Welder
$48KHigh match
High demand
Live · Guide v1.01316 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 1316Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1316.R.04
1316 · USMC · EnlistedMetal
Metal
Worker.
Marine Corps 1316 (Metal Worker). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$58K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in welding technology and materials science
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1316 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 1316 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Blueprint Reading and Interpretation→ Understanding technical specifications, system architecture diagrams, and project requirements.
- 02Determining sequence of operations, materials, tools, equipment, time, and personnel required→ Project planning, resource management, and logistical coordination for technical initiatives.
- 03Operation, maintenance, and repair of metalworking and welding equipment→ System troubleshooting, diagnostic thinking, and understanding hardware-software interactions.
- 04Conducting safety inspection, identification tests, corrosion prevention, armor plate repair procedures→ Quality assurance, rigorous testing, and compliance with operational and security standards.
- 05Degraded-Mode Operations and Situational Awareness→ Incident response, problem-solving under pressure, and proactive risk mitigation in technical systems.
- 06Maintaining engineer equipment records and forms, conducting inventory→ Documentation management, asset tracking, and configuration control for IT systems.
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Agile/Scrum methodologies and project management software (e.g., Jira)+Basic understanding of software development lifecycle and API concepts+Python or JavaScript fundamentals for scripting+Test automation frameworks (e.g., Playwright, Cypress)+SQL for data analysis and querying+Business process modeling (BPMN) and requirements gathering techniques+C / C++ programming language fundamentals+Microcontroller basics and RTOS (Real-Time Operating Systems) concepts
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Maintenance Technician
$55KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — HVAC certification
- — Electrical troubleshooting
Metal Fabricator
$45KHigh match
Growing demand
Quality Control Inspector
$52KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — ASQ certification
- — Blueprint reading
Ironworker
$58KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA safety training
- — Experience with large-scale construction projects
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1316 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Resource Optimization
As a metal worker, you are responsible for planning projects and tasking the required resources. This means optimizing the use of materials, tools, equipment, time, and personnel to complete tasks efficiently and cost-effectively.
Transfers to
Your experience in optimizing resources translates directly into skills highly valued in project management and operations. You can analyze needs, allocate resources strategically, and ensure projects are completed within budget and on schedule.
Procedural Compliance
You strictly adhere to safety protocols, work orders, and technical specifications when performing metalworking tasks. Your attention to detail ensures quality and safety in all operations.
Transfers to
Your commitment to procedural compliance translates into valuable skills in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. You are adept at following established procedures, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring adherence to standards.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You are able to troubleshoot and maintain metalworking and welding equipment under challenging conditions, even when resources are limited or equipment malfunctions. This requires resourcefulness and adaptability to maintain operational readiness.
Transfers to
Your ability to operate effectively in degraded modes demonstrates your problem-solving skills and adaptability. You can quickly diagnose issues, develop alternative solutions, and maintain productivity in the face of unexpected challenges.
Situational Awareness
You maintain a high level of awareness of your surroundings and potential hazards in the metalworking environment. This includes identifying potential safety risks, monitoring equipment performance, and anticipating potential problems.
Transfers to
Your strong situational awareness makes you an ideal candidate for roles that require vigilance and attention to detail, such as safety management or risk assessment. Your ability to anticipate and mitigate potential issues is a valuable asset.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Construction and Building Inspector
SOC 47-4011.00You've been trained to identify defects and ensure compliance with standards. Your background in metalwork gives you a deep understanding of structural integrity, corrosion prevention, and safety regulations, making you a highly qualified inspector.
Adjacent · MatchQuality Control Analyst
SOC 19-4041.00You've consistently ensured the integrity of metalwork through inspections, tests, and adherence to strict standards. You can easily apply your skills to analyze production processes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that products meet or exceed quality expectations.
Adjacent · MatchMachinery Maintenance Supervisor
SOC 49-1011.00You've maintained and repaired complex metalworking and welding equipment, and have maintained equipment records. You have a hands-on understanding of machinery maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair, making you an ideal candidate to lead maintenance teams in industrial or manufacturing settings.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Metal Worker Course
Marine Corps Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, NC480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in welding technology and materials science
Topics · 8
- Blueprint Reading and Interpretation
- Welding Techniques (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW)
- Metal Identification and Properties
- Corrosion Prevention and Control
- Armor Plate Welding and Repair Procedures
- Operation and Maintenance of Metalworking Equipment
- Marine Corps Tactical Welding Shop Operations
- Safety Procedures and Equipment Handling
Partial coverage · 3
- American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder70%
Requires additional study of specific welding processes and filler metals not commonly used in military applications, as well as passing the AWS Certified Welder exam.
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)40%
Requires significant additional study of welding codes, inspection techniques, and quality control procedures. Practical experience in civilian welding inspection is also beneficial.
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety30%
Requires study of OSHA regulations related to construction safety, including hazard recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention. The military training covers some safety aspects, but not all OSHA requirements.
Recommended next · 04
- AWS Certified Welding SupervisorAdjacent
- Associate's Degree in Welding TechnologyAdjacent
- NDT Level II Certification (in methods like Ultrasonic Testing or Radiographic Testing)Adjacent
- Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) - SMEAdjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Welding Shop (TWS) | Mobile Welding Units (truck-mounted) | Operations |
| Oxyacetylene Welding and Cutting System | Oxy-fuel welding and cutting torches | Operations |
| Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Equipment | Arc welding machines | Operations |
| Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Equipment | MIG welding machines | Operations |
| Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Equipment | TIG welding machines | Operations |
| Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) Equipment | Plasma cutters | Operations |
| Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Welding Procedures | American Welding Society (AWS) standards and procedures | Platform |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1316 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.