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9957 Career Guide

Marine Corps

9957: Acquisition Professional Candidate

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Acquisition Professional Candidate (9957)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 9957 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Project Manager

$110K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

PMP CertificationAgile methodologies

Logistics Manager

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certificationAPICS certification

Systems Engineer

$125K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific engineering certifications (e.g., Systems Engineering Professional)Software proficiency

Contract Specialist

$85K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)Knowledge of FAR/DFAR

Management Analyst

$80K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Consulting skillsData analysisMBA

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 9957 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an acquisition professional, you analyze complex weapon systems and break them down into manageable components to understand how changes in one area affect the entire system's performance and lifecycle.

This ability translates directly into understanding and managing complex projects in various industries, allowing you to predict outcomes and optimize performance.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for ensuring resources are allocated efficiently during the acquisition process, balancing cost, performance, and schedule to meet project objectives within budget constraints.

Your experience in resource optimization makes you adept at identifying inefficiencies and implementing strategies to maximize productivity and profitability in any business setting.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict regulatory guidelines and acquisition processes, ensuring all projects comply with legal and policy requirements, minimizing risks, and maintaining accountability.

Your commitment to procedural compliance is invaluable in industries where regulatory adherence is critical, ensuring ethical and legal operations while maintaining organizational integrity.

After-Action Analysis

You participate in post-project reviews to identify lessons learned, analyze successes and failures, and implement improvements for future acquisition programs.

This analytical skill is transferable to any role requiring continuous improvement, helping organizations learn from past experiences and optimize future performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been trained to analyze complex systems, optimize resource allocation, and ensure compliance. These are all core skills for a management consultant, where you'll help businesses improve their efficiency and performance.

Financial Analyst

SOC 13-2051

Your experience managing budgets and resources within the acquisition process makes you well-suited to assessing investment opportunities and managing financial risks for organizations.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've developed a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance procedures. As a compliance officer, you'll ensure companies adhere to legal and ethical standards, mitigating risks and maintaining integrity.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Acquisition Management Training, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA

160 training hours4 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in business administration or management

Topics Covered

  • Acquisition Planning
  • Contract Management
  • Program Budgeting
  • Systems Engineering Principles
  • Logistics Support
  • Risk Management
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)60% covered

Project management fundamentals, terminology, and best practices as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)50% covered

In-depth knowledge of contract law, negotiation strategies, and specific contract types (e.g., fixed-price, cost-reimbursement) relevant to civilian acquisition.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level II or III certification (if not already obtained in the military)Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Acquisition Management Information Retrieval (DAMIR)Project Management Information Systems (PMIS)
SharePointMicrosoft SharePoint
Wide Area Workflow (WAWF)E-invoicing platforms
Total Cost Ownership (TCO) toolsCost Lifecycle Management Software
Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS)Inventory Management Software
DoD Risk, Issue, and Opportunity Management System (RIOMS)Risk Management Software

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