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Live · Guide v1.09936 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 9936Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.9936.R.04
9936 · USMC · Enlisted

Substance Abuse Control
Officer.

Marine Corps 9936 (Substance Abuse Control Officer). 80 hours of formal training translate to 4 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$72K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours80DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in Chemical Dependency
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways4validated
Cert coverage2/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 9936 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 9936 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05
  • 01
    Procedural ComplianceAdhering to regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, GDPR, or SOC 2.
  • 02
    Situational AwarenessIdentifying security threats and vulnerabilities.
  • 03
    Adversarial ThinkingPenetration testing, threat modeling, and vulnerability assessments.
  • 04
    After-Action AnalysisSecurity incident response and post-incident analysis.
  • 05
    Experience with Marine Corps systems (MCTFS)Understanding of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).
To learn07

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

+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)+Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)+SQL+EHR software (Epic, Cerner)+Data privacy regulations (HIPAA)+Audit methodologies and frameworks
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 · 4
P.01

Substance Abuse Counselor

$55K
High match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) or similar certification
  • Understanding of civilian treatment methodologies
P.02

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinator

$68K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Master's degree in social work, counseling, or related field
  • EAP certification
P.03

Human Resources Specialist

$65K
Moderate match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification
  • Knowledge of HR laws and regulations
P.04

Compliance Officer

$72K
Moderate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Certification in compliance (e.g., Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional - CCEP)
  • Understanding of relevant industry regulations
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 9936 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Procedural Compliance

Following strict protocols for urinalysis screening, documentation, and reporting to maintain legal and ethical standards.

Transfers to

Adhering to detailed regulations and guidelines in highly regulated industries, ensuring accuracy and minimizing errors.

S.02

Situational Awareness

Monitoring trends in substance abuse within the unit, understanding the context of individual cases, and recognizing potential risks to unit readiness.

Transfers to

Identifying and interpreting relevant information in complex environments to anticipate problems and make informed decisions.

S.03

Adversarial Thinking

Anticipating and addressing attempts to circumvent drug testing procedures, developing strategies to maintain the integrity of the screening process.

Transfers to

Identifying potential weaknesses in systems or processes, developing strategies to mitigate risks and prevent fraud or abuse.

S.04

After-Action Analysis

Evaluating the effectiveness of substance abuse prevention programs and urinalysis procedures, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to enhance program outcomes.

Transfers to

Analyzing past performance to identify strengths and weaknesses, developing and implementing strategies to improve future results and optimize processes.

/ 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.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been meticulously following procedures and regulations in the military, especially with the urinalysis program. This translates directly to the role of a Compliance Officer, where you'll ensure that a company adheres to internal policies and legal requirements. Your experience with maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information will also be invaluable.

Adjacent · Match

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099.00

You've honed your adversarial thinking by anticipating and preventing circumvention of drug testing procedures. As a Fraud Investigator, you'll use these skills to uncover and investigate fraudulent activities, analyze data to identify patterns of abuse, and develop strategies to prevent future occurrences. Your attention to detail and commitment to integrity will make you an exceptional investigator.

Adjacent · Match

Health and Safety Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

Your experience in substance abuse prevention and education makes you a strong candidate for a Health and Safety Manager. You've shown a commitment to improving the well-being of military personnel, which easily translates to the civilian sector where you'll be responsible for creating and maintaining safe and healthy work environments. You will be great at identifying risks and implementing preventative measures.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Substance Abuse Counseling Certification Program

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA
80hHours
2wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 3 semester hours in Chemical Dependency

Topics · 8
  • Substance Abuse Education and Prevention Strategies
  • Urinalysis Collection Procedures and Chain of Custody
  • Substance Abuse Counseling Techniques
  • Marine Corps Substance Abuse Policy and Regulations
  • Command Referral Procedures
  • Confidentiality and Privacy Requirements
  • Documentation and Record Keeping
  • Crisis Intervention and Relapse Prevention
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)60%

    Requires study of counseling theories, diagnostic criteria (DSM), ethical guidelines, and supervised clinical experience hours which may not be fully covered by military duties.

  • Employee Assistance Professional (EAP)50%

    Requires a broader understanding of employee assistance programs, mental health in the workplace, and specific intervention strategies beyond substance abuse.

Recommended next · 05
  • Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related fieldAdjacent
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Adjacent
  • Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP)Adjacent
  • Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) - DOTAdjacent
  • SHRM - Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Automated Urinalysis Drug Testing EquipmentLaboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for drug testingOperations
Marine Corps Counseling Programs DatabaseCase management software for social work or counseling servicesData
Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) Training MaterialsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) training resources and platformsOperations
Military Health Records System (e.g., AHLTA, MHS GENESIS)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)Data
Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS)Human Resources Information System (HRIS)Operations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 9936 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.