1695 Career Guide
1695: Special Duty Officer (Merchant Marine)
Career transition guide for Navy Special Duty Officer (Merchant Marine) (1695)
Translate Your 1695 Experience Now
Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.
Start Free TranslationCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 1695 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Ship Captain
Marine Surveyor
Skills to develop:
Port Operations Manager
Skills to develop:
Maritime Academy Instructor
Skills to develop:
Logistics Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 1695 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Merchant Marine Officers constantly monitor their surroundings, considering weather, vessel traffic, mechanical status, and cargo stability. They must anticipate potential hazards and react swiftly to maintain the safety of the crew, vessel, and cargo.
This translates directly to the ability to perceive and understand complex environments, predict potential problems, and make proactive decisions to avoid negative outcomes.
Rapid Prioritization
From managing cargo operations and navigation to responding to emergencies like fires or mechanical failures, Merchant Marine Officers must quickly assess the urgency and importance of competing demands to allocate resources effectively and maintain operational efficiency.
You excel at triaging tasks, identifying critical issues, and delegating responsibilities under pressure, ensuring that resources are allocated where they have the greatest impact.
Procedural Compliance
Adherence to maritime regulations, safety protocols, and operational procedures is paramount for Merchant Marine Officers. They must meticulously follow established guidelines to ensure compliance, prevent accidents, and maintain the integrity of operations.
You have a demonstrated ability to understand, implement, and enforce complex rules and regulations, ensuring consistent adherence to standards and minimizing risks.
System Modeling
Merchant Marine Officers develop a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of shipboard systems, including navigation, propulsion, cargo handling, and safety equipment. They use this knowledge to predict how changes in one area will impact others and to optimize overall performance.
You can analyze complex systems, understand their interdependencies, and predict outcomes based on various inputs and conditions. This ability allows you to identify potential bottlenecks, optimize processes, and improve overall system efficiency.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been responsible for the safe and efficient transport of valuable cargo across the globe. As a Logistics Manager, you'll apply your expertise in planning, coordinating, and executing complex supply chain operations to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of goods. You're already adept at managing resources, mitigating risks, and navigating challenging environments, making you a natural fit for this role.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've honed your ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure, to assess and mitigate risks, and to coordinate resources effectively during emergencies. As an Emergency Management Director, you will leverage these skills to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, coordinate response efforts, and protect communities from natural disasters and other crises. Your experience in maritime safety and emergency response will be invaluable in this role.
Marine Surveyor
SOC 19-3099.02You've developed an intimate understanding of ship construction, maintenance, and operation. As a Marine Surveyor, you'll use your expertise to inspect vessels, assess their condition, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. You're already familiar with maritime laws, inspection procedures, and risk management, making this a seamless transition for you.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course (DCOIC), Naval Station Newport, RI
Topics Covered
- •Naval Organization and Customs
- •Military Justice and Code of Conduct
- •Leadership and Management Principles
- •Damage Control and Firefighting
- •Maritime Security Operations
- •Naval Warfare Fundamentals
- •Communications and Information Technology
- •Watchstanding Procedures
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Familiarization with specific vessel types, company policies, and any updates to maritime regulations since military service. Also, practical experience logging sea time on commercial vessels is needed.
Significant sea time, specific training courses (e.g., advanced firefighting, radar observer), and passing the USCG exam. Requires documenting qualifying sea service and demonstrating competency in navigation and maritime law.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) | Commercial ship tracking and emergency response systems (e.g., Pole Star, Lloyd's List Intelligence) |
| Voyage Management System (VMS) | Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and voyage planning software (e.g., Transas, NaviSailor) |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) | Satellite and terrestrial communication systems for maritime safety (e.g., Inmarsat, Iridium) |
| Naval Vessel Rules (NVR) | American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules or Lloyd's Register (LR) Rules for ship construction and maintenance |
| Damage Control System | Emergency response and safety management systems (e.g., incident management software, fire and safety equipment) |
| Integrated Bridge System (IBS) | Integrated navigation systems (e.g., Raymarine, Furuno) |
Ready to Translate Your Experience?
Our AI-powered translator converts your 1695 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.
Translate My Resume — Free