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1710 Career Guide

Navy

1710: Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Candidate

Career transition guide for Navy Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Candidate (1710)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1710 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

International Business Development Manager

$140K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced negotiation skillsSpecific industry knowledge

Political Risk Analyst

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced financial modelingCountry-specific expertise

Intelligence Analyst

$95K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysis certificationsSpecific software proficiency

International Aid/Development Worker

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Grant writingProject management certificationSpecific sector knowledge (e.g., public health)

Corporate Security Manager (International)

$125K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Corporate security certifications (e.g., CPP)Risk management expertise

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1710 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Foreign Area Officer in training, you're constantly assessing the geopolitical landscape, cultural nuances, and potential threats within your assigned region. You're building a deep understanding of the environment to anticipate challenges and opportunities.

This translates to a strong ability to understand the dynamics of a market, industry, or organization. You can quickly grasp the key factors at play and predict how events might unfold.

Adversarial Thinking

While in training, you're exposed to various scenarios and simulations that require you to anticipate the actions and reactions of potential adversaries, understanding their motivations and strategies.

This skill allows you to think critically about competitors, identify potential risks, and develop strategies to mitigate them. You're adept at anticipating challenges and finding innovative solutions.

Resource Optimization

Even during training, you're responsible for managing your time, budget, and available resources to achieve your objectives. You learn to make the most of limited assets and prioritize effectively.

You're highly skilled at allocating resources efficiently and maximizing productivity. You can identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to optimize processes and reduce waste.

After-Action Analysis

Formal training environments emphasize learning from experience through rigorous after-action reviews. You develop the ability to objectively assess your performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions.

You have a natural ability to evaluate projects, initiatives, and strategies. You can identify what worked well, what didn't, and develop actionable insights to improve future performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022.00

You've been developing a deep understanding of foreign cultures and geopolitical situations. This translates directly to understanding market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes. You can use your analytical skills to gather data, identify opportunities, and provide valuable insights to businesses.

Business Development Manager

SOC 11-2011.00

You've been trained to identify opportunities and build relationships in complex environments. This makes you an ideal candidate for fostering strategic partnerships, expanding market reach, and driving revenue growth for companies seeking to operate globally.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 13-2011.00

You've honed your analytical and critical thinking skills to assess threats and opportunities. In the civilian sector, you can leverage these skills to identify and mitigate risks related to cybersecurity, fraud, or other forms of business intelligence.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Basic Course, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in International Relations, Political Science, or Area Studies

Topics Covered

  • Regional Studies and Analysis
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Political-Military Affairs
  • International Relations Theory
  • Economics and Development
  • Language Immersion Preparation
  • Security Cooperation
  • Naval Strategy and Foreign Policy

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)60% covered

Requires understanding of specific international trade regulations, finance, and marketing principles, which are typically not covered in general Foreign Area Officer training. Focus on trade law, global supply chain management, and international marketing strategies.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Requires formal training in project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and the PMBOK guide. Focus study on the five process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing) and ten knowledge areas (e.g., Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communications, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholder).

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)Foreign language aptitude testing services
Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)Corporate travel management software (e.g., Concur)
Navy Correspondence ManualBusiness writing style guides and communication platforms
Microsoft Office Suite (Navy Standard)Equivalent civilian Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
DTS (Defense Travel System)Travel and expense management software (e.g., Expensify, SAP Concur)
NSIPS (Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System)Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) like Workday or Oracle HCM

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