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1137 Career Guide

Navy

1137: Special Warfare Officer (SEAL)

Career transition guide for Navy Special Warfare Officer (SEAL) (1137)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1137 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Consultant

$130K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CISM)Risk assessment methodologiesBusiness communication skills

Federal Agent (FBI, CIA, DEA)

$95K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific agency trainingLaw enforcement certificationsAdvanced surveillance techniques

Emergency Management Director

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certificationsDisaster planning software proficiencyPublic administration knowledge

Corporate Security Manager

$110K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Corporate security protocolsLoss prevention strategiesProject management skills

Wilderness Survival Instructor

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced wilderness medicine certificationSurvival training certificationsInstructional design skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1137 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a Special Warfare Officer, you constantly make split-second decisions about which threats to address first, balancing mission objectives with immediate safety concerns in dynamic environments.

This ability to rapidly assess and prioritize competing demands translates directly to managing complex projects and handling crises in fast-paced civilian sectors.

Situational Awareness

Your role demands a constant assessment of the environment, from understanding the terrain and weather conditions to identifying potential threats and opportunities in complex operational settings.

This heightened awareness allows you to quickly grasp the nuances of any situation, anticipate problems, and make informed decisions, invaluable in fields requiring strategic planning and risk management.

Team Synchronization

Executing covert operations requires seamless coordination within small teams, where every member must anticipate each other's actions and react in perfect unison, often under immense pressure.

Your experience in leading and synchronizing high-performing teams in challenging environments is highly sought after in collaborative industries where effective teamwork is essential for success.

Adversarial Thinking

Constantly anticipating the enemy's actions and developing countermeasures is crucial for mission success and survival. You are trained to think like the adversary, identifying their weaknesses and exploiting them.

This ability to analyze situations from multiple perspectives and predict potential challenges is a valuable asset in strategic planning, negotiation, and risk mitigation roles.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to handle high-pressure situations, assess risks, and coordinate resources effectively. Your experience in planning and executing complex operations translates directly to managing disaster response and mitigation efforts.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

Your background in special reconnaissance and information gathering gives you a unique perspective on intelligence analysis. You've been trained to identify patterns, assess threats, and provide actionable insights, making you well-suited for this role.

Corporate Security Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've been responsible for securing personnel and assets in high-risk environments. Your skills in threat assessment, risk management, and crisis response are highly valuable in protecting corporate interests.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, CA

3,920 training hours56 weeksUp to 18 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Physical Conditioning and Water Competency
  • Underwater Demolition
  • Land Warfare and Tactics
  • Close Quarters Combat (CQC)
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Special Reconnaissance
  • Combat Diving
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE)

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)70% covered

Requires additional training in wilderness medicine protocols, extended patient care scenarios, and environmental considerations specific to wilderness settings.

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)40% covered

Requires additional study of business principles, security management, legal aspects of security, and enterprise security risk management.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)30% covered

Requires completing a formal EMT course covering anatomy, physiology, patient assessment, and medical/trauma interventions, plus practical experience requirements.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)OSHA 30-Hour Safety Certification

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC)Zodiac inflatable boats, rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs)
Diver Propulsion Device (DPD)Underwater scooters, submersible personal watercraft
Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG)High-end commercial night vision devices, thermal imaging cameras
Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR)AR-15 platform rifles, customized sporting rifles
Advanced Maritime Navigation System (AMNS)GPS navigation with integrated sonar and radar, maritime chartplotters
Blue Force Tracker (BFT)Real-time GPS fleet management systems, personnel tracking software
Secure Communications System (PRC-117G)Encrypted satellite communication devices, secure mobile communication apps

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