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That is Marines MOS 0211. Civilian jobs, federal paths, and how the work reads on a resume.
What is in this guide
What the translation looks like
How it reads in service
Conducted source operations in support of MEF counterintelligence requirements, producing 35+ intelligence reports over a 12-month deployment
How a hiring manager reads it
Managed a portfolio of 15+ external stakeholder relationships, producing 35 analytical reports that directly informed executive-level strategic decisions over a 12-month period
Roles this background maps to
Median pay, BLS OEWS May 2024
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Marine Corps Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) specialists (MOS 0211) are trained to detect, identify, and neutralize threats from foreign intelligence services, insider threats, and terrorist networks. They conduct source operations, debriefings, screenings, and full-scope counterintelligence investigations in support of Marine Corps and joint force operations worldwide.
The 0211 pipeline starts at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC) at Dam Neck, Virginia, where students spend roughly 20 weeks learning CI fundamentals: source handling, elicitation techniques, surveillance and counter-surveillance, interrogation, and intelligence report writing. After the schoolhouse, 0211s are assigned to counterintelligence teams organic to Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs), Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA), or MARSOC elements. Some receive follow-on training in strategic debriefing, CI functional services, or advanced HUMINT operations.
What makes 0211s valuable in the civilian job market goes beyond the obvious intelligence skills. These Marines develop expertise in interviewing, behavioral analysis, investigative methodology, evidence handling, and written intelligence reporting — all conducted under strict legal and regulatory frameworks. They hold TS/SCI clearances (and often additional accesses), which represent significant market value for defense and intelligence-sector employers.
0211s carry one of the most underrepresented backgrounds in cleared federal hiring — credentialed CI experience and HUMINT operations training. From the federal hiring side, the 0132 Intelligence Specialist series at FBI, DCSA, NCIS, and DoD components actively recruits former CI Marines. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
The number that decides most of this: how does civilian pay compare to what the paycheck looks like now?
Marines mid-career
$58K to $82K
E-5 to E-7 total comp: base plus BAH, BAS and the tax advantage.
Civilian Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) Specialist
$53K to $120K
BLS median across the direct-match civilian roles on this page.
Federal, GS-9 to GS-13
$58K to $120K
10 matching GS series, plus locality pay and step increases.
About 17% higher on average
Civilian roles for Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) Specialists pay about $12K more than mid-career enlisted total comp.
Military comp is approximate and moves with location and dependents. Civilian is the BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. The real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step and overtime.
The private sector demand for CI/HUMINT backgrounds has expanded well beyond traditional defense contracting. Corporate security, insider threat programs, due diligence investigations, and risk consulting firms actively recruit people with source operations and investigative experience.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), intelligence analysts earn a median annual wage of $99,710 (O*NET 33-3021.06). Private investigators and examiners earn a median of $53,320 (O*NET 33-9021.00), though senior corporate investigators at major firms often exceed this figure. Information security analysts — a growing field for CI professionals who pivot toward cyber threat intelligence — earn a median of $120,360 (O*NET 15-1212.00).
The TS/SCI clearance is the single biggest differentiator in this job market. Cleared positions with defense contractors and intelligence community support firms typically offer 20-40% salary premiums over comparable uncleared roles. That clearance stays active for up to 24 months after separation if not renewed — start your job search well before it lapses.
| Civilian job title | Industry | BLS median salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence AnalystO*NET 33-3021.06 | Government / Defense / Intelligence | $99,710 | Much faster than average (8%) | strong |
| Private Investigator / Corporate InvestigatorO*NET 33-9021.00 | Professional Services / Corporate Security | $53,320 | About as fast as average (6%) | strong |
| Information Security AnalystO*NET 15-1212.00 | Cybersecurity / IT | $120,360 | Much faster than average (33%) | moderate |
| Compliance OfficerO*NET 13-1041.00 | Finance / Healthcare / Government | $75,670 | About as fast as average (5%) | moderate |
| Security Management SpecialistO*NET 33-9032.00 | Corporate Security / Government | $65,080 | About as fast as average (3%) | strong |
| Fraud Examiner / Financial InvestigatorO*NET 13-2099.00 | Finance / Insurance / Government | $77,630 | About as fast as average | moderate |
| Forensic Science TechnicianO*NET 19-4092.00 | Law Enforcement / Government | $64,940 | Faster than average (14%) | moderate |
| Management Analyst / ConsultantO*NET 13-1111.00 | Consulting / Government / Corporate | $99,410 | Faster than average (10%) | moderate |
Major IC support contractor. Hires cleared CI/HUMINT professionals for intelligence analysis, counterintelligence, and advisory roles across DIA, CIA, and combatant commands.
Large-scale intelligence support contracts across the IC. HUMINT collection management, CI analysis, and all-source intelligence positions.
Intelligence analysis, cyber operations, and CI support contracts with DIA, NSA, and combatant commands. SkillBridge partner.
Specializes in intelligence community support. CI, HUMINT, and insider threat program positions. Strong presence in the DC metro area.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and support. CI and HUMINT analyst positions supporting military and IC customers.
Global leader in corporate investigations, due diligence, and risk consulting. Hires investigators with source handling and interviewing backgrounds.
Global business advisory firm with forensic investigation, corporate intelligence, and litigation consulting practices. Values investigative methodology experience.
Intelligence community contracts across multiple agencies. CI, HUMINT, and all-source intelligence analyst positions. SkillBridge participant.
Government advisory and risk consulting practices. Hires cleared professionals for federal consulting, cybersecurity advisory, and investigation support roles.
Direct federal employer. NCIS actively recruits former Marine CI professionals as special agents. Interview and CI investigation skills transfer directly.
CI/HUMINT experience is directly relevant to both special agent and intelligence analyst career tracks. Language skills and overseas experience add value.
Multiple components hire former CI/HUMINT professionals. CBP for border intelligence, ICE HSI for criminal investigations, Secret Service for protective intelligence.
BMR rewrites your 0211 experience for any of the roles above, in the language the people reading actually scan for.
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Upload it and get a number in about a minute, plus the 0211 lines a civilian hiring manager will not follow and what to write instead. No account.
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Eli · Colonel (O-6) · Marines · Operations and Intelligence
Federal agencies are the largest employer of CI/HUMINT professionals outside the military. The intelligence community, federal law enforcement, and security organizations all have direct-match positions for 0211s. Veterans' Preference gives you an edge, but in the intelligence and law enforcement world, your clearance, polygraph history, and operational experience often matter more than preference points.
The GS-0132 (Intelligence) series is the most direct match — covering intelligence analyst, collection manager, and CI analyst positions across DIA, CIA, NSA, FBI, and the service intelligence agencies. GS-1811 (Criminal Investigator) is another strong fit, particularly with agencies like NCIS, DCIS, FBI, and DEA where interview and investigation skills translate directly. GS-0080 (Security Administration) covers insider threat analysts, security specialists, and special security officers — all roles that leverage CI training.
Beyond the obvious matches: GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration) captures program analyst and operations specialist billets within intelligence agencies. GS-1801 (General Inspection) and GS-1810 (General Investigation) cover inspector general and compliance investigation roles. GS-0343 (Management Analyst) positions exist at every federal agency and value the analytical rigor CI professionals bring. GS-1896 (Border Patrol Agent) and GS-1801 roles with CBP recruit heavily from military intelligence backgrounds.
| Series | Federal job title | Typical grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0132 | Intelligence | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | 5 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1810 | General Investigating | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1811 | Criminal Investigator | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0080 | Security Administration | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1801 | General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1896 | Border Patrol Agent | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-2210 | Information Technology Management | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0083 | Police | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0343 | Management and Program Analyst | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 3 of 5 | View details |
Federal raters match your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement. BMR writes the federal format for any GS series above, with the hours per week and supervisor detail a rater looks for.
Free to start. Federal and private sector formats included.
Not everyone stays in a related field. These paths run on the transferable half of the job: leadership, risk, logistics, planning.
The same elicitation and rapport skills used to draw out a reluctant HUMINT source translate directly to drawing out clients in recovery, where trust and reading nonverbal cues decide whether someone opens up.
Transfers: Structured clinical interviewing, Building rapport with guarded, distrustful subjects, Reading nonverbal cues and behavioral baselines, Motivational, non-confrontational questioning.
How to get there: Earn an associate or bachelor's in counseling or psychology, then complete state-required supervised hours and a licensing exam (LCDC, CADC, or equivalent by state).
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 17% (Much faster than average)
Counterintelligence work is professional human research: framing questions, running interviews, and turning scattered signals into a confident read. That is exactly what qualitative market research demands.
Transfers: Designing and conducting structured interviews, Detecting evasion and inconsistency in responses, Synthesizing fragmented inputs into an assessment, Cross-cultural and demographic communication.
How to get there: A bachelor's in marketing, business, statistics, or social science gets you in; a certificate in market research or analytics tools (SPSS, Qualtrics) accelerates the move.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 8% (Faster than average)
Mediation lives on the ability to read what people actually want behind what they say and to keep guarded parties talking, the core craft of HUMINT interviewing applied to civil disputes.
Transfers: Neutral, non-leading questioning, Detecting deception and hidden agendas, De-escalation and rapport under tension, Reading competing parties for true interests.
How to get there: Most mediators hold a bachelor's and complete a 30-40 hour state-approved mediation training; court rosters and community programs are common entry points without a law degree.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 5% (Faster than average)
Investigative reporting is built on cultivating sources, conducting hard interviews, and separating fact from spin, the same disciplines that define collection and reporting in the HUMINT cycle.
Transfers: Source cultivation and relationship building, Interviewing reluctant or hostile subjects, Verifying claims and spotting fabrication, Synthesizing raw information into a clear account.
How to get there: A degree in journalism or communications helps, but a portfolio of published work and freelance clips often matters more; many start with local outlets or a beat.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · -3% (Decline)
Selling protection products is needs elicitation under another name: getting a guarded prospect to reveal real concerns, reading what they will not say, and earning trust fast, all native to HUMINT work.
Transfers: Needs-based elicitation and questioning, Building trust quickly with strangers, Reading hesitation and unspoken objections, Long-term relationship cultivation.
How to get there: Pass your state's licensing exam (life, health, or property and casualty) after a short pre-licensing course; most agencies provide on-the-job sales training.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 6% (Faster than average)
Major-gift fundraising is source cultivation in the philanthropic world: identifying a prospect, building a real relationship over time, and reading their true motivation before the ask, a direct parallel to developing a HUMINT source.
Transfers: Cultivating long-term, trust-based relationships, Reading donor motivation and intent, Tailored, persuasive one-on-one communication, Identifying and developing prospects.
How to get there: A bachelor's in communications, nonprofit management, or any field plus relationship-building experience opens the door; the CFRE credential boosts advancement.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 6% (Faster than average)
The skills behind the specialty carry further than the specialty. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the paths above without making it sound like you have never done the work.
Free to start. Try as many angles as you want.
If you're targeting intelligence community contractors, federal law enforcement, or security-sector jobs, your terminology largely carries over — recruiters in those spaces know what HUMINT means. This section is for 0211s targeting careers outside the intelligence and security world: corporate roles, consulting, project management, or any position where the hiring manager has no frame of reference for CI operations.
Before, in service
Conducted source operations in support of MEF counterintelligence requirements, producing 35+ intelligence reports over a 12-month deployment
After, on the resume
Managed a portfolio of 15+ external stakeholder relationships, producing 35 analytical reports that directly informed executive-level strategic decisions over a 12-month period
Before, in service
Led 8 CI investigations involving personnel security concerns, foreign contact reporting, and potential insider threats per AR 381-20 requirements
After, on the resume
Led 8 complex internal investigations involving policy compliance, personnel security assessments, and risk mitigation, adhering to federal regulatory requirements and delivering findings to senior leadership
Before, in service
Delivered weekly intelligence briefings to MEF commanding general on CI threats, force protection concerns, and operational security posture
After, on the resume
Delivered weekly executive briefings to senior leadership on organizational risk assessments, security posture, and recommended mitigation strategies, directly influencing operational decisions
Before, in service
Authored 50+ IIRs disseminated across the intelligence community, maintaining 98% first-pass quality rate per DIA standards
After, on the resume
Authored 50+ analytical reports distributed to multiple business units and external partners, maintaining 98% first-submission acceptance rate through rigorous quality control and editorial standards
Before, in service
Conducted 200+ screenings and debriefings of foreign nationals, detainees, and U.S. personnel, extracting actionable intelligence per HUMINT methodology
After, on the resume
Conducted 200+ structured interviews and personnel assessments, utilizing proven methodology to evaluate credibility, extract relevant information, and produce written evaluation summaries for organizational decision-making
Before, in service
Maintained TS/SCI information security protocols for a 12-person CI team, including safe combinations, access rosters, and destruction logs with zero security violations
After, on the resume
Managed information security protocols for a 12-person team handling sensitive proprietary data, maintaining access control rosters, audit logs, and compliance documentation with zero security incidents
Before, in service
Produced quarterly threat assessments for base commander covering foreign intelligence threats, insider threat indicators, and force protection vulnerabilities across a 5,000-person installation
After, on the resume
Developed quarterly organizational risk assessments covering external threats, internal vulnerabilities, and security gaps across a 5,000-person facility, recommending countermeasures that reduced identified risks by 40%
Before, in service
Served as CI team leader for a 6-person HUMINT collection team during deployment, managing all source operations, training, and intelligence production
After, on the resume
Led a 6-person specialized investigation and analysis team, managing personnel development, work prioritization, quality assurance, and client deliverables across multiple concurrent projects
BMR turns your 0211 duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets aimed at the job you are applying for. No manual translation.
Free to start. Tailored to each posting.
Which ones you need depends on where you are headed.
BeneficialCost $400 - $600Time 2-4 months studyFor corporate compliance career paths. CI regulatory compliance experience (AR 381-20, DoDD 5240.01) demonstrates compliance program understanding.
RecommendedCost $400 - $600Time 2-3 months studyGI Bill eligibleDoD 8570 baseline certification for IAT Level II. Required for many government IT/cyber positions. Some 0211s earn this in service depending on billet.
BeneficialCost $750 - $800 examTime 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleGold standard for cybersecurity management. Requires 5 years experience (military CI/cyber work counts). Opens doors to CISO-track and senior security roles.
BeneficialCost $575 - $760Time 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleFocuses on information security program management rather than technical implementation. CI program management experience is directly relevant. Good for management-track cyber roles.
BeneficialCost $400 - $500Time 3-4 months studyGI Bill eligibleFor 0211s targeting HR career paths. Interview skills, background screening experience, and personnel management translate to HR functions.
BeneficialCost $300 - $475Time 3-4 months studyGI Bill eligibleAlternative to PHR for HR career paths. Broader scope covering strategic HR competencies. Interviewing and personnel assessment skills from CI are directly relevant.
RecommendedCost $450 - $550Time 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleIndustry standard for corporate investigations and fraud examination. CI investigation experience counts toward the experience requirement. Strong for private sector investigation roles.
BeneficialCost $400 - $555Time 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleGold standard for project management. CI operational planning hours likely count toward the 36-month experience requirement. Opens doors across all industries.
RecommendedCost $400 - $600Time 3-6 months studyPremier certification for security management professionals. CI background covers many exam domains: investigations, personnel security, threat assessment, and information protection.
BeneficialCost $350 - $500Time 2-4 months studyFor 0211s targeting physical security management. Covers threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, and security countermeasures — all part of CI training.
Placement decides whether a screener ever sees it. BMR knows where each one ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it.
Free to start. Built around your real certs and clearance.
SkillBridge Programs: Several intelligence community support contractors participate in DOD SkillBridge, including Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, and Leidos. Check the SkillBridge database for current openings — positions fill quickly for cleared personnel.
Intelligence Community Careers: Apply directly through IntelligenceCareers.gov for CIA, NSA, DIA, NGA, and NRO positions. Start applications 6-9 months before separation — the federal hiring process is slow, and TS/SCI transfers can add time.
NCIS & Federal Law Enforcement: NCIS actively recruits former 0211s. Also check FBI, DEA, CBP, and Secret Service — your interview skills and investigative methodology are directly relevant. Age cutoff for most federal 1811 positions is 37.
Industry Associations: The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) hosts events connecting cleared professionals with employers. AFCEA International runs intelligence-focused chapters and job fairs.
Corporate Investigations & Compliance: Companies like Kroll, FTI Consulting, and the Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) hire investigators for fraud, compliance, and due diligence roles. Your source handling and report writing translate directly to corporate investigation methodology.
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard. CI operations involve planning, coordination, resource management, and multi-stakeholder reporting — that is project management. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member). GI Bill covers some prep courses.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately. Key agencies beyond the IC: Department of Energy (counterintelligence), DHS (multiple CI billets), Department of State (Diplomatic Security), and inspector general offices across every federal agency. Federal resumes are 2 pages max. Build yours here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives. You'll get paired with someone in your target industry — invaluable for breaking into non-intelligence careers.
Clearance Leverage: Your TS/SCI is worth real money — defense contractors pay premiums for cleared hires because the investigation costs $5,000-15,000+ and takes months. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions requiring active clearances. Don't let yours lapse during transition.
Education Benefits: GI Bill covers professional certifications and degree programs. For intelligence careers, consider a master's in intelligence studies, security studies, or data analytics. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval before enrolling.
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Most people do this backwards: wait for terminal leave, then panic. This is the sequence that works. Already out? Same plan, day one is today.
Days 0 to 30
Days 30 to 60
Days 60 to 90
According to BLS May 2024 data, intelligence analysts earn a median annual wage of $99,710 (O*NET 33-3021.06). Salaries vary significantly by employer — intelligence community contractors in the DC metro area typically offer higher compensation than private sector analytical roles in other markets. Information security analysts, a related field, earn a median of $120,360.
Extremely valuable. An active TS/SCI clearance saves employers $5,000-15,000+ and 6-18 months of investigation time. Defense contractors and intelligence community support firms pay 20-40% salary premiums for cleared hires. Your clearance stays active for up to 24 months after separation if not renewed, so start your job search before it lapses. Sites like ClearanceJobs.com list positions specifically requiring active clearances.
Many 0211s successfully transition to careers with no intelligence connection. Your transferable skills — structured interviewing, analytical writing, project coordination, risk assessment, and stakeholder management — apply to corporate consulting, human resources, compliance, and program management roles. The Career Change Paths section above covers specific non-intelligence careers with BLS salary data and entry paths.
For federal intelligence positions (GS-0132), a bachelor's degree is generally required at GS-7 and above, though extensive specialized experience can substitute. For defense contractor positions, requirements vary — some accept equivalent military experience in lieu of a degree. For corporate investigation and security roles, experience often matters more than education. The GI Bill is worth considering for a degree in intelligence studies, security studies, international relations, or data analytics if your target employers require one.
Focus on methodology, not missions. Instead of 'I ran source operations in a denied area,' say 'I managed long-term stakeholder relationships to gather critical business intelligence, producing written assessments that informed executive-level decisions.' Instead of 'I conducted CI investigations,' say 'I led complex, multi-month investigations involving interviews, evidence analysis, and regulatory compliance, delivering findings to senior leadership.' Quantify everything — number of reports produced, team sizes, project durations.
DIA, CIA, NSA, NCIS, and FBI are the largest direct employers. DHS (CBP, ICE HSI, Secret Service) recruits heavily from military CI/HUMINT backgrounds. Department of Energy has its own counterintelligence division. Every federal agency has an inspector general office that values investigative skills. Don't overlook Department of State Diplomatic Security — they need CI-trained people for overseas security programs.
Veterans' Preference gives you 5 or 10 extra points on federal hiring assessments (10 for disabled veterans). For competitive service positions on USAJobs, this is significant. However, many intelligence positions are in the excepted service (CIA, NSA, DIA), where Veterans' Preference is applied differently — it's a consideration factor rather than a point system. Either way, your military intelligence experience is the primary qualifier. Start your federal resume at bestmilitaryresume.com — federal resumes follow different rules than private sector.
Depends on your target career. For cybersecurity/insider threat: Security+ or CISSP (your CI investigations background counts toward experience requirements). For corporate investigations: CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) from ACFE. For project management: start PMP prep — your operational planning hours likely count. For federal law enforcement: fitness and polygraph readiness matter more than certifications. Universal: keep your First Aid/CPR current and get your LinkedIn profile built.
Similar but not identical. Army 35M focuses primarily on HUMINT collection, while Marine 0211 combines both counterintelligence and HUMINT into one MOS. 0211s typically receive training in both CI investigations and source operations, giving them a broader skill set. Both qualify for the same civilian intelligence and investigation roles. Check the cross-branch comparison on this page for related MOSes.
Yes — and you should. Start 12 months before your EAS. At 180 days out, you may be eligible for DOD SkillBridge to work full-time at a civilian employer while still receiving military pay. For federal positions, apply 6-9 months out — the federal hiring process is slow, especially for cleared positions requiring TS/SCI transfers. Get your resume ready 6 months out, build your LinkedIn network, and attend cleared job fairs (they happen regularly in the DC metro area, San Diego, and Hampton Roads).
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Career data from O*NET OnLine.
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