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1160 Career Guide

Navy

1160: Surface Warfare Officer (Trainee)

Career transition guide for Navy Surface Warfare Officer (Trainee) (1160)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1160 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Project Manager

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

PMP CertificationAgile methodologies

Operations Manager

$90K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Lean Six SigmaSupply chain management

Logistics Manager

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

APICS CertificationSupply chain optimization software

Plant Supervisor

$78K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA Safety StandardsManufacturing Process Knowledge

Management Consultant

$100K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

MBA or related Master's degreeBusiness analysisClient relationship management

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1160 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a Surface Warfare Officer, you constantly juggle competing demands, from equipment maintenance to personnel issues to mission objectives, demanding on-the-spot decisions about what needs attention first.

This translates to an ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources effectively under pressure, a skill highly valued in dynamic civilian environments.

System Modeling

You're responsible for understanding how various shipboard systems interact and impact each other, enabling you to anticipate potential problems and optimize performance.

This demonstrates the ability to understand and manage complex systems, predict outcomes based on various inputs, and troubleshoot issues, which is crucial in many technical and analytical roles.

Team Synchronization

Leading a team of sailors, you ensure everyone is working together seamlessly towards common goals, coordinating actions, and fostering a cohesive unit.

This shows your ability to build and lead high-performing teams, delegate effectively, and maintain clear communication to achieve shared objectives, making you a valuable asset in any organization.

Situational Awareness

You must constantly monitor your surroundings, anticipate potential threats, and maintain a clear understanding of the overall operational environment to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your team and the ship.

This showcases your ability to quickly assess dynamic environments, identify potential risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions under pressure, skills highly sought after in fast-paced industries.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been managing complex systems and prioritizing resources on a ship – this analytical and problem-solving capability directly translates to optimizing supply chains and logistics operations for companies.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9151.00

You've been leading teams and coordinating complex operations; that experience perfectly prepares you to manage projects, ensuring they stay on track, within budget, and meet objectives. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and solve problems quickly is invaluable.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

You've been analyzing systems and optimizing performance; your ability to quickly understand complex organizational structures and identify areas for improvement makes you a strong candidate for helping businesses improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-9091.00

You've been trained to maintain situational awareness and respond effectively in high-pressure situations; your experience with risk assessment, planning, and coordination makes you well-suited to prepare for and respond to emergencies, protecting communities and organizations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) Basic Division Officer Course, Newport, RI; At-Sea Shipboard Training

2,400 training hours60 weeksUp to 15 semester hours in Naval Science and Leadership

Topics Covered

  • Shipboard Engineering Systems
  • Naval Weapons Systems
  • Damage Control and Firefighting
  • Navigation and Piloting
  • Ship Handling and Seamanship
  • Leadership and Team Management
  • Naval Operations and Tactics
  • Maritime Law and Security

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Formal project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall), business analysis, cost management, stakeholder management, and risk management. This role provides leadership experience, but lacks formal project management training.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry60% covered

Specific OSHA regulations not covered in shipboard safety training, such as those relating to specific industries beyond general safety.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)Lean Six Sigma Green BeltCertified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Aegis Combat SystemIntegrated defense systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for defense
Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS)Real-time data processing and display systems, SCADA systems
Shipboard Air Traffic Radar (SATR)Commercial air traffic control radar systems
Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M)Maritime domain awareness software, vessel tracking systems
AN/SPS-48 RadarLong-range air surveillance radar systems
Mk 46 Lightweight TorpedoAdvanced underwater acoustic sensing and targeting systems
Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)Close-range missile defense systems

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