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1300 Career Guide

Navy

1300: Naval Aviator (Post-Pilot/NFO)

Career transition guide for Navy Naval Aviator (Post-Pilot/NFO) (1300)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1300 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$170K
High matchHigh demand

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific Engineering Software (e.g., CAD, MATLAB)Civilian Aerospace Regulations

Project Manager

$110K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

PMP CertificationAgile Methodologies

Operations Manager

$105K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Lean Six Sigma CertificationSupply Chain Management Principles

Flight Instructor

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Rating

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1300 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Naval Aviators must constantly monitor numerous factors, including aircraft systems, weather conditions, air traffic, and potential threats, to maintain safe and effective operations.

The ability to perceive and understand the environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information translates to the civilian world as a capacity for risk management and strategic planning.

Rapid Prioritization

In dynamic flight environments, aviators routinely face rapidly evolving situations that require immediate assessment and prioritization of actions to mitigate risks and achieve mission objectives.

Quickly assessing situations and prioritizing tasks is valuable in fast-paced civilian roles. This involves discerning the most critical issues and addressing them efficiently, ensuring effective decision-making under pressure.

Team Synchronization

Whether flying in formation or coordinating with ground crews, naval aviators are integral parts of larger operational teams. Success depends on seamless communication, shared understanding, and coordinated execution.

Synchronizing actions with others for a common goal is important in civilian collaborative environments. It ensures effective teamwork, optimized workflows, and the achievement of collective objectives.

Procedural Compliance

Naval aviation operates under strict regulations and procedures to ensure safety and operational effectiveness. Aviators must adhere to established protocols while also being able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Following established protocols and guidelines diligently while also maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changing situations demonstrates reliability, discipline, and attention to detail—qualities highly valued in various professional settings.

After-Action Analysis

Following missions or training exercises, naval aviators participate in debriefs to analyze performance, identify areas for improvement, and refine tactics and procedures.

Critically evaluating past performance to identify lessons learned and improve future outcomes translates into a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to assess risk, coordinate resources, and make critical decisions under pressure. This makes you exceptionally well-suited to lead emergency preparedness and response efforts for communities or organizations. Your experience in high-stakes environments translates directly to managing crises and ensuring public safety.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've managed complex operations and ensured the efficient flow of resources in demanding environments. Your experience in coordinating personnel, equipment, and supplies makes you an ideal candidate for optimizing supply chains and distribution networks in various industries.

Airfield Operations Specialist

SOC 53-2011.00

Your experience with the coordination of aircraft movement and airport maintenance, safety inspections, and implementation of emergency plans makes you a perfect fit for the position of an airfield operations specialist, where you can apply your skills in the civilian sector.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You have experience in developing and implementing emergency response plans for military operations, you're equipped to help businesses create strategies to prevent disruptions and recover quickly from unexpected events, ensuring organizational resilience.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), Naval Air Station Pensacola; Naval Flight Officer (NFO) or Pilot Training, Various Naval Air Stations

1,200 training hours30 weeksVaries depending on the specific pilot/NFO pipeline completed; up to 30 semester hours possible

Topics Covered

  • Aviation Physiology
  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Navigation
  • Flight Planning
  • Air Traffic Control Procedures
  • Weapons Systems (if applicable)
  • Survival Training

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Formal project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall), predictive project management, stakeholder management, and detailed understanding of PMI's PMBOK guide.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)70% covered

Specifics of civilian aviation regulations (FAA), aviation safety management systems, and business management principles relevant to aviation operations.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction40% covered

In-depth knowledge of OSHA construction standards, focus on US-specific regulations, record-keeping, and hazard communication specific to construction sites.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Carrier-Based Aircraft (e.g., F/A-18 Super Hornet, E-2 Hawkeye)Commercial Airline Pilot (Boeing/Airbus), Airborne Early Warning platforms
Land-Based Patrol Aircraft (e.g., P-8 Poseidon)Maritime Patrol Aircraft Operations, Long-range Search and Rescue Aircraft
Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software (e.g., IBM Maximo, SAP EAM)
Joint Operational Planning and Execution System (JOPES)Project Management Software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana)
Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)Aviation Safety Reporting System (FAA ASRS), Incident Reporting and Investigation Software
AN/ARC-210 RadioCommercial aviation VHF/UHF communication systems, Motorola two-way radios
IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) SystemsADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) transponders, Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS)

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