1660 Career Guide
1660: Strategic Sealift Officer
Career transition guide for Navy Strategic Sealift Officer (1660)
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Top civilian roles for 1660 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Logistics Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Transportation Planner
Skills to develop:
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Port Operations Manager
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 1660 training built — and where they transfer.
Rapid Prioritization
SSOs manage the complex logistics of sealift operations, making critical decisions under pressure to ensure cargo arrives on time and within budget. This involves quickly assessing competing demands and prioritizing tasks based on mission criticality.
The ability to rapidly assess and prioritize competing demands translates directly to project management and operational roles where quick decision-making is essential.
Resource Optimization
SSOs are responsible for maximizing the use of available resources, including ships, personnel, and equipment, to achieve strategic sealift objectives. This demands efficient allocation and coordination.
Your experience optimizing resources makes you an ideal candidate for roles in supply chain management or logistics, where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount.
Situational Awareness
SSOs need to maintain constant awareness of evolving conditions, including weather, political climates, and potential threats, to adapt sealift operations accordingly. This involves gathering and processing information from various sources.
Your honed situational awareness is invaluable in risk management and strategic planning roles, where anticipating and adapting to changing circumstances is vital.
Team Synchronization
SSOs coordinate diverse teams, including ship crews, port personnel, and logistics specialists, to ensure seamless sealift operations. This requires clear communication, delegation, and conflict resolution.
Your team synchronization skills are highly transferable to leadership positions in various industries, where you can effectively manage and motivate teams to achieve common goals.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been responsible for the smooth logistical functioning of critical Navy assets, often in unpredictable environments. This experience directly translates to planning and executing emergency response efforts, coordinating resources, and maintaining calm under pressure as an Emergency Management Director. Your ability to assess risks, prioritize actions, and manage complex operations is precisely what this role demands.
Logistics Consultant
SOC 13-1141.00You've been at the heart of naval logistics, so your expertise in optimizing complex supply chains and managing resources makes you a great fit as a Logistics Consultant. You'll advise businesses on how to improve efficiency and reduce costs, drawing on your proven ability to streamline operations and solve logistical challenges. Your understanding of strategic planning and execution gives you a unique edge in this field.
Business Continuity Planner
SOC 13-1199.05You've been responsible for the smooth logistical functioning of critical Navy assets, often in unpredictable environments. As a Special Duty Officer, you understand the importance of planning for disruptions and maintaining operational readiness. Your skills in risk assessment, contingency planning, and resource allocation make you well-suited to help organizations prepare for and recover from unexpected events.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Strategic Sealift Officer Indoctrination Course (SSOIC), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY
Topics Covered
- •Military Sealift Command (MSC) Operations
- •Shipboard Organization and Management
- •Maritime Law and Regulations
- •Cargo Operations and Stowage
- •Emergency Procedures and Damage Control
- •Naval Warfare and Security
- •Leadership and Teamwork
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Study specific warehousing and distribution center operations, and some of the basic terminology. Focus on the CLA modules covering logistics environment, safety, quality control, and communication skills within a logistics setting.
Study the end-to-end supply chain, including demand planning, inventory management, manufacturing, distribution, and customer service. The SSO role provides a foundation in transportation, but CSCP requires broader knowledge.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Automated Manifest Support System (AMSS) | Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with supply chain management and warehouse management modules |
| Cargo Movement Operations System (CMOS) | Transportation Management Systems (TMS) used by freight forwarders and logistics companies |
| Defense Transportation Reporting and Control System (DTRCS) | Real-time tracking and visibility platforms like FourKites or Project44 |
| Global Transportation Network (GTN) | Cloud-based supply chain visibility and collaboration platforms |
| Integrated Booking System (IBS) | Online booking platforms for freight and cargo, similar to those used by freight brokers |
| Next Generation Automated Information System (NGAIS) | Advanced data analytics platforms for logistics, predictive analytics for supply chain optimization |
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