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1713 Career Guide

Navy

1713: Foreign Area Officer (FAO) - Training

Career transition guide for Navy Foreign Area Officer (FAO) - Training (1713)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1713 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

International Business Development Manager

$145K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced negotiation techniquesSpecific industry knowledge

Political Risk Analyst

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced statistical analysisEconomic modeling

International Aid/Development Worker

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Grant writingProject management certification (e.g., PMP)

Intelligence Analyst (Private Sector)

$95K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity analysis techniquesData visualization tools (e.g., Tableau)

Foreign Affairs Officer (Government)

$100K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Familiarity with specific agency policies and procedures

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1713 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Foreign Area Officer, you constantly assess the geopolitical landscape, understanding the cultural, economic, and military factors at play in a specific region.

This translates directly to an ability to quickly grasp the nuances of a new market or industry, anticipating potential challenges and opportunities before they arise.

Adversarial Thinking

In your training and preparation as a Foreign Area Officer, you consider potential threats and challenges, anticipating the actions of adversaries and developing strategies to counter them.

This skill is highly valuable in competitive business environments where you need to anticipate competitors' moves and develop proactive strategies to maintain a competitive edge.

Resource Optimization

Even in training, understanding resource limitations and allocating them effectively to achieve mission objectives is vital. This includes managing time, information, and personnel.

This translates to efficient project management, strategic budget allocation, and the ability to maximize output with limited resources – a highly sought-after skill in any organization.

After-Action Analysis

You're trained to meticulously review operations and training exercises, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into future planning.

This ability allows you to critically evaluate business strategies, pinpoint weaknesses, and implement corrective actions to enhance overall performance and achieve continuous improvement.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Competitive Intelligence Analyst

SOC 19-3099.00

You've been trained to think adversarially and analyze complex situations. As a competitive intelligence analyst (19-3099.00), you'll use these skills to gather and analyze information about competitors, helping companies make strategic decisions. Your understanding of geopolitical factors gained as a Foreign Area Officer will be invaluable in this role.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022.00

You've developed keen situational awareness skills. As a Market Research Analyst (19-3022.00), you'll use those abilities to analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor strategies, providing valuable insights to businesses. Your experience in understanding cultural nuances will be particularly useful in international market research.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

You're skilled in resource optimization and after-action analysis. As a Management Consultant (13-1111.00), you'll apply these skills to help organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness. You've been trained to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions, making you a valuable asset to any consulting firm.

Training & Education Equivalencies

FAO Basic Course, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 graduate-level semester hours in International Relations, Political Science, or Regional Studies

Topics Covered

  • Regional Studies and Analysis
  • Language Training (basic)
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • US National Security Policy
  • International Relations Theory
  • Area-Specific History and Politics

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)60% covered

Gaps include specific international trade regulations, documentation, finance, and marketing principles used in the commercial sector. Study the CITP body of knowledge.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Gaps involve specific project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum), business analysis, and risk management techniques commonly used in civilian project management. Study the PMBOK Guide.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) Certified Intelligence InstructorDefense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)Federal Bureau of Investigation Language Testing

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)Language proficiency assessments (e.g., ACTFL)
Joint Knowledge Online (JKO)Online Learning Platforms (e.g., Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning)
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) SystemInternational Sales and Logistics Software (e.g., SAP, Oracle with International Trade modules)
Global Force Management (GFM) SystemResource Management and Planning Software
Security Cooperation Information Portal (SCIP)Secure International Collaboration Platforms
Diplomatic Security TrainingCorporate Security Training & Risk Assessment Programs

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