New Cohort Starts:

Donate

1197 Career Guide

Navy

1197: Special Operations Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Special Operations Officer (1197)

Translate Your 1197 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1197 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Security Consultant

$130K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CISM)Risk assessment methodologies

Emergency Management Director

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certifications (e.g., FEMA certifications)Grant writingPublic administration knowledge

Project Manager (Construction/Engineering)

$110K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationConstruction or engineering-specific knowledge

Corporate Security Manager

$120K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Business administration knowledgeCorporate security protocolsOSHA certifications

Wilderness/Survival Skills Instructor

$65K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Relevant certifications (e.g., Wilderness First Responder)Marketing and business development skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1197 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

In Special Operations training and missions, you'll constantly face situations demanding immediate, critical decisions. You must quickly assess threats, objectives, and available resources to prioritize actions under intense pressure and time constraints.

This ability to rapidly assess and prioritize is highly valuable in dynamic civilian environments. It translates to effective decision-making, crisis management, and resource allocation under pressure, crucial for leadership roles and fast-paced industries.

Team Synchronization

SEAL training and operations require seamless coordination within small teams. You'll learn to anticipate team member actions, communicate effectively in challenging conditions, and maintain cohesion to achieve mission objectives collectively.

Your expertise in team synchronization translates directly to collaborative work environments. You understand the importance of clear communication, shared goals, and mutual support to optimize team performance and achieve organizational objectives.

Situational Awareness

As a Special Operations trainee, you are trained to maintain a heightened awareness of your surroundings, anticipate potential threats, and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. This skill is critical for mission success and personal safety.

Your developed situational awareness translates to excellent risk management and proactive problem-solving in civilian settings. You can anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions based on real-time data and environmental cues.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Special Operations often involve operating in austere environments with limited resources and communication. You will learn to adapt to equipment malfunctions, logistical challenges, and unexpected obstacles to achieve mission objectives under duress.

Your experience with degraded-mode operations equips you with exceptional resilience and problem-solving skills. You can maintain operational effectiveness in the face of adversity, troubleshoot complex issues, and develop innovative solutions when resources are scarce.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been rigorously trained to manage high-pressure situations, prioritize resources, and maintain situational awareness under extreme duress. This makes you exceptionally well-suited to lead emergency response efforts and coordinate disaster relief operations.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've mastered resource optimization, team synchronization, and degraded-mode operations. This background makes you exceptionally qualified to handle complex supply chains, coordinate logistics for large-scale projects, and ensure smooth operations even in challenging circumstances.

Corporate Security Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've developed exceptional situational awareness, risk assessment skills, and the ability to rapidly prioritize threats. Your training prepares you to proactively identify vulnerabilities, implement security protocols, and protect assets in corporate environments.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Special Warfare Training Pipeline, Various Locations

1,560 training hours78 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended in military science, leadership, and physical fitness

Topics Covered

  • Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training
  • Parachute Jump Training
  • SEAL Qualification Training (SQT)
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Weapons Proficiency
  • Close Quarters Combat (CQC)
  • Maritime Operations
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)60% covered

While SEAL training provides extensive medical and survival skills, WFR focuses specifically on wilderness medicine protocols, environmental hazards, and extended patient care in remote settings. Study WFR-specific evacuation techniques and decision-making frameworks.

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)50% covered

SEAL training provides a strong foundation in physical fitness, but CPT certification requires understanding exercise science principles, program design for diverse clients, and nutrition guidelines. Study the CPT exam content outline.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC)Inflatable boat, Zodiac boat (rigid inflatable boat)
AN/PVS-15 Night Vision Goggles (NVG)Night vision equipment
Enhanced Maritime Ground/Air Task Force Exploitation (EMGATEC)GIS software for real-time data and mapping (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
Special Operations Forces Personal Radio (SOFPR)Encrypted two-way radio communication systems
Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR)High-powered precision rifle
Diver Propulsion Device (DPD)Underwater scooter

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 1197 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free