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Live · Guide v1.01713 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 1713Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1713.R.04
1713 · NAVY · Officer

Foreign Area Officer (FAO) -
Training.

Navy 1713 (Foreign Area Officer (FAO) - Training). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$145K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 graduate-level semester hours in International Relations, Political Science, or Regional Studies
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 1713 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge

The gap, named.

What 1713 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have05
  • 01
    Situational AwarenessUnderstanding market nuances and anticipating industry changes.
  • 02
    Resource OptimizationProject management and budget allocation.
  • 03
    After-Action AnalysisCritical evaluation of business strategies and performance improvement.
  • 04
    Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)Language proficiency assessments (e.g., ACTFL).
  • 05
    Joint Knowledge Online (JKO)Online Learning Platforms (e.g., Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning).
To learn05

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)+Project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, GCP)+Business acumen for tech sales
How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.

See VWC Programs →
/ 03 · Civilian Pathways

Where your code lands.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

International Business Development Manager

$145K
High match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Advanced negotiation techniques
  • Specific industry knowledge
P.02

Political Risk Analyst

$110K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Advanced statistical analysis
  • Economic modeling
P.03

International Aid/Development Worker

$75K
Good match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Grant writing
  • Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
P.04

Intelligence Analyst (Private Sector)

$95K
High match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Cybersecurity analysis techniques
  • Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau)
P.05

Foreign Affairs Officer (Government)

$100K
High match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Familiarity with specific agency policies and procedures
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

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

S.01

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.

Transfers to

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.

S.02

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.

Transfers to

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.

S.03

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.

Transfers to

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.

S.04

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.

Transfers to

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

/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches

Roles the recruiter won't suggest.

Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.

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.

Adjacent · Match

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.

Adjacent · Match

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.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

FAO Basic Course

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 9 graduate-level semester hours in International Relations, Political Science, or Regional Studies

Topics · 6
  • Regional Studies and Analysis
  • Language Training (basic)
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • US National Security Policy
  • International Relations Theory
  • Area-Specific History and Politics
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)60%

    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%

    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 · 04
  • Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)Adjacent
  • International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) Certified Intelligence InstructorAdjacent
  • Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)Adjacent
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Language TestingAdjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

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

Translate 1713 into a resume that ships.

Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.