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NAVY · 1115Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1115.R.04

1115 · NAVY · Officer

Surface Warfare
Officer.

Navy 1115 (Surface Warfare Officer). 720 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $80K–$110K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours720DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in Naval Science

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/5direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 1115 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Sort · Match descending

/ 02 · Skill Bridge

The gap, named.

What 1115 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05

01
Rapid Prioritization and Situational Awareness→ Proactive problem-solving and incident management in production systems
02
Leadership and Team Management (Department Head, CO/XO)→ Cross-functional team leadership and project coordination
03
Resource Optimization and Budget Management→ Efficient infrastructure cost management and strategic project planning
04
Complex System Operations (Aegis Combat System, GCCS-M)→ Understanding system architecture, operational readiness, and troubleshooting complex integrated environments
05
Damage Control and Firefighting→ Structured incident response and system recovery protocols

To learn08

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+Software systems literacy (understanding API architecture, cloud services)+Agile/Scrum methodologies and project management tools (e.g., Jira)+C/C++ programming for embedded systems+RTOS basics and hardware-software interface programming+Kubernetes and Docker containerization+Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) and CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions)+TCP/IP fundamentals and routing protocols (BGP, OSPF)+Cloud networking concepts (AWS VPCs, Azure VNets)

How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.

See VWC Programs →

/ 03 · Civilian Pathways

Where your code lands.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5

P.01

Project Manager

$110K

High match

High demand

Skills to develop

— PMP Certification
— Agile Methodologies

P.02

Logistics Manager

$95K

Good match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Supply Chain Management Certification
— APICS Certification

P.03

Operations Manager

$105K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— Lean Six Sigma Certification
— Data analysis tools

P.04

Facilities Manager

$85K

Moderate match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
— HVAC systems knowledge

P.05

Emergency Management Director

$80K

Moderate match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Emergency Management Certification
— HAZMAT Training

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 1115 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

Surface Warfare Officers constantly monitor their surroundings – sea, air, and land – to identify potential threats, assess the status of their ship and crew, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.

Transfers to

This ability to maintain a comprehensive awareness of your environment and anticipate potential issues translates into keen observation and proactive problem-solving skills valued in many civilian fields.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

SWOs face numerous competing demands, from navigation and ship maintenance to personnel management and combat readiness. They must quickly assess the urgency and importance of each task to allocate resources effectively and maintain operational efficiency.

Transfers to

Your experience in triaging competing priorities under pressure makes you exceptionally capable of managing complex projects, handling crises, and making critical decisions in fast-paced civilian settings.

S.03

Team Synchronization

Surface Warfare relies on the seamless coordination of diverse teams, including bridge watchstanders, engineering personnel, combat systems operators, and support staff. SWOs are responsible for fostering clear communication, mutual understanding, and a shared sense of purpose among these teams.

Transfers to

You've honed your ability to unite diverse teams toward a common goal. This skill in team synchronization is highly transferable to civilian management roles where you can lead, motivate, and coordinate people to achieve outstanding results.

S.04

Resource Optimization

Surface Warfare Officers are entrusted with significant resources, including ships, equipment, and personnel. They are responsible for efficiently allocating these resources to meet operational requirements, minimize waste, and maximize mission effectiveness.

Transfers to

Your proven ability to manage and optimize resources makes you an ideal candidate for civilian roles involving budget management, project oversight, and strategic planning. You're skilled at identifying inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and achieving cost savings.

/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches

Roles the recruiter won't suggest.

Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to handle crises, develop contingency plans, and coordinate responses in high-pressure situations. Your skills in situational awareness, rapid prioritization, and resource optimization are perfectly suited for leading emergency management efforts.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been responsible for managing complex supply chains, coordinating transportation, and ensuring the efficient flow of resources. Your experience in resource optimization, team synchronization, and procedural compliance translates into success in overseeing logistics operations.

Adjacent · Match

Business Operations Manager

SOC 13-1199.00

You've managed budgets, coordinated personnel, and ensured compliance with regulations. Your experience as a Surface Warfare Officer, particularly around billeting facilities, gives you a strong base in facilities management and managing commercial contracts. The leadership and organizational skills you developed in the Navy are directly applicable to streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and driving business growth.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy