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Live · Guide v1.09975 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USMC · 9975Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.9975.R.04
9975 · USMC · Enlisted

Information Computer Security
Specialist.

Marine Corps 9975 (Information Computer Security Specialist). 320 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $85K–$130K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours320DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 9975 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 9975 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have06
  • 01
    Networking FundamentalsNetwork Security
  • 02
    Operating System SecurityLinux System Administration
  • 03
    Risk Management Framework (RMF)Compliance Frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)
  • 04
    Adversarial ThinkingThreat Modeling
  • 05
    Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systemsSecurity Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)
  • 06
    Information Assurance Vulnerability Management (IAVM)Vulnerability management platforms
To learn07

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

+Python scripting for security automation+Cloud security fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)+SIEM technologies (Splunk, QRadar)+Cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)+CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI)
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

Information Security Analyst

$105K
High match
Very high demand
P.02

Cybersecurity Engineer

$125K
High match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Cloud security certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Security, Azure Security Engineer)
  • DevSecOps principles
P.03

IT Risk Manager

$130K
Good match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Understanding of risk management frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)
P.04

Compliance Officer

$95K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Knowledge of specific industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS)
  • Legal and regulatory frameworks
P.05

Computer Systems Auditor

$85K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Data analytics tools
  • Auditing methodologies
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 9975 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Adversarial Thinking

As an information security specialist, you're constantly anticipating and defending against potential cyber threats, thinking like an attacker to identify vulnerabilities.

Transfers to

This translates to a strong ability to identify risks and weaknesses in any system, process, or plan, allowing you to proactively prevent problems.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

You rigorously adhere to security protocols and regulations, ensuring all systems and personnel meet stringent standards.

Transfers to

This demonstrates your unwavering commitment to following established guidelines and maintaining order, crucial for regulated industries.

S.03

System Modeling

You develop a deep understanding of complex IT systems, enabling you to identify vulnerabilities and implement effective security measures.

Transfers to

This showcases your ability to analyze and understand intricate systems, a valuable asset in any field that requires problem-solving and strategic thinking.

S.04

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor the security landscape, staying alert to potential threats and vulnerabilities to protect sensitive information.

Transfers to

This translates to a heightened awareness of your surroundings and the ability to anticipate potential problems, crucial for risk management and decision-making.

/ 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 enforcing security protocols and regulations, a direct parallel to ensuring a company adheres to legal and ethical standards.

Adjacent · Match

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2091.00

You've been thinking like an attacker to anticipate and defend against cyber threats. This is exactly the mindset needed to uncover fraudulent activities and protect assets.

Adjacent · Match

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-1129.00

You've been coordinating contingency and backup plans, ensuring systems are resilient in the face of disruptions. This translates directly to planning for and responding to various types of emergencies.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School

Twentynine Palms, CA
320hHours
8wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 6 semester hours recommended

Topics · 7
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Operating System Security
  • Cybersecurity Principles
  • Risk Management Framework (RMF)
  • Incident Response
  • Security Auditing
  • Data Protection and Privacy
Partial coverage · 3
  • CompTIA Security+70%

    While the 9975 role provides strong security fundamentals, studying specific CompTIA Security+ exam topics like cryptography, network security, and risk management frameworks will be necessary.

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40%

    The 9975 role provides a foundation in security principles, but the CISSP requires a broader and deeper understanding of all eight domains of information security, including legal, compliance, and business continuity planning.

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)30%

    The 9975 role focuses on defensive security. CEH requires study of offensive security techniques, including penetration testing methodologies and common attack vectors.

Recommended next · 04
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)Adjacent
  • GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)Adjacent
  • AWS Certified Security - SpecialtyAdjacent
  • Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

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

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS)Vulnerability scanners (e.g., Nessus, Rapid7, Qualys)Operations
Host Based Security System (HBSS)Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions (e.g., CrowdStrike, SentinelOne)Operations
Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN)Enterprise network management and security infrastructureNetworking
Risk Management Framework (RMF)Compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)Operations
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems (e.g., Splunk)Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)Operations
Information Assurance Vulnerability Management (IAVM)Vulnerability management platformsOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 9975 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.