconnaissance Planning and Execution

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified SCUBA Diver70% covered

May need to refresh skills on equipment maintenance, dive planning specific to recreational or scientific diving (if military training was strictly combat-focused), and dive rescue techniques outside of combat scenarios.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)60% covered

Focus on extended care scenarios, environmental medicine (hypothermia, altitude sickness), and evacuation techniques relevant to wilderness environments. Military training likely emphasizes immediate trauma care.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PVS-7 Night Vision GogglesHigh-resolution night vision equipment
LAR-V RebreatherClosed-circuit rebreather diving systems
MultiCam Camouflage UniformsCommercial camouflage clothing for hunting/outdoor activities
Global Positioning System (GPS) ReceiversGarmin GPS devices, handheld GPS units
AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld RadioMotorola two-way radios, satellite communication devices
Parachute Systems (MC-4, MC-6)Ram-air parachutes, BASE jumping equipment

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