Home / Military to civilian jobs / Marines / 1391
That is Marines MOS 1391. 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
Operated TBFDS to deliver bulk fuel during expeditionary operations.
How a hiring manager reads it
Operated mobile bulk fuel distribution infrastructure (3,000+ feet of pipeline, six 50,000-gallon storage tanks) supporting continuous operations.
Roles this background maps to
Median pay, BLS OEWS May 2024
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The Marine Corps 1391 Expeditionary Fuels Technician (formerly the Bulk Fuel Specialist) runs the petroleum logistics tail that keeps every other Marine in the fight. 1391s receive, store, test, and issue bulk fuel through the Tactical Bulk Fuel Delivery System (TBFDS), the Amphibious Assault Fuel System (AAFS), and the Helicopter Expedient Refueling System (HERS). The work covers fuel reception from tanker trucks, rail cars, ships, and pipelines; quality testing in field labs to detect water, sediment, and contamination; bulk storage in collapsible fabric tanks ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 gallons; and transfer or issue to ground vehicles, generators, and forward arming and refueling points (FARPs).
1391s train at the Marine Corps Engineer School aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The pipeline runs roughly 13 weeks of recruit training at Parris Island or San Diego, then about 5 weeks of MOS school covering fuel system operations, pump and filter maintenance, fuel quality testing, and expeditionary fuels operations. Most 1391s serve in Bulk Fuel Companies inside Engineer Support Battalions tied to the Marine Logistics Group, with billets across Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, and rotational MEU deployments. The job lives at the intersection of mechanical maintenance, hazardous materials handling, and supply accountability — and the people who do it well end up running fuel farms that move millions of gallons a year.
What makes 1391s genuinely valuable on the civilian side is how rare the combination is. Most petroleum workers in the private sector run one type of system in one type of facility. A 1391 has reset bulk fuel infrastructure in austere environments, sampled product against ASTM-equivalent standards, troubleshot pumps and filtration mid-operation, and managed inventory accountability where every gallon is reconciled. Compare that Marine Corps 3043 Supply Administration path or browse the full career translation hub for adjacent specialties.
I worked across federal supply and contracting for years after the Navy, and 1391s have one of the most specialized petroleum supply paths the Marine Corps produces. The Tactical Bulk Fuel Delivery System (TBFDS), Amphibious Assault Fuel System (AAFS), and bulk-fuel quality testing experience translates almost 1:1 to DLA Energy positions, federal facility fuels operations, and commercial bulk fuel handling at airports, refineries, and pipeline operations. — 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 Expeditionary Fuels Technician
$44K to $80K
BLS median across the direct-match civilian roles on this page.
Federal, GS-9 to GS-13
$58K to $120K
9 matching GS series, plus locality pay and step increases.
Comparable on average
Civilian pay for Expeditionary Fuels Technicians lands in the same range as 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.
Civilian petroleum work splits into a few real lanes for 1391s: airport fuel operations, refinery and pipeline work, commercial bulk fuel distribution, and industrial fuel system operations at large facilities. The pay range runs from about $50K for entry pump operator roles to $90K+ for senior pipeline operators, refinery technicians, and credentialed fuel quality inspectors. The 1391 toolkit (TBFDS pumps, AAFS pipelines, fuel sampling labs, hazmat-marked transfers) translates without much friction.
Geography matters. Refinery and pipeline work concentrates in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast. Airport into-plane fueling lives at every major hub but pays best at the largest contractors (Allied Aviation, Swissport, Menzies). Bulk fuel distribution and federal facility fuels exist at every DoD installation. For salary benchmarks across military-to-civilian paths, see Military to Civilian Salary: What You're Worth.
Cross-branch overlap with the petroleum-supply community runs deep. The Army 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist career path is the closest sister MOS, and the Air Force 2F0X1 Fuels page covers the aviation refueling side that mirrors many 1391 roles. Build a tailored 1391 resume free in under 5 minutes.
| Civilian job title | Industry | BLS median salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump System OperatorO*NET 53-7072.00 | Petroleum & Pipeline Operations | $60,000 | Stable (Little or no change) | strong |
| Stationary Engineer / Boiler OperatorO*NET 51-8021.00 | Industrial Operations | $69,000 | 2% (Slower than average) | strong |
| Petroleum Pump System Operator (Refinery)O*NET 53-7073 | Refining & Pipeline | $80,000 | Stable | strong |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor OperatorO*NET 53-7051.00 | Logistics & Distribution | $44,000 | 7% (As fast as average) | moderate |
| Fuel Truck Driver (Hazmat-endorsed)O*NET 53-3032.00 | Transportation & Logistics | $54,000 | 4% (As fast as average) | strong |
| Petroleum Tank Inspector (API 653)O*NET 47-4011.00 | Petroleum Inspection & QA | $67,000 | 3% (Slower than average) | moderate |
| Logistics Coordinator / SpecialistO*NET 13-1081.00 | Logistics & Supply Chain | $79,400 | 19% (Much faster than average) | moderate |
| Operations SupervisorO*NET 13-1199.07 | Industrial Operations | $66,800 | 6% (Faster than average) | moderate |
Largest federal employer of petroleum-trained veterans. Bulk fuels operations across every DoD installation worldwide.
Refinery operators, pump operators, and fuel quality positions across U.S. operations. Active veteran hiring program.
Refinery operations, pipeline, and fuels roles. Strong veteran recruitment pipeline at Baytown and Beaumont complexes.
Refinery operator and pipeline technician roles, plus offshore platform fuels operations.
Whiting refinery and pipeline operations hire fuels-trained veterans for operator and technician roles.
Largest U.S. refiner. Refinery operator, pipeline, and terminal positions across Gulf Coast and Midwest.
Refinery, pipeline, and midstream operations across the U.S. Active military-to-civilian hiring track.
Largest into-plane fuel services contractor in North America. Hires hazmat-credentialed veterans heavily.
Global airport ground services including into-plane fueling. Hires fuel-trained veterans across major hubs.
Aviation fueling and ground handling at major U.S. airports. Hazmat-endorsed roles and supervisor tracks.
Federal facility fuels operations and DoD logistics contracts. Active SkillBridge program.
DoD installation fuels operations and federal facility logistics. Strong veteran hiring track and SkillBridge.
Federal logistics, fuels, and base operations support across DoD. Active veteran recruitment.
Defense contractor with operations support roles for fuels and logistics specialists at major DoD facilities.
Defense systems and services roles including base operations support, logistics, and federal facility fuels.
Federal services and DoD support contracts with operations and logistics roles for transitioning veterans.
BMR rewrites your 1391 experience for any of the roles above, in the language the people reading actually scan for.
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Eli · Colonel (O-6) · Marines · Operations and Intelligence
Federal hiring is one of the strongest paths for 1391s because the petroleum, fuels, and bulk-supply work the Marine Corps trained you to do is exactly what the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA Energy), GSA, the Department of Energy, and DoD installation fuels operations need every day. Veterans' Preference plus 1391-specific training stacks well against civilian-only applicants. The catch is the federal resume format and keyword vocabulary — get those wrong and your application sinks before a hiring manager sees it.
DLA Energy is the single largest federal employer for petroleum-trained veterans. They run bulk fuels operations across every DoD installation, manage the Defense Working Capital Fund for petroleum, and contract billions in annual fuel deliveries. Most honorably discharged 1391s qualify for 5-point preference, and disabled veterans qualify for 10-point preference. Apply directly through USAJobs.gov with saved searches for "fuel," "petroleum," and the GS series above.
Other federal hiring lanes that often surprise 1391s: VA hospital and medical center fuels operations, GSA federal facility fuels, NASA test-stand fuels at Stennis and Marshall, and Department of Energy national lab fuels. For the federal resume side, see the Navy LS Logistics Specialist guide for parallel federal logistics paths, or use the BMR federal resume builder directly.
| Series | Federal job title | Typical grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-2030 | Distribution Facilities and Storage Management | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 5 of 5 | View details |
| GS-2010 | Inventory Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 5 of 5 | View details |
| GS-2150 | Transportation Operations | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0346 | Logistics Management | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1670 | Equipment Services | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| WG-6907 | Materials Handler | WG-5, WG-7, WG-9 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| WG-5803 | Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic | WG-9, WG-10, WG-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0028 | Environmental Protection Specialist | 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.
Running a treatment plant is operating pumps, valves, and distribution lines while keeping product within spec and inside environmental limits, which is exactly what bulk-fuel work is, minus the fuel. The systems thinking and compliance discipline transfer one-for-one.
Transfers: Operating pump and fluid-distribution systems, Monitoring flow, pressure, and quality across a network, Environmental and regulatory compliance, Spill prevention and containment response.
How to get there: Most states license operators through a tiered exam, starting at Grade 1 or 2 with a short course. Many utilities hire veterans into trainee operator roles and pay for certification.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 7% (Faster than average)
Bulk-fuel Marines live inside hazmat protocols, containment, PPE, and spill response, every day. Environmental remediation pays directly for that discipline on asbestos, lead, mold, and chemical cleanup sites.
Transfers: Hazardous-material handling and containment, Spill response and decontamination procedures, Personal protective equipment and exposure control, Regulatory documentation under EPA and OSHA standards.
How to get there: Complete OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour certification, a short course often employer-paid, then enter as a remediation technician. Veteran hazmat experience shortens the ramp considerably.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 7% (Faster than average)
A chemical plant moves hazardous fluids through pumps, manifolds, and pressurized lines under strict safety control, the same operating picture a 1311 manages on a fuel farm. The product changes, the systems and the safety mindset do not.
Transfers: Operating pressurized fluid and transfer systems, Controlling flow, temperature, and pressure to spec, Hazardous-product handling and safety interlocks, Continuous monitoring and process documentation.
How to get there: Enter as a trainee operator at a chemical or petrochemical plant. A process technology associate degree, GI Bill eligible, accelerates the move into board-operator roles.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 4% (As fast as average)
Spill prevention and product-quality testing are already part of bulk-fuel work. Environmental technicians do the same sampling and contamination analysis across soil, water, and air for consulting firms and regulators.
Transfers: Sampling and contamination testing, Spill assessment and source tracing, Environmental compliance and reporting, Field handling of hazardous samples.
How to get there: Earn an associate degree in environmental science or environmental technology, GI Bill eligible. Some consulting firms hire field-experienced veterans into sampling-technician roles and train on lab methods.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 5% (Faster than average)
Fire departments run hazmat and fuel-spill response constantly, and a 1311 already understands flammable-product behavior, containment, and pump operations better than most recruits. The fire-ground fluid systems are familiar territory.
Transfers: Hazardous-material emergency response, Fuel and chemical spill control, Working calmly inside high-risk environments, Pump and hose-line fluid operations.
How to get there: Complete a fire academy and EMT certification, often employer-sponsored. Veterans frequently receive hiring preference, and bulk-fuel hazmat experience is a clear advantage for hazmat-team assignments.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 4% (As fast as average)
A 1311 already pulls fuel samples and checks them against spec before product moves. Chemical technicians run that same quality-control process in labs for manufacturers and refiners across industries.
Transfers: Product quality and contamination testing, Sampling fuels and fluids to specification, Following strict procedures and recording results, Safe handling of hazardous samples.
How to get there: Earn an associate degree in chemical or laboratory technology, GI Bill eligible. Some labs hire veterans with hands-on sampling experience into technician roles and train on instrumentation.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 4% (As fast as 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 staying in petroleum, fuels, or bulk-supply work, your terminology translates directly. Refineries, pipeline operators, and airport fuel contractors know what TBFDS, AAFS, and bulk fuel transfer mean. This section is for 1391s targeting careers OUTSIDE the petroleum specialty: operations management, logistics, safety, environmental compliance, or industrial supervision.
The 1391 vocabulary is dense and specialized. Civilian recruiters in operations, logistics, or facility management will not pattern-match on these terms unless they're translated. Key swaps:
Before (Military): Operated TBFDS and AAFS to provide bulk fuel support across MEU deployment.
After (Civilian Operations Supervisor): Operated mobile bulk fuel distribution infrastructure (3,000+ feet of pipeline, six 50,000-gallon storage tanks) supporting expeditionary operations across 7-month deployment. Issued 1.2M+ gallons with zero contamination incidents and full inventory accountability.
Before (Military): Conducted fuel quality surveillance using AEL-equivalent test kits and reported results to senior NCO.
After (Civilian QA Technician): Performed petroleum product quality assurance testing using field laboratory equipment to detect water content, particulate contamination, and product specification compliance. Documented 200+ sample results across 12-month period with zero quality escapes.
Before (Military): Supervised four junior Marines operating fuel pumps and transfer systems during round-the-clock operations.
After (Civilian Crew Lead): Led 4-person crew operating bulk fuel transfer systems on continuous 24/7 operational tempo. Achieved 100% uptime across 90+ shift cycles with zero safety incidents and full hazmat compliance.
For the broader translation playbook, read 50 Military Terms Translated to Civilian Language and Military Logistics to Supply Chain Resume Guide. Or skip ahead and let the BMR military resume builder handle the translation work.
Before, in service
Operated TBFDS to deliver bulk fuel during expeditionary operations.
After, on the resume
Operated mobile bulk fuel distribution infrastructure (3,000+ feet of pipeline, six 50,000-gallon storage tanks) supporting continuous operations.
Before, in service
Maintained AAFS pipeline and pumping equipment in austere environments.
After, on the resume
Maintained 8-mile expeditionary pipeline and pumping infrastructure including six bulk storage tanks and four pumping stations.
Before, in service
Conducted fuel quality surveillance using AEL test kits and reported results to senior NCO.
After, on the resume
Performed petroleum product quality assurance testing using field laboratory equipment to detect water content, particulate contamination, and product specification compliance. Documented 200+ sample results with zero quality escapes.
Before, in service
Performed receipt and issue of bulk fuel during operations.
After, on the resume
Managed inventory receipt, storage, and distribution operations for 1.2M+ gallons of bulk product with zero accountability discrepancies.
Before, in service
Supervised fuel farm operations during 7-month deployment.
After, on the resume
Supervised bulk petroleum storage facility operations including six 50,000-gallon collapsible tanks across 7-month operational tempo.
Before, in service
Established FARP for rotary-wing aircraft during operations.
After, on the resume
Established forward operations refueling site for rotary-wing aircraft, achieving 100% mission completion across 60+ refueling cycles.
Before, in service
Served as 1311 Bulk Fuel Specialist supporting Marine Logistics Group.
After, on the resume
Served as Petroleum Operations Technician supporting expeditionary fuel infrastructure for 2,000+ personnel logistics group.
Before, in service
Served as section chief leading four junior Marines in fuel pump operations.
After, on the resume
Led 4-person specialized crew operating bulk fuel transfer systems on continuous 24/7 operational tempo with zero safety incidents.
Before, in service
Conducted PCIs on fuel system equipment prior to operations.
After, on the resume
Performed pre-operations equipment verification and safety checks across 50+ pumps, filters, and storage tanks before each operational shift.
Before, in service
Operated M978 fuel truck transporting JP-8 across operational areas.
After, on the resume
Operated hazmat-endorsed 2,500-gallon bulk tanker transporting petroleum products under DOT-equivalent regulatory standards across 8,000+ miles with zero incidents.
BMR turns your 1391 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.
RecommendedCost $300-$600Time 40 hours (1-2 weeks)Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Required for many fuel spill response and environmental cleanup roles.
RecommendedCost $200-$500Time 8-16 hoursRequired for many federal facility fuels roles and refinery operator positions. Direct fit for 1311 spill response training.
Highly RecommendedCost FreeTime 4-8 hoursFederal resume formatting and qualifications statements. Essential for DLA Energy, GSA, and DoD installation fuels applications.
FoundationalCost $100-$300Time 4-8 hoursSome 1311s earn this in service. Required for many warehouse, terminal, and depot roles.
RecommendedCost $200-$400Time 40-80 hoursEntry-level logistics credential. Useful for transitioning to broader supply chain roles outside fuels.
RecommendedCost $1,500-$2,500Time 6-9 monthsGI Bill eligibleIndustry gold standard for senior supply chain roles. Strong long-term play for 1311s targeting management.
RecommendedCost $300-$1,500Time 4-6 monthsProcess improvement certification. Strong for senior 1311s targeting operations and manufacturing supervision tracks.
RecommendedCost $1,500-$3,000Time 6-12 months prep + experience requirementIndustry gold standard for petroleum tank inspectors. $90K-$120K with field experience. Requires petroleum experience to sit for exam.
RecommendedCost $1,500-$3,000Time 6-12 months prep + experience requirementPetroleum piping inspector certification for refineries and pipeline operators. Strong long-term play for 1311s.
RecommendedCost $2,000-$4,000Time 2-3 weeks course + experiencePetroleum tank coating inspection adjacent to API 653 work. $70K-$110K range with experience.
RecommendedCost $405-$555 exam + prepTime 3-6 monthsIndustry standard for project management. Applies to both fuel project management and broader operations roles.
Highly RecommendedCost $150-$250Time 30 hours (1 week)Cheap, fast credential that opens industrial supervision and EHS roles. Standard expectation for fuel-handling supervisors.
RecommendedCost $510 exam + studyTime 6-12 months prepIndustry-leading safety certification. Fuel-handling experience plus CSP opens facility EHS roles paying $80K-$120K.
Highly RecommendedCost $3,500-$6,000Time 7-10 weeksGI Bill eligibleGI Bill-eligible. Translates 1311 fuel truck experience into commercial credential. Hazmat-endorsed roles pay $60K-$95K.
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.
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
The strongest direct paths are airport into-plane fueling contractors (Allied Aviation, Swissport, Menzies Aviation), refinery and pipeline operators (Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Marathon, Phillips 66), federal DLA Energy positions, defense contractors (KBR, Amentum, V2X), and bulk fuel distribution. Common civilian titles include pump system operator, fuel truck driver, refinery operator, fuel quality inspector, and stationary engineer.
BLS median salaries vary by role: pump system operator around $60K (53-7072.00), industrial truck operator around $44K (53-7051.00), fuel truck driver around $54K base with hazmat-endorsed roles paying $60K-$90K, stationary engineer around $69K (51-8021.00), petroleum tank inspector subset of construction inspectors around $67K. Refinery and pipeline roles in Texas and Louisiana often clear $90K with overtime. API 653 inspectors with field experience clear $90K-$120K.
Yes, especially for federal DLA Energy roles, defense contractor fuel operations, and DoD facility fuels work. An active or recently active Secret clearance saves employers $5K-$15K and 6-9 months in clearance processing. Your clearance stays active for 24 months after separation, longer if you continue cleared work without a break.
DLA Energy positions across the GS-2010 Inventory Management, GS-2030 Distribution Facilities and Storage Management, and GS-1670 Equipment Services series are the closest direct matches. Senior 1391s with leadership and program experience also compete strongly for GS-0346 Logistics Management roles. WG-6907 Materials Handler positions at DLA distribution centers fit hands-on roles.
Refinery and pipeline work pays the most but concentrates on the Gulf Coast. Airport into-plane fueling and federal facility fuels exist almost everywhere DoD has installations or major airports. The honest tradeoff is geography versus pay. Many 1391s start at airport contractors or DLA Energy, then move to refineries or pipelines after they've saved up an emergency fund and decided whether the relocation is worth it.
For petroleum-track work: API 653 Tank Inspector (long-term play, requires field experience), CDL Class A with Hazmat and Tanker endorsements (GI Bill-eligible, 7-10 weeks), and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry. For broader supervision tracks: Six Sigma Green Belt or PMP. For federal-track work: focus on writing a strong USAJobs-format resume — the cert isn't what gets you in, the resume is.
Yes. Most CDL Class A programs are GI Bill-eligible at the truck-driving school level. With Hazmat and Tanker endorsements, the credential plus 1391 fuel truck experience is a strong combination for hazmat-endorsed driving roles paying $60K-$95K, especially for airport and bulk fuel distribution work.
Most honorably discharged veterans qualify for 5-point preference, and disabled veterans qualify for 10-point preference. For DLA Energy and DoD installation fuels positions, the preference is real but the federal-format resume is what gets you onto the cert in the first place. Bad resume, no preference applied. Use our federal resume builder to format properly.
The career pivots in this guide cover that — operations manager, logistics manager, environmental compliance specialist, EHS specialist, project management, and industrial supervision. The skills transfer (hazmat handling, inventory accountability, crew leadership, safety compliance); the resume just has to do the translation work. Read the Military to Civilian Salary guide for broader options.
Yes. BMR has built more than 55,000 resumes across every MOS, including hundreds of Marine Corps logistics and fuels specialists. The AI knows TBFDS, AAFS, HERS, FARP, fuel quality surveillance, and bulk fuel terminology, and translates all of it into civilian language tailored to the specific job you're applying for. Free for every veteran — 2 tailored resumes, 2 cover letters, LinkedIn optimization, all included. <a href='/'>Get started here</a>.
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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