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1145 Career Guide

Navy

1145: Special Operations Officer (EOD/Diving/Salvage)

Career transition guide for Navy Special Operations Officer (EOD/Diving/Salvage) (1145)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1145 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Explosives Technician

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial explosives handling certificationKnowledge of state and federal regulations

Commercial Diver

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certification from a commercial diving school (e.g., ADCI)Experience with specific underwater tools and techniques

Emergency Management Specialist

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700)Knowledge of local emergency response protocols

Project Manager

$95K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

PMP certificationExperience with project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana)

Security Consultant

$85K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM)Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1145 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an EOD officer, you constantly assess threats and manage resources under pressure, making split-second decisions to neutralize explosive hazards while safeguarding personnel and equipment. Priorities shift dynamically based on the evolving situation.

This translates to exceptional crisis management and decision-making skills in fast-paced civilian environments. You excel at triaging tasks, allocating resources effectively, and maintaining composure when the stakes are high.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a comprehensive understanding of your surroundings, including potential threats, environmental factors, and team dynamics, allowing you to anticipate problems and proactively mitigate risks in high-stakes environments.

This translates to exceptional risk assessment and problem-solving abilities in the civilian sector. You can quickly grasp complex situations, identify potential pitfalls, and develop strategies to ensure successful outcomes.

Team Synchronization

Leading diverse teams across varied missions demands a high degree of coordination and clear communication, ensuring every team member is aware of their role and responsibilities to achieve mission success.

This translates to exceptional leadership and team-building skills. You foster collaboration, clearly communicate expectations, and empower team members to perform at their best, creating a cohesive and high-performing unit.

Degraded-Mode Operations

EOD operations often occur in austere environments with limited resources or communication capabilities. You adapt to unexpected challenges, improvising solutions and maintaining operational effectiveness even when systems fail.

This translates to resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. You remain calm and resourceful when faced with unexpected setbacks, developing creative solutions to overcome obstacles and achieve goals despite limitations.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to manage crises, assess risks, and coordinate teams in high-pressure situations. Your EOD experience translates directly to developing and implementing emergency response plans, ensuring community safety during disasters.

Industrial Safety Engineer

SOC 17-2111.00

You've been rigorously trained to identify and mitigate hazards. Your expertise in explosive ordnance disposal translates perfectly to ensuring safety protocols are followed in industrial settings, protecting workers from potential dangers and preventing accidents.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1131.00

Your experience in degraded-mode operations and resource optimization makes you ideally suited for this role. You've demonstrated the ability to develop plans for organizations to continue operating after a disruptive event. Your ability to think critically and strategically under pressure will be invaluable in ensuring business resilience.

Training & Education Equivalencies

EOD/Diving/Salvage Officer Training Pipeline

2,500 training hours60 weeksUp to 24 semester hours recommended in leadership, management, and applied science

Topics Covered

  • Navy Diving Officer Qualification
  • Surface Warfare Fundamentals
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Procedures
  • Underwater Mine Countermeasures (UMCM)
  • Salvage Operations and Techniques
  • EOD Detachment Leadership and Management
  • Small Unit Tactics and Leadership
  • Operational Planning

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Diver Medical Technician70% covered

Advanced medical procedures, specific pharmacological knowledge, and local regulatory requirements.

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Formal project management methodologies, specific PMBOK Guide knowledge, and stakeholder management techniques.

Certified Explosives Specialist (if applicable state certification)80% covered

State and local regulations regarding explosives handling, storage, and transportation; may require additional practical experience depending on the state.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)OSHA 30-Hour Construction or General IndustryCertified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)Master Training Specialist (MTS - Navy)Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/AQS-20A Sonar Mine Detecting SetHigh-resolution underwater sonar imaging systems
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) - SeaFox, Mk 18 Mod 2 KingfishUnderwater inspection ROVs used in offshore oil & gas, search & rescue
Mine Countermeasure (MCM) software suites (e.g., Coastal Ocean Model)Hydrodynamic modeling and simulation software for coastal environments
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) suits (e.g., Advanced Bomb Suit)Bomb disposal suits used by civilian law enforcement and hazmat teams
Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) equipment for IED defeat (e.g., Warlock)Radio frequency jammers used for security and VIP protection
SCUBA and diving equipment (e.g., Mk 25 UBA)Commercial diving equipment and rebreather systems
Breaching tools (hydraulic, ballistic, thermal)Industrial hydraulic cutters, demolition saws, and exothermic cutting torches used in construction and emergency services

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