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9807 Career Guide

Marine Corps

9807: Air Intercept Controller

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Air Intercept Controller (9807)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 9807 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Cloud Engineer

DevOps / Platform

SOC 15-1241
Good match

Your experience with airspace management systems and mission planning translates well to cloud infrastructure management. Your skills in airspace management, radar systems operation, and communications procedures can be applied to managing and optimizing cloud resources. Plus, your experience with systems like the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) is analogous to managing cloud deployments.

Typical stack:

One major cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)Networking (VPC, subnets, routing)IAM and security boundariesCost optimizationInfrastructure as Code

Security Engineer

Security

SOC 15-1212
Good match

Your background in air intercept control involves strict adherence to protocols and real-time decision-making in high-pressure situations. This aligns well with the responsibilities of a security engineer, who must protect systems and data from threats. Your experience in target identification and airspace management translates to threat detection and network security.

Typical stack:

Networking and OS internalsCryptography fundamentalsThreat modelingCloud security (IAM, VPC)Code review for security

Data Analyst

Data

SOC 15-2051
Moderate match

As an Air Intercept Controller, you developed strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data from radar systems. These skills can be leveraged in a data analyst role, where you'll analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. Your experience with After-Action Analysis can be directly applied to improving data analysis processes.

Typical stack:

SQLExcel / Sheets at expert levelOne BI tool (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)Statistics fundamentalsStakeholder communication

Computer Systems Analyst

Customer / Field

SOC 15-1211
Good match

You already have hands-on experience with the kinds of systems a computer systems analyst manages, such as Tactical Air Operations Modules (TAOM). Your experience with Airspace Management and Radar Systems Operation provides a solid foundation for understanding how to improve computer systems in various fields.

Typical stack:

Software systems literacyProcess mappingRequirements gatheringSQLStakeholder communication

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 9807 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • Airspace ManagementCloud resource management
  • Radar Systems OperationNetwork monitoring and analysis
  • Communications ProceduresIncident response communication
  • Mission PlanningProject planning and execution
  • After-Action AnalysisProcess improvement and optimization
  • Situational AwarenessReal-time data analysis and threat assessment
  • Rapid PrioritizationIncident response and crisis management

Skills to Learn

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not generic.

AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerLinux server administrationSIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)Network security principlesSQLData visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)Systems analysis and design methodologiesFamiliarity with database management systems

How VWC fits

Vets Who Code accelerates the parts we teach — software engineering fundamentals, web development, AI tooling. For everything else above, the path is doable independently with the resources we link to.

See VWC Programs

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 9807 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$150K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) CertificationSpecific aircraft type ratings (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320)

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist CertificationOn-the-job training at an FAA facility

Project Manager

$95K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) CertificationAgile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban)

Logistics Manager

$85K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management principlesLogistics software proficiencyAPICS certification

Emergency Management Director

$80K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certifications (e.g., FEMA certifications)Incident Command System (ICS) trainingLocal and federal regulations knowledge

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 9807 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a mission commander, you constantly monitor a complex environment, integrating data from multiple sources (aircraft status, airspace restrictions, potential threats) to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the operational landscape.

This ability to synthesize information from diverse sources to form a clear picture of a dynamic situation is crucial for effective decision-making in fast-paced environments.

Rapid Prioritization

During a mission, unexpected events can occur, requiring you to quickly assess the situation, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources effectively under pressure.

Your experience in rapidly triaging competing demands and making critical decisions with limited information translates directly to managing crises and deadlines in civilian roles.

Procedural Compliance

Mission commanders adhere to strict protocols and regulations to ensure safety and mission success. You're responsible for ensuring all aspects of the mission comply with established guidelines.

Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to following procedures make you highly valuable in roles requiring adherence to regulatory frameworks and standardized processes.

Team Synchronization

Mission success depends on coordinating with various team members, including pilots, navigators, and support staff. You ensure everyone is working together effectively towards a common goal.

Your ability to foster collaboration and maintain clear communication within a team ensures seamless operations and optimal performance, a highly sought-after skill in any organization.

After-Action Analysis

After each mission, you participate in debriefings to analyze performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions to enhance future mission effectiveness.

This analytical mindset and commitment to continuous improvement are essential for driving efficiency and optimizing processes in a variety of civilian settings.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to maintain composure and make critical decisions under pressure. Your experience in coordinating complex operations and managing resources during missions directly translates to managing emergency response efforts.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been responsible for ensuring mission plans are executed effectively. This makes you an excellent candidate to coordinate and manage the flow of goods, resources, and information within an organization.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9199.11

You've been in charge of overseeing missions from start to finish. Your experience in planning, executing, and monitoring complex projects aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of a project manager, especially in fields like construction or IT.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.05

You've honed your expertise in minimizing risks and ensuring operational resilience. You are equipped to develop and implement strategies to help organizations recover from disruptions, leveraging your skills in planning, analysis, and coordination.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Air Intercept Controller Course, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in aviation management or air traffic control.

Topics Covered

  • Airspace Management
  • Radar Systems Operation
  • Communications Procedures
  • Air Intercept Tactics
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Target Identification
  • Air-to-Air Weapons Employment
  • Mission Planning

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Private Pilot License60% covered

Requires passing the FAA written exam, flight training to FAA standards, and a check ride with an FAA examiner. Military flight experience provides a strong foundation in aeronautical knowledge and flight skills, but FAA regulations and procedures must be learned.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Mission commander experience provides project leadership skills. Gaps include formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and knowledge areas in the PMBOK Guide, plus documentation of project experience to meet PMP eligibility requirements.

Recommended Next Certifications

FAA Commercial Pilot LicenseCertified Aviation Manager (CAM)Airport Management Professional Accreditation (AMPAP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/PRC-117G Multiband Manpack RadioMotorola MOTOTRBO digital two-way radio systems
Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)Flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight, Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro)
Airspace Management System (e.g., NextGen)Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) platforms
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems
Tactical Air Operations Module (TAOM)Mission planning and execution software used in civilian aviation and emergency response
Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF)Aeronautical database providers (e.g., Jeppesen, Lido)

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