Rifleman

The 0311 Rifleman is the foundation of the Marine Corps — every Marine trains as a rifleman first, and the 0311 MOS is where the infantry begins. Trained at the School of Infantry (SOI) at Camp Pendleton (West Coast) or Camp Lejeune (East Coast), 0311s are the backbone of the rifle squad. They operate the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, M4 carbine, M203 grenade launcher, and AT-4 anti-armor weapon. Their mission: close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver.

What makes the 0311 MOS genuinely difficult to translate on paper is that there is no direct civilian equivalent to leading a fire team through a MOUT exercise or conducting squad-level patrols in contested terrain. The job title — Rifleman — tells civilian employers almost nothing about what you actually did. But beneath that title is a depth of leadership experience that many civilian managers never develop: making real-time decisions under extreme stress, managing personnel across chaotic environments, maintaining accountability for millions of dollars in equipment, and training junior Marines to execute complex tasks independently.

0311s who reach the rank of Corporal or Sergeant have typically led 4-13 Marines in field operations, run live-fire ranges, planned and executed training exercises, and served as the primary decision-maker when things went sideways. By E-5, many have managed training pipelines, served on battalion staffs, or run entire sections. This is management experience — it just doesn't look like it on a traditional resume.

The transition challenge for 0311s is real: you cannot put "rifleman" on a resume and expect a callback. But the skills underneath that title — small-unit leadership, operational planning, risk management, personnel development, and performance under pressure — are exactly what employers in security, law enforcement, operations, project management, and sales are looking for. The key is translating what you did into language those industries understand.

When I separated from the Navy I spent 18 months applying with no callbacks. The issue wasn't my experience — it was how I described it. 0311s carry that problem doubled: "rifleman" on a resume reads as "no transferable skills" to a civilian recruiter. The translation is what costs callbacks, not the work. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder

There is no civilian job called "rifleman." That is the first thing every 0311 needs to accept when starting the transition. But the skills developed in an infantry rifle squad — leadership under pressure, operational planning, personnel management, and accountability for expensive equipment in chaotic environments — are directly applicable to several civilian career fields. The companies listed below actively recruit veterans with infantry backgrounds, and the salary data comes from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Law enforcement and security are the most visible paths, and for good reason: the tactical skills, weapons familiarity, and judgment under stress translate directly. According to BLS, police and sheriff's patrol officers earn a median of $76,290 annually (O*NET 33-3051.00), and the field is projected to grow 3% through 2032. Security management roles — particularly for veterans with NCO experience — offer median salaries of $74,960 for first-line supervisors of protective service workers (33-1090.00).

But law enforcement is not the only option, and many 0311s deliberately choose paths outside of security. Operations management, construction, fitness training, and outdoor recreation are all fields where infantry veterans have built strong careers. The private sector companies below represent a cross-section of industries that value the 0311 background — not just the tactical skills, but the leadership, work ethic, and ability to perform when conditions are far from ideal.

Infantry Marines bring ground-level operational experience that federal agencies — particularly in law enforcement, security, and emergency management — value highly because it cannot be taught in a classroom. Infantry experience maps to more GS series than many veterans realize — security and law enforcement are obvious, but safety, emergency management, program analysis, and training specialist roles are equally strong matches.

The most direct federal matches are in the law enforcement and security family: GS-0083 (Police) covers federal law enforcement officer positions at agencies like the VA Police, Pentagon Force Protection, and Federal Protective Service — many of these have expedited hiring for veterans. GS-0085 (Security Guard) positions are entry points at federal facilities nationwide. GS-0080 (Security Administration) is for veterans targeting security program management rather than patrol. GS-1801 (General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement) and GS-1811 (Criminal Investigation) are available at agencies from the FBI to IRS-CI, though 1811 positions typically require a degree or equivalent experience.

Beyond security, 0311s with NCO experience should look at GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration and Program) — this is one of the broadest federal series and covers program analyst, management analyst, and administrative officer positions across every federal agency. GS-0343 (Management and Program Analysis) specifically targets veterans who can analyze operations and recommend improvements, which is exactly what squad leaders and platoon sergeants do daily. GS-1896 (Border Patrol) is another strong match for infantry Marines comfortable with field operations.

For 0311s who managed ranges, conducted safety briefs, or served as unit safety officers, GS-0018 (Safety and Occupational Health Management) is a natural fit — OSHA compliance and workplace safety draw directly on risk assessment skills honed in training and operations. GS-0089 (Emergency Management) is available at FEMA and within emergency management offices at military installations, DHS components, and state-level agencies.

GS-1712 (Training Instruction) is an underutilized path for infantry NCOs who ran training programs. If you designed ranges, wrote POIs (Programs of Instruction), or served as a combat instructor, you have directly transferable experience for federal training specialist positions.

Key tip: apply to positions at GS-7 through GS-11 initially — Veterans' Preference is most impactful at these levels. Start your USAJobs profile 6 months before separation, and build a federal resume at bestmilitaryresume.com. Federal resumes follow different rules than private sector — 2 pages max.

If you are applying to law enforcement agencies, security companies, or defense contractors — they already know what a fire team leader does. You do not need to translate "squad leader" for a police department recruiter.

This section is for 0311s targeting careers outside of security and law enforcement — project management, operations, sales, construction, corporate roles, or any position where the hiring manager has never heard of a fire team or a FRAGO. The translations below show how to reframe infantry experience into business language that gets past applicant tracking systems and resonates with civilian hiring managers.