Small Boat Operator
$55KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
- — First Aid/CPR certification
Live · Guide v1.08111 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 8111Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.8111.R.04
8111 · USMC · EnlistedCRRC
CRRC
Coxswain.
Marine Corps 8111 (CRRC Coxswain). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$62K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Maritime Operations and Leadership
Tech roles3mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 8111 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 8111 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Outboard motor maintenance and repair→ Hardware troubleshooting
- 02Maritime VHF radios→ Communication and explanation of technical solutions
- 03Situational awareness and risk assessment→ Security analysis and threat mitigation
- 04Procedural compliance→ Following established protocols and documentation
- 05Degraded-mode operations→ Problem-solving under pressure
To learn10
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Jira Service Management, Zendesk)+Operating system fundamentals (Windows, macOS, Linux)+Basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS)+Network security principles and practices+Ethical hacking methodologies and tools (Kali Linux)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) basics+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)+Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) basics+Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) fundamentals
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.
Marine Technician
$60KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Marine Mechanic Certification
- — Experience with specific engine brands (e.g., Yamaha, Mercury)
Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician
$62KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced Medical Training (EMT or Paramedic)
- — Swiftwater Rescue Certification
Recreational Boating Instructor
$48KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Certified Boating Instructor License
- — Excellent Communication Skills
Port Security Officer
$45KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Security Clearance
- — Maritime Security Training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 8111 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a CRRC coxswain, you constantly scan your environment – weather, water conditions, potential threats – to ensure the safety of your team and the success of the mission. This heightened awareness allows you to anticipate and react to changes rapidly.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex situations, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments. You can see the 'big picture' while also attending to critical details.
Team Synchronization
The CRRC coxswain is responsible for directing and coordinating the actions of the boat team. Success depends on seamless communication, shared understanding, and the ability to anticipate each other's needs in high-pressure situations.
Transfers to
This translates to exceptional teamwork and leadership skills. You excel at fostering collaboration, motivating others, and ensuring that everyone is working towards a common goal, even when the pressure is on.
Procedural Compliance
You are trained to follow strict protocols for operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the CRRC and its equipment. Your attention to detail and commitment to adhering to procedures is critical for mission success and safety.
Transfers to
This means you are highly disciplined, detail-oriented, and reliable. You understand the importance of following established processes and can be counted on to execute tasks accurately and efficiently.
Degraded-Mode Operations
As a CRRC coxswain, you are trained to handle equipment malfunctions, adverse weather conditions, and unexpected challenges while maintaining mission effectiveness. You're adept at improvising and adapting when things don't go according to plan.
Transfers to
You possess a remarkable ability to stay calm and resourceful in the face of adversity. You are a problem-solver who can think on your feet and find creative solutions to overcome obstacles, even under pressure.
/ 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.
Marine Insurance Underwriter
SOC 13-2053.00You've been deeply immersed in the world of boats, watercraft, and maritime operations. Your understanding of risk assessment, boat maintenance, and potential hazards in a marine environment makes you exceptionally well-suited to evaluate insurance applications and determine appropriate coverage for marine vessels and cargo.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to handle high-pressure situations, maintain situational awareness, and coordinate teams in dynamic environments. Your experience in operating in degraded mode conditions and responding to unexpected challenges translates directly to the skills needed to develop and implement emergency response plans for communities and organizations.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Trainer (Maritime Focus)
SOC 25-9045.00You've mastered the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of specialized watercraft. You have the practical knowledge and experience to effectively train others in these areas. You can leverage your expertise to teach civilian mariners, Coast Guard personnel, or even recreational boaters.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Basic Reconnaissance Course and Coxswain Qualification Course
Coronado, CA480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Maritime Operations and Leadership
Topics · 7
- Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) operation and maintenance
- Outboard motor maintenance and repair (small boat engines)
- Navigation and piloting (coastal and inland waterways)
- Small boat tactics and maneuvering
- Waterborne insertion and extraction techniques
- Communications (maritime VHF radios)
- Weapons handling and marksmanship from a boat platform
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified First Responder (CFR)60%
Advanced medical procedures, detailed anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology specific to emergency medical services.
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification70%
Specific Coast Guard regulations, search and rescue procedures, and communication protocols.
Recommended next · 04
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)Adjacent
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL)Adjacent
- Small craft or boat handling certificationsAdjacent
- Maritime Security Professional (MSP)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft (CRRC) | Inflatable boat, Zodiac boat, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) | Operations |
| Outboard Motors (Various HP) | Mercury, Yamaha, or Evinrude outboard motors | Operations |
| AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio | Motorola APX series, Kenwood Viking series | Operations |
| AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles (NVG) | Night vision goggles, FLIR systems | Operations |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) devices (e.g., DAGR) | Garmin GPS devices, handheld GPS navigation | Operations |
| Maritime Navigation Tools (Charts, Compasses, Sextants) | Nautical charts, marine compasses, GPS chartplotters | Operations |
| Small Arms (M4 Carbine, M9 Pistol) | Similar firearms for security or law enforcement (where permitted) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 8111 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.