Marine Corps 0210 Counterintelligence/HUMINT Officer to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (2025)

Bottom Line Up Front

As a 0210 Counterintelligence/HUMINT Officer, you possess elite-level skills that the Intelligence Community and federal law enforcement are actively hunting for: counterintelligence operations, human source operations, investigations, elicitation, surveillance detection, and Top Secret/SCI clearances. Your specialized CI/HUMINT experience translates to $90,000-$160,000+ positions with the FBI (counterintelligence division), CIA (operations officers), DIA (HUMINT operations), defense contractors, and private investigations firms. With an active TS/SCI and poly, you can command $130,000-$200,000+ in specialized contractor roles. The bad guys haven't stopped—and the agencies fighting them need experienced CI/HUMINT professionals. You're exactly who they're looking for.

Let's address the elephant in the room

Every 0210 transitioning out faces the same challenge: "How do I talk about what I did without violating classification?" and "Do civilians even understand CI and HUMINT work?"

Here's the truth: The Intelligence Community absolutely understands, and they're hiring aggressively.

You didn't just "do interviews and write reports." You:

• Conducted counterintelligence investigations and operations
• Recruited, vetted, and handled human intelligence sources
• Conducted source operations and debriefings
• Performed threat assessments and force protection analysis
• Executed surveillance and counter-surveillance operations
• Coordinated with FBI, NCIS, OSI, and coalition partners
• Led CI teams of 3-10 Marines
• Held and maintained TS/SCI with polygraph
• Produced actionable intelligence from human sources

That's counterintelligence tradecraft, human intelligence collection, investigation skills, source handling, operational security, and multi-agency coordination. FBI Counterintelligence Division, CIA Directorate of Operations, DIA Defense CLANDESTINE Service, and defense contractors supporting CI/HUMINT missions pay premium salaries for exactly these skills.

The challenge isn't proving your value to people who understand CI/HUMINT—it's knowing where to apply and how to navigate the hiring process.

Best civilian career paths for 0210 CI/HUMINT Officers

Let's get specific with real salaries and job titles.

FBI - Counterintelligence and Special Agent

Civilian job titles:

• FBI Special Agent (Counterintelligence Squad)
• FBI Intelligence Analyst (CI focus)
• FBI Supervisory Special Agent
• FBI Counterintelligence Program Manager

Salary ranges (2025 data):

• FBI Special Agent entry (GS-10): $75,000-$95,000 (with locality pay)
• FBI Special Agent (GS-13, 3-5 years): $105,000-$137,000
• Supervisory Special Agent (GS-14/15): $125,000-$170,000
• FBI Intelligence Analyst (GS-11/12 entry): $75,000-$100,000
• Senior FBI CI Analyst (GS-13/14): $105,000-$150,000

What translates directly:

• Counterintelligence investigation experience
• Human source operations and handling
• Surveillance and counter-surveillance
• Elicitation and interviewing techniques
• Multi-agency coordination
• TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
• Understanding of foreign intelligence threats

Path requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• Age 23-37 for Special Agent position
• FBI background investigation (18-24 months)
• Polygraph examination
• Physical fitness test (you'll pass easily)
• Firearms qualification
• U.S. citizenship

Reality check: FBI Special Agent is the gold standard for former CI/HUMINT officers. You'll work counterintelligence, counterterrorism, espionage cases—the exact mission set you know.

The hiring process is brutal: 18-24 months from application to academy. Polygraph, full-scope background investigation, medical screening, fitness test, panel interviews. Many applicants get cut at various stages.

Your 0210 experience gives you massive credibility. FBI CI squads value military CI officers because you understand operational security, know how to handle sources, and have worked real-world threats.

Once you're in, career progression is solid: Special Agent (3-5 years) → Senior Special Agent (5-10 years) → Supervisory Special Agent (10-15 years) → Assistant Special Agent in Charge (15+ years).

FBI retirement after 20 years at age 50 is possible. Full federal benefits, mission-driven work, and prestige.

Best for: 0210s who want to continue CI mission in federal law enforcement with badge, gun, arrest authority, and excellent benefits.

CIA - Directorate of Operations (Clandestine Service)

Civilian job titles:

• Operations Officer (Core Collector)
• Paramilitary Operations Officer
• Staff Operations Officer
• Targeting Officer
• Collection Management Officer

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level Operations Officer (GS-10/11): $75,000-$95,000
• Mid-career Operations Officer (GS-12/13): $95,000-$130,000
• Senior Operations Officer (GS-14/15): $125,000-$170,000
• Supervisory positions (GS-15/SES): $150,000-$200,000+

What translates directly:

• Human intelligence collection
• Source recruitment and handling
• Operational planning and execution
• Foreign threat understanding
• Elicitation and assessment
• Compartmented information handling
• Clandestine tradecraft fundamentals

Path requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (required; master's preferred)
• Polygraph (extensive—lifestyle and counterintelligence)
• Medical and psychological evaluation
• Extensive background investigation (12-24 months)
• Foreign language skills (highly valued)
• Willingness to serve overseas (likely multiple tours)

Reality check: CIA Operations Officer is one of the most prestigious intelligence positions in the U.S. government. You'll recruit and handle foreign intelligence sources, conduct clandestine operations, and work espionage cases globally.

The hiring process is longer and more rigorous than FBI: 12-24 months minimum. The polygraph is extensive (personal life, drug use, foreign contacts—everything). Many qualified candidates don't make it through.

Your 0210 background in HUMINT operations is exactly what CIA Operations Officer recruiters want to see. You understand source operations, operational security, and human intelligence tradecraft.

Expect to serve overseas tours (2-4 years each) in hardship locations early in your career. Family considerations are real—spouses need to be supportive of the lifestyle.

Work-life balance is challenging. You're often working irregular hours, maintaining cover, and operating in denied areas.

But the mission? Unmatched. You're conducting espionage operations against U.S. adversaries at the highest level.

Best for: 0210s who want to continue HUMINT operations at the strategic level, are willing to serve overseas extensively, and can handle the grueling hiring process and operational lifestyle.

DIA - Defense CLANDESTINE Service and HUMINT Operations

Civilian job titles:

• Defense CLANDESTINE Service Officer
• HUMINT Operations Officer
• HUMINT Collection Management Officer
• HUMINT Targeting Officer
• Defense Intelligence Officer

Salary ranges (GS scale + locality):

• Entry DCS Officer (GS-11/12): $80,000-$105,000
• Mid-career (GS-13): $105,000-$137,000
• Senior Officer (GS-14/15): $125,000-$170,000
• Supervisory/Senior Intelligence Service: $150,000-$200,000+

What translates directly:

• Military HUMINT operations experience
• Source operations and debriefings
• Operational planning
• Defense intelligence focus
• Understanding military threats and capabilities
• Clearance and compartmented access

Path requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• Polygraph (counterintelligence scope)
• Background investigation
• Willingness to deploy to combat zones (OCONUS assignments)
• Foreign language (advantage, not always required)

Reality check: DIA Defense CLANDESTINE Service (DCS) is the Department of Defense's human intelligence collection arm. You'll conduct HUMINT operations focused on defense and military intelligence priorities.

DCS officers deploy to combat zones, high-threat environments, and embassies worldwide. The mission is defense-focused: foreign military capabilities, terrorist threats, WMD proliferation.

The work is operationally similar to what you did as a 0210, just as a civilian GS employee. You're recruiting sources, conducting debriefings, and producing intelligence for defense decision-makers.

Hiring timeline is typically 12-18 months. The process is faster than CIA but still involves full background investigation and polygraph.

Your Marine CI/HUMINT background is perfectly aligned with DCS mission requirements. Many former 0210s transition to DIA successfully.

Best for: 0210s who want to continue defense-focused HUMINT operations, are willing to deploy to hardship locations, and prefer DoD culture over CIA or FBI environments.

Defense contractors - CI/HUMINT support

Civilian job titles:

• Counterintelligence analyst
• HUMINT operations specialist
• CI/HUMINT trainer/instructor
• Force protection analyst
• CI program manager
• All-source CI analyst
• Human terrain analyst

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level CI analyst (with clearance): $85,000-$110,000
• Mid-level CI/HUMINT specialist: $110,000-$140,000
• Senior CI analyst/SME: $140,000-$175,000
• CI program manager: $150,000-$190,000
• Overseas CI contractor (high-threat): $180,000-$250,000+

Top employers:

• Booz Allen Hamilton (intelligence and CI support)
• CACI International (CI/HUMINT operations support)
• Leidos (defense intelligence services)
• PAE (Pacific Architects and Engineers) (CI support to SOF)
• Amentum (intelligence operations)
• CACI-WGI (Wexford Group) (HUMINT and CI)
• Peraton (defense CI programs)

What translates directly:

• CI/HUMINT operational experience
• Force protection analysis
• Source operations knowledge
• CI investigations and case management
• TS/SCI clearance (critical)
• Understanding DoD CI programs

Certifications needed:

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph (absolutely critical—worth $30K-50K premium)
• Bachelor's degree (required by most primes)
• CI/HUMINT training certifications (military CI course, HUMINT course)

Reality check: Defense contractors support military CI/HUMINT operations worldwide. You'll work alongside (or supervise) active-duty CI/HUMINT teams, conduct training, provide analytical support, or manage CI programs.

Clearance is everything. With an active TS/SCI and poly, you're immediately competitive for $110K-150K positions. Let your clearance lapse and you're competing with hundreds of cleared candidates for fewer positions.

Contractor work can be cyclical—contracts get won and lost. Job security comes from being good enough that companies keep you when contracts transition.

Many positions require OCONUS deployments (6-12 months), especially higher-paying roles supporting SOCOM or deployed units.

Work-life balance varies wildly by contract. Supporting stateside training missions? Pretty good. Deployed to Afghanistan supporting special operations? 12-hour days, 6 days a week.

Best for: 0210s who want to leverage their exact CI/HUMINT skillset for maximum immediate pay with minimal retraining, and are willing to deploy or relocate.

Federal law enforcement - Criminal investigations

Civilian job titles:

• ATF Special Agent
• DEA Special Agent
• U.S. Secret Service Special Agent
• DSS (Diplomatic Security) Special Agent
• HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) Special Agent
• U.S. Marshals Deputy

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level Special Agent (GS-7 to GS-9): $52,000-$72,000
• Special Agent (GS-11/12): $75,000-$105,000
• Senior Special Agent (GS-13): $105,000-$137,000
• Supervisory Special Agent (GS-14/15): $125,000-$170,000

What translates directly:

• Investigative skills
• Interviewing and elicitation
• Source handling (becomes confidential informant handling)
• Surveillance operations
• Report writing and case documentation
• Multi-agency coordination

Path requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• Age limits (typically 21-37 for entry)
• Background investigation and polygraph (varies by agency)
• Physical fitness and firearms qualification
• Federal law enforcement training (agency-specific academy)

Reality check: Your CI/HUMINT skills translate directly to criminal investigations. Interviewing suspects, developing informants, conducting surveillance, building cases—it's the same tradecraft applied to criminal enterprises instead of foreign intelligence threats.

ATF focuses on firearms, explosives, and arson. DEA works drug trafficking organizations. Secret Service does protective operations and financial crimes. HSI handles human trafficking, narcotics, and transnational crime.

Your military investigative experience and clearance give you advantages in the hiring process. Many agencies give veteran preference points.

Salary starts lower than contractors but grows steadily with federal pay scale progression. Retirement after 20 years (at age 50 minimum) with federal pension.

Best for: 0210s who want to use investigative and source handling skills in domestic criminal investigations with federal badge and arrest authority.

Private sector - Corporate investigations and security

Civilian job titles:

• Corporate investigator
• Due diligence analyst
• Background investigator
• Corporate counterintelligence specialist
• Global security analyst
• Insider threat program manager

Salary ranges:

• Entry-level investigator: $65,000-$85,000
• Mid-level investigator/analyst: $85,000-$115,000
• Senior investigator/manager: $115,000-$150,000
• Director of investigations/security: $150,000-$200,000+

Top employers:

• Kroll (investigations and risk)
• Control Risks (risk consulting)
• Pinkerton (corporate security)
• Steele Foundation (corporate security consulting)
• K2 Intelligence (investigations)
• Corporate security departments (Fortune 500 companies)

What translates directly:

• Investigative methodology
• Interviewing and elicitation
• Report writing
• Background investigations
• Threat assessment
• Operational security

Certifications needed:

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• PCI (Professional Certified Investigator) - optional but respected
• CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) - valuable for fraud investigations
• CPP (Certified Protection Professional) - for corporate security management

Reality check: Corporate investigations involve employee misconduct, fraud, intellectual property theft, due diligence on business partners, and insider threat programs.

Your CI/HUMINT background gives you investigative skills, interviewing expertise, and analytical capabilities that corporate clients value.

Work is less operationally intense than CI/HUMINT operations but intellectually engaging. You're solving business problems using investigative tradecraft.

No clearance required (though it's still an asset). Better work-life balance than government or contractor CI work. You're not deploying or working rotating shifts.

Best for: 0210s who want to use investigative skills in the private sector without clearance requirements, deployments, or government bureaucracy.

Skills translation table (for your resume)

Stop writing "0210 Counterintelligence Officer" on civilian resumes. Translate it:

Military Skill	Civilian Translation
CI/HUMINT officer	Counterintelligence specialist; human intelligence operations officer
Conducted CI investigations	Executed counterintelligence investigations; identified and neutralized threats
Recruited and handled human sources	Developed and managed confidential human sources for intelligence collection
Conducted source debriefings	Conducted structured interviews and elicitation to gather actionable intelligence
Led CI team of 8 Marines	Managed counterintelligence team; supervised operational planning and execution
Coordinated with FBI, NCIS	Collaborated with federal law enforcement and IC partners on joint operations
Surveillance and counter-surveillance	Conducted surveillance operations; implemented surveillance detection measures
TS/SCI with CI polygraph	Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with counterintelligence-scope polygraph
Threat assessments and force protection	Conducted threat analysis and risk assessments for force protection operations
CI screening and vetting	Performed security screening and vetting of personnel with access to classified programs

Resume tips for 0210s:

• Lead with clearance: "TS/SCI cleared Counterintelligence Officer with CI polygraph and 5+ years operational experience"
• Quantify operations: "Conducted 50+ CI investigations" or "Recruited and handled 15+ human intelligence sources"
• Emphasize multi-agency work: "Coordinated with FBI, NCIS, and coalition partners on 30+ joint operations"
• Highlight leadership: "Led 8-person CI team conducting force protection operations for 2,500-person task force"
• Translate acronyms: Write out "counterintelligence" and "human intelligence" at least once

Certifications that actually matter for 0210s

Here's what's worth pursuing:

Critical priority:

Maintain your TS/SCI clearance and polygraph - This is your most valuable asset. If it's active, you're worth $100K+ immediately. If it lapses, reactivation takes 12-24 months and you lose opportunities. Value: $30K-50K salary premium.

Bachelor's degree (if you don't have one) - Required for FBI, CIA, DIA, and most contractors. Major matters less than having it. Criminal justice, intelligence studies, international relations, or political science work well. Cost: $0 with GI Bill.

Language certifications (DLPT scores) - If you have foreign language proficiency, document it. Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Farsi, Korean are high-demand. Value: $5K-20K language proficiency pay in government; competitive advantage with CIA/DIA.

Medium priority:

Master's degree - Not required initially, but valuable for career progression to GS-13+ and leadership roles. Intelligence studies, international relations, security studies, or business administration. Cost: $0 with GI Bill. Time: 18-24 months part-time.

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - If you're targeting corporate investigations or non-IC roles. Demonstrates investigative professionalism. Cost: $400 exam. Value: Moderate; respected in corporate investigation field.

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - For corporate investigation roles involving fraud. Cost: $450 exam + membership. Value: Opens fraud investigation positions.

Project Management Professional (PMP) - For CI program management roles with contractors. Cost: $500-1,000 exam; $1,500-3,000 training. Value: Opens $130K-175K program manager positions.

Low priority:

CISSP (cybersecurity) - Only if you're pivoting to cyber CI/insider threat roles. Cost: $700 exam. Value: Moderate for cyber-focused positions.

Private investigator license - State-specific, required if you're doing PI work in some states. Cost: $200-800 depending on state. Value: Only necessary if doing state-licensed PI work.

The skills gap (what you need to learn)

Let's be honest about civilian CI/HUMINT work versus military:

Legal constraints: Civilian CI and investigations operate under different legal authorities than military operations. You'll need to understand U.S. criminal law, FISA, Executive Order 12333, and agency-specific authorities. You'll learn on the job, but recognize the legal framework is different.

Business communication: Your operational reports are probably excellent, but corporate/federal communication expects polished PowerPoint presentations and executive summaries. Polish your business writing.

Technology tools: FBI, CIA, and contractors use different databases and analytical tools than military systems. You'll learn on the job, but basic IT literacy (Microsoft Office, data analysis tools) is expected.

Networking: Military CI officers get assignments. Civilian jobs require networking, LinkedIn presence, and advocating for yourself. Get comfortable with self-promotion.

Pace and bureaucracy: Federal hiring is slow (12-24 months). Agency bureaucracy can be frustrating. Contractor work has billable hours and corporate overhead. Adjust expectations.

Real 0210 success stories

Alex, 32, former 0210 → FBI Special Agent (Counterintelligence Squad)

After 8 years as a 0210 including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Alex applied to FBI. 22-month hiring process (background investigation, polygraph, multiple interviews). Started FBI Academy at 30, graduated as Special Agent assigned to counterintelligence squad in major field office. "My CI experience was exactly what the squad wanted. I'm working espionage cases now—same mission, federal badge."

Rachel, 29, former 0210 → DIA Defense CLANDESTINE Service Officer

Rachel did 6 years, got out as a Captain. Applied to DIA DCS, hired as GS-12 after 14-month process. Now deployed supporting CENTCOM operations conducting HUMINT collection. Makes $108,000. "It's the same work I did in uniform, just as a civilian. And I'll promote to GS-13 next year."

Jason, 34, former 0210 → CACI CI program manager

Jason transitioned after 9 years with active TS/SCI. Started as a CI analyst with contractor at $95,000. Three years later, managing CI programs supporting SOCOM at $165,000. "The clearance was my ticket. Contractors called me the day I posted my resume. I've deployed twice as a contractor—same operations, way better pay."

Maria, 31, former 0210 → Corporate investigator at Fortune 500

Maria wanted out of government work entirely. Transitioned to corporate investigations at major tech company. Started at $85,000, now senior investigator at $125,000. "I investigate employee misconduct and insider threats using the same CI tradecraft. No clearance, no deployments, great work-life balance."

Action plan: Your first 90 days out

Month 1: Foundation and clearance preservation

• Week 1-2:

  • Verify clearance status (contact S-2; check DISS/NBIS)
  • Get 10 certified copies of DD-214
  • Apply for VA benefits
  • Create professional email and LinkedIn
  • Update resume with civilian terminology

• Week 3-4:

  • Register on ClearanceJobs.com (primary for cleared positions)
  • Create USAJOBS account for federal applications
  • Research FBI, CIA, DIA, ATF, DEA hiring processes
  • Join veteran intelligence professional groups (LinkedIn, AFIO, NCMS)
  • Identify 5 target employers/agencies

Month 2: Applications and networking

• Week 5-6:

  • Apply to FBI (start immediately—22-month process)
  • Apply to CIA/DIA if interested (12-24 month process)
  • Apply to 15-20 contractor positions on ClearanceJobs
  • Connect with 20+ CI/HUMINT professionals on LinkedIn
  • Contact defense contractor recruiters directly (CACI, Booz Allen, Leidos)

• Week 7-8:

  • Continue applications (10+ per week)
  • Attend veteran hiring events (virtual and in-person)
  • Practice explaining CI/HUMINT work in unclassified terms
  • Prepare interview stories using STAR method
  • Research company contracts and mission areas

Month 3: Interviews and preparation

• Week 9-10:

  • Interview with contractors (faster process than federal)
  • Prepare for polygraph interviews (review SF-86 and personal history)
  • Get professional suit for interviews
  • Practice behavioral interview questions
  • Follow up with recruiters and hiring managers

• Week 11-12:

  • Evaluate offers (consider clearance requirements, mission, location, pay)
  • Consider taking contractor role while waiting for federal hiring process
  • Negotiate salary (clearance is major leverage)
  • Begin formal transition once offer accepted
  • Maintain clearance throughout process

Bottom line for 0210 CI/HUMINT Officers

Your 0210 counterintelligence and HUMINT experience is in high demand across the Intelligence Community, federal law enforcement, and defense contractors. You're not starting over—you're transitioning to organizations that desperately need your exact skillset.

FBI counterintelligence squads want you. CIA operations wants you. DIA Defense CLANDESTINE Service wants you. Defense contractors supporting CI/HUMINT missions will pay $110K-175K for your skills and clearance.

Your TS/SCI with polygraph is worth $30K-50K in immediate salary value—maintain it at all costs.

First-year civilian income of $85K-115K is realistic for 0210s with active clearances. Within 5 years, $120K-160K+ is achievable through strategic moves and promotions.

The mission hasn't stopped. The threats are real. The agencies fighting those threats need experienced CI/HUMINT professionals like you.

Execute your transition plan with the same operational discipline you brought to CI missions. Research target agencies, apply strategically, network aggressively, and stay patient through long hiring processes.

Semper Fi, and good hunting.

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Ready to transition your CI/HUMINT career? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to research cleared positions, track federal applications, and map your transition timeline.