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1320 Career Guide

Navy

1320: Naval Flight Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Naval Flight Officer (1320)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1320 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$170K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) CertificationSpecific aircraft type rating (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320)

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Aerospace EngineeringProficiency in CAD/CAM softwareKnowledge of aerospace materials and manufacturing processes

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist CertificationOn-the-job training at an FAA facility

Operations Manager

$95K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) CertificationLean Six Sigma certificationBusiness administration skills

Aviation Safety Inspector

$100K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Safety Inspector certificationIn-depth knowledge of FAA regulationsStrong auditing and inspection skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1320 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Naval Flight Officers must constantly monitor a dynamic environment, integrating data from instruments, sensors, and communications to maintain a complete understanding of the aircraft's state, surrounding airspace, potential threats, and mission objectives.

The ability to perceive and understand the significance of multiple streams of information in a complex and rapidly changing environment, allowing for proactive decision-making and risk mitigation.

Rapid Prioritization

During flight operations, Naval Flight Officers are frequently required to quickly assess and prioritize competing demands and threats, such as equipment malfunctions, changing weather conditions, or enemy activity, to ensure mission success and safety.

The capacity to swiftly evaluate and rank tasks or problems based on their urgency and impact, enabling effective resource allocation and efficient problem-solving under pressure.

Team Synchronization

Naval Flight Officers operate as integral members of a flight crew, requiring them to coordinate seamlessly with pilots, air traffic controllers, and other support personnel to achieve shared objectives and maintain a cohesive operational picture.

The ability to effectively collaborate and coordinate with others, ensuring that individual actions align with team goals and contribute to overall success.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Naval Flight Officers are trained to maintain operational effectiveness even when systems or equipment fail, requiring them to troubleshoot problems, adapt procedures, and improvise solutions in challenging situations.

The capacity to maintain performance and achieve objectives even when resources are limited, systems are malfunctioning, or unexpected obstacles arise.

Resource Optimization

During missions, Naval Flight Officers are responsible for managing fuel consumption, sensor usage, and other resources to maximize operational efficiency and extend mission endurance while adhering to safety protocols.

The ability to effectively allocate and manage resources, such as time, budget, and personnel, to achieve maximum efficiency and minimize waste while still achieving goals.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Disaster Response Coordinator

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been rigorously trained to manage crises under pressure, assess complex situations, and coordinate diverse teams. Your experience in degraded-mode operations and rapid prioritization directly translates to the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of disaster relief.

Logistics and Supply Chain Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've honed your skills in resource optimization, situational awareness, and procedural compliance within a highly structured environment. You're adept at managing complex operations. This expertise is directly applicable to optimizing supply chains and ensuring timely delivery of goods.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

Your mastery of situational awareness, pattern recognition, and after-action analysis makes you an ideal candidate. You are skilled at gathering, interpreting, and synthesizing information to identify trends and predict future events, which is critical in intelligence analysis.

Financial Risk Analyst

SOC 13-2051.00

You've developed a strong aptitude for rapid prioritization, system modeling and resource optimization. Your military experience instilled in you a high level of discipline and an ability to thrive under pressure, making you well-suited for analyzing and mitigating financial risks.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Flight Officer Training, NAS Pensacola

1,040 training hours26 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Aviation Physiology
  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Air Navigation
  • Radar Navigation
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Crew Resource Management
  • Survival Training

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Commercial Pilot License70% covered

While military flight training is extensive, conversion to a civilian Commercial Pilot License requires passing FAA written and practical exams, demonstrating proficiency in civilian aviation regulations, and meeting specific flight hour requirements outlined by the FAA. Additional training in civilian navigation techniques and airspace procedures may also be needed.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)50% covered

The CAM certification focuses on the business and management aspects of aviation. While the officer has leadership experience, they would need to study finance, marketing, human resources, and other business-related topics specific to aviation management.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/APS-153 Multi-Mode RadarCommercial Weather Radar Systems (e.g., those used in maritime shipping or weather forecasting)
AN/ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD)Geophysical Survey Equipment for mineral exploration or underwater pipeline inspection
Link 16Secure data link systems used in logistics, emergency services, or financial transactions
AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing SystemAdvanced process control systems or automated dispensing systems for hazardous materials
IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) SystemsTransponder systems used in civilian aviation for air traffic control and collision avoidance (e.g., ADS-B)
Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS)Commercial GNSS-based precision landing systems for aviation
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)VOR/DME (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment) - standard civilian air navigation system

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