Meteorologist
$99KHigh match
Growing demand
Live · Guide v1.06801 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 6801Career Guide · Intelligence · VWC.CG.6801.R.04
6801 · USMC · EnlistedMeteorological and Oceanographic (METOC)
Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC)
Analyst.
Marine Corps 6801 (Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Analyst). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $76K–$108K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Meteorology or Oceanography
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6801 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 6801 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have08
- 01Meteorological Observations and Instruments→ Data Collection and Instrumentation
- 02Weather Chart Analysis and Interpretation→ Data Visualization and Interpretation
- 03Numerical Weather Prediction Models→ Statistical Modeling and Simulation
- 04Data Assimilation Techniques→ Data Integration and Preprocessing
- 05System Modeling→ Abstract System Design
- 06Pattern Recognition→ Trend Analysis
- 07Situational Awareness→ Real-time Data Synthesis
- 08After-Action Analysis→ Process Improvement
To learn06
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Python (pandas, scikit-learn) for data analysis and machine learning+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) for data storage and processing+Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) for large-scale data processing+Machine learning algorithms and techniques+Deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
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.
Environmental Scientist
$76KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Knowledge of environmental regulations
- — Data analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS)
- — Environmental sampling techniques
Data Scientist
$108KGood match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced statistical modeling
- — Machine learning
- — Programming languages (Python, R)
Hydrologist
$82KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Groundwater modeling
- — Surface water hydrology
- — Water resource management
Geospatial Analyst
$77KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — GIS software proficiency
- — Remote sensing
- — Spatial statistics
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6801 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
As a meteorologist, you built models of the atmosphere to forecast weather patterns. You understood the complex interplay of temperature, pressure, and moisture to predict future states.
Transfers to
You can construct and manipulate abstract models to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems.
Pattern Recognition
You identified recurring weather patterns, like El Niño or La Niña, from vast datasets to improve forecast accuracy. You spotted subtle anomalies that indicated impending weather events.
Transfers to
You excel at detecting meaningful signals from noise, enabling you to recognize trends and predict outcomes in data-rich environments.
Situational Awareness
You maintained a constant awareness of current weather conditions across a wide geographical area, allowing you to provide timely warnings of potential hazards and changing conditions.
Transfers to
You possess the ability to quickly synthesize diverse data streams to understand complex situations and anticipate future developments.
After-Action Analysis
You reviewed past weather forecasts to identify areas for improvement in models and prediction techniques, leading to more accurate future forecasts.
Transfers to
You can analyze past performance to identify areas for improvement and refine processes for optimal outcomes.
/ 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.
Financial Analyst
SOC 13-2051You've been analyzing vast datasets and identifying patterns to predict weather outcomes. This translates directly to the financial world, where you can analyze market trends and economic indicators to forecast investment opportunities. Your modeling skills become valuable in predicting financial performance.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081You're skilled at predicting and preparing for future events. As a Logistics Analyst, you'll use these skills to anticipate supply chain disruptions and optimize resource allocation. Your situational awareness and ability to model complex systems ensures smooth operations.
Adjacent · MatchData Scientist
SOC 15-2051Your experience in analyzing meteorological data, building predictive models, and recognizing patterns is directly applicable to data science. You've already mastered the core skills of extracting insights from complex data sets, allowing you to excel in this high-demand field.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
METOC Analyst Course
Keesler Air Force Base, MS480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Meteorology or Oceanography
Topics · 8
- Meteorological Observations and Instruments
- Weather Chart Analysis and Interpretation
- Numerical Weather Prediction Models
- Oceanographic Principles
- Tropical Cyclone Forecasting
- Data Assimilation Techniques
- Marine Forecasting
- Weather Briefing Techniques
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM)60%
Requires specific broadcast meteorology knowledge, on-air presentation skills, and adherence to ethical guidelines specific to broadcasting, as well as passing an examination administered by the American Meteorological Society (AMS).
- American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM)70%
Requires a demonstrated history of providing meteorological advice or services to clients, passing a written exam, and evaluation by a board of peers. Focus on business practices and legal aspects of consulting.
Recommended next · 03
- GIS Professional (GISP)Adjacent
- Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS) | Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) | Operations |
| VMAS - Meteorological Data (METDATA) Product Dissemination System (MPDS) | National Weather Service data feeds, Baron Lynx, Weather Decision Technologies (WDT) weather graphics systems | Operations |
| Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Support System - Navy (JMOSS-N) | Commercial weather forecast modeling platforms (e.g., The Weather Company, AccuWeather) | Operations |
| Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) WRF-based ensemble forecast system | NOAA's Global Forecast System (GFS), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model | Operations |
| Tactical Oceanographic Observing System (TOOS) | Oceanographic buoys and sensors networks (e.g., NOAA's National Data Buoy Center) | Operations |
| Meteorological Satellite (METSAT) imagery exploitation systems | Commercial satellite imagery providers (e.g., Maxar, Planet Labs) and associated image processing software (e.g., ENVI) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6801 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.