Live · Guide v1.0351L · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active

Home/Career Guides/351L

ARMY · 351LCareer Guide · Intelligence · VWC.CG.351L.R.04

351L · ARMY · Enlisted

Counterintelligence
Technician.

Army 351L (Counterintelligence Technician). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Criminal Justice, Intelligence Studies, or related fields.

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/6direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 351L 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 351L training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05

01
Threat Analysis→ Security Risk Assessment
02
Vulnerability Estimates→ Vulnerability Scanning
03
Surveillance/Counter-Surveillance→ Network Monitoring
04
Adversarial Thinking→ Penetration Testing
05
Report Writing and Documentation→ Security Incident Reporting

To learn09

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

+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools (e.g., Splunk, ELK Stack)+Cloud security fundamentals (AWS, Azure, GCP)+Networking basics (TCP/IP, routing, firewalls)+Python for security automation+Digital forensics principles+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Cloud computing concepts+IT infrastructure design

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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5

P.01

Federal Agent (FBI, DHS, etc.)

$95K

High match

High demand

Skills to develop

— Specific agency training (e.g., FBI Academy)
— Law degree or advanced degree in criminal justice (preferred)

P.02

Corporate Security Investigator

$85K

Good match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Relevant security certifications (e.g., CPP, CFE)
— Knowledge of corporate security protocols
— Familiarity with commercial security technologies

P.03

Private Investigator

$65K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— State-specific licensing (if required)
— Business development/marketing skills
— Legal knowledge (evidence handling, surveillance laws)

P.04

Fraud Investigator

$78K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification
— Accounting/financial analysis skills
— Knowledge of fraud detection techniques

P.05

Intelligence Analyst

$80K

Moderate match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Enhanced analytical and critical thinking skills
— Familiarity with data analysis tools and software
— Strong writing and briefing skills

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 351L training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Adversarial Thinking

This role requires you to anticipate the actions of adversaries (espionage agents, saboteurs, terrorists) and develop strategies to counter their moves.

Transfers to

The ability to analyze situations from an opponent's perspective, predict their actions, and develop countermeasures is highly valuable in competitive environments.

S.02

Situational Awareness

You are responsible for maintaining a constant awareness of the operational environment, including potential threats, vulnerabilities, and ongoing investigations.

Transfers to

This translates to the ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify critical factors, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

You must adhere to strict legal and regulatory guidelines while conducting investigations, obtaining warrants, and handling sensitive information.

Transfers to

The discipline to follow established protocols and maintain meticulous records is essential for ensuring accuracy and accountability in any regulated industry.

S.04

After-Action Analysis

You review completed investigations and operations to identify lessons learned, improve future strategies, and enhance overall effectiveness.

Transfers to

The ability to critically evaluate past performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions is crucial for continuous growth and optimization.

/ 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.

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099.00

You've been trained to uncover hidden threats and follow complex trails of evidence. As a fraud investigator, you'll use those skills to detect and prevent financial crimes, protecting businesses and individuals from significant losses.

Adjacent · Match

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

Your experience in adhering to strict regulations and conducting thorough investigations makes you an ideal candidate for a compliance officer role. You'll ensure that organizations follow all applicable laws and internal policies, mitigating risk and maintaining ethical standards.

Adjacent · Match

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161.00

You've honed your analytical skills by analyzing threats and vulnerabilities. As a market research analyst, you can apply these skills to analyze consumer behavior and market trends, helping businesses make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy