Employment

Marine Corps Base Quantico enjoys much better than average employment opportunities with an unemployment rate around 3.5% unemployment rate compared to 4.5% and higher nationally. Federal, state, and county government employment opportunities are plentiful and diverse from entry level to mid-level and upper management.  Further opportunities are provided with an abundance of DoD support contracting firms, healthcare, finance and accounting, food and hospitality, on-going commercial & industrial construction, and a full spectrum of industry in Information Technology (IT).

Almost all skills and various experience levels are actively sought by employers as no specific industry is experiencing a saturation of qualified employees and continued growth is anticipated for all industries and skills.  Salaries can range from $8.25 per hour for an entry level position in the retail sales industry up to $25 per hour for an entry level degreed position in the IT Field. Salaries at the mid and upper level management as well as experienced skilled positions can command salaries that support an average family income that exceeds $95K per annum in the surrounding communities, required due to a higher than average cost of living. A list of specific occupations and their growth or decline is found on the VEC's website under LMI. Job seekers should click on Profiles, then Area Profile, followed by Detailed Area Profile. Information will be available by the Region, County/City or Metropolitan Area.

The Career Resource Management Center, 703-784-4963, with its Family Member Employment Assistance Program, 703-784-3306, are located at the Religious & Family Services Center, 3019 Embry Loop, Quantico, VA 22134. The NAFI Human Resources Office (703-784-3454), and the Human Resources Organizational Management Office (703-784-2049/2365) should be early stops for those seeking employment. Further advanced research can be obtained by visiting the https://virginiacareerworks.com/ or call 540-891-4139 (Fredericksburg) or 703-897-0407 (Woodbridge). Virginia Career Works can also provide substantial information on Unemployment Insurance (UI), as well as a host of related topics. If you are totally or partially unemployed and wish to apply for benefits, call the call center, complete an application on the Internet, or visit your nearest office. The call center telephone number is 1-866-832-2363. The addresses and telephone numbers for office locations can be found at the link above. You will be asked to supply the name, address and telephone number of your last employer (and, in some cases, previous employers), your dates of employment, and the reason you are unemployed.

Employment prospects in the area surrounding Quantico are excellent. The employment area extends from the metropolitan DC area south to the Fredericksburg, VA area and westward to Manassas, VA. Compensation is best in DC with reductions in wages realized moving west or south, i.e., the further west or south you work, the less you're going to be paid. However, many people who have earned significantly higher wages working in DC have opted to transition to employment opportunities in Manassas or Fredericksburg to escape the commute into and out of DC daily.

Good Prospects

Many opportunities exist for experienced clerical workers, computer operators, and defense industry consultants. Unskilled workers in the fast food industry and entry level retail clerks will easily find employment. White collar workers with technical skills such as electronics, accounting, and engineering are in demand, as are skilled blue collar workers in the construction industry (seasonal). Medical and dental professionals in and near the Greater Metro-DC area are also in demand.

Fair Prospects

Civil Service positions, although limited, are available to skilled and licensed applicants. Teachers in all disciplines and at every level are also in demand.

Another alternative that has been pursued is the "Homebased Business." There is no limit to the number of ideas for a homebased business. Some of the local homebased businesses that have realized success include cleaning, lawn care, shopping, pet care, transportation, party planning services, contract or consultant work in accounting, computer programming, graphic design, typing/editing, and direct sales opportunities such as Tupperware, Amway, Avon, Mary Kay, or New Vision International.  Contact the Family Member Employment Assistance Program office at 703.784.3306 for more information. 

For job hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry all employment records and documents, resumes, SF 50, transcripts, certificates and licenses.  Proof of eligibility to work in the United States is also required.  These documents include but are not limited to a birth certificate issued by a U. S. state, jurisdiction or territory or the U.S. State Department, U. S. Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, U.S. passport, Social Security card and/or Alien Registration Receipt Card.

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is a DoD initiative that connects military spouses with hundreds of military-friendly employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote, and retain military spouses. The partnership assists spouses with finding and maintaining employment to achieve their career goals despite the challenges of frequent relocation. More than 100,000 spouses have been hired through the program.  For more information on the MSEP contct the Family Member Employment Assistance Program office at 703.784.3306, located at Religious and Family Services Center, 3019 Embry Loop, Quantico VA 22134.  

All active-duty Navy and Marines and enlisted recalled reservists are eligible for Tuition Assistance funding. Navy and Marines receive up to $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour and up to $4,500 per fiscal year for accredited programs. Navy personnel are limited to 16 semester hours per fiscal year. For assistance with Navy Tuition Assistance, please contact Navy College Virtual Education Center at 877-838-1659.

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with financial assistance for licenses, certifications or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field. Get additional information on MyCAA and take advantage of the benefits it offers.

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information please contact the Virginia Employment Commission.

Marine Corps Base Quantico enjoys much better than average employment opportunities. Federal, state and county government employment opportunities are plentiful and diverse from entry level to mid-level and upper management.

The Career Resource Management Center is located at 3019 Embry Loop. Call 703-784-2511. It has a family member Employment Assistance Program at number 703-784-3306, and the non-appropriated fund human resources office located in Little Hall phone number 703-784-3454, and the human resources organizational management office at 703-784-2049/2365 also at Quantico, should be early stops for those seeking employment.

Transition readiness seminar:

The Career Resource Management Center/Transition Readiness Seminar is dedicated to keeping abreast of the latest trends and technology in job-search strategies in order to provide information and assistance to Navy and Marines Corps personnel separating or retiring from the corps to include their family members as they face the next stage of their lives, whether seeking a new career or attending an institution of higher learning. The Transition Readiness Seminar aboard MCB Quantico offers the following quality programs and services:

• Executive TRS (O5 and O6, E8, E9 and CWO)
• Self-assessment tools
• Computer lab
• Individual career counseling
• Resume review
• Professional resource library
• Federal resume writing workshops
• Disabled Transition Assistance Program workshop
• Professional development workshops

For additional workshops and services, visit the Personal and Professional Development website.