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1685 Career Guide

Navy

1685: Special Duty Officer (Reserve Recruiting)

Career transition guide for Navy Special Duty Officer (Reserve Recruiting) (1685)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1685 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Recruiter

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Human Resources Specialist

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR)Knowledge of employment law

Sales Representative

$70K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Sales techniquesProduct knowledge

Training and Development Specialist

$72K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional designTraining delivery methods

Public Relations Specialist

$68K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Media relationsCrisis communication

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1685 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Reserve Recruiting Officers constantly juggle multiple leads, assess potential recruits based on diverse criteria (aptitude, background, waivers), and allocate time effectively to maximize enlistment success. They must quickly determine which prospects are most promising and focus their efforts accordingly.

This translates to the ability to quickly assess needs, prioritize tasks, and manage your time effectively in a fast-paced environment. You can efficiently allocate resources and focus on high-impact activities.

Adversarial Thinking

Recruiting involves overcoming objections, addressing concerns about military service, and competing with other branches and civilian opportunities for potential recruits. Officers need to anticipate counterarguments, develop persuasive strategies, and navigate skepticism.

This demonstrates your ability to anticipate challenges, understand opposing viewpoints, and develop persuasive solutions. You are adept at negotiating, overcoming objections, and achieving desired outcomes in competitive situations.

Resource Optimization

Reserve Recruiting Officers operate within budget constraints and are responsible for maximizing the impact of their recruiting efforts. This involves strategically allocating resources like advertising funds, travel expenses, and recruiter time to achieve enlistment goals efficiently.

You possess a strong understanding of resource allocation and budget management. You can identify opportunities for efficiency, minimize waste, and maximize the return on investment in any project.

Situational Awareness

Reserve Recruiting Officers must understand the local market, including demographics, employment trends, and community attitudes towards military service. They must also be aware of current events and adjust their recruiting strategies accordingly to resonate with potential recruits.

You possess excellent observational and analytical skills, allowing you to quickly grasp the dynamics of a particular market or environment. You can identify trends, assess risks, and adapt your strategies to maximize success in changing conditions.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022.00

You've been analyzing potential recruits and the recruiting landscape, which translates directly into market research skills. You can use your understanding of demographics, trends, and competitive environments to help businesses understand their target markets and develop effective marketing strategies.

Sales Engineer

SOC 41-9031.00

You've been persuading potential recruits of the benefits of military service, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to address concerns. As a Sales Engineer, you can use these skills to understand client needs, explain complex technical products, and close deals.

Public Relations Specialist

SOC 27-3031.00

You've been shaping public perception of the Naval Reserve, which requires strong communication and marketing skills. As a Public Relations Specialist, you can use your ability to craft compelling messages and build relationships with stakeholders to promote a positive image for organizations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) or Officer Candidate School (OCS), followed by Naval Reserve Recruiting Orientation, Naval Station Great Lakes

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 3 semester hours in Management or Marketing may be recommended

Topics Covered

  • Naval Reserve Programs and Policies
  • Recruiting Strategies and Techniques
  • Marketing and Public Relations
  • Interviewing and Assessment Skills
  • Naval Reserve Administration and Operations
  • Ethics and Professionalism in Recruiting

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

SHRM-CP50% covered

Requires study of HR technical competencies like compensation, benefits, employee relations, and labor law which are not heavily emphasized in reserve recruiting.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Requires a deeper understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques as defined by PMI, including detailed knowledge areas and process groups.

Recommended Next Certifications

SHRM-CPProject Management Professional (PMP)Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR)Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
NRS Recruiting Information Management System (RIMS)Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) with eligibility verification modules
Navy Recruiting Quota Management System (internal tool)Sales quota tracking and performance management software
Joint Advertising, Market Research & Studies (JAMRS) databaseMarket research databases and analytics platforms (e.g., Nielsen, Statista)
e-Recruiting tools within MyNavy HRApplicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Taleo or Workday Recruiting
DoD Security Clearance System (DISS)Background check and security clearance services (e.g., Sterling, Checkr)

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