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1723 Career Guide

Navy

1723: Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Candidate

Career transition guide for Navy Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Candidate (1723)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1723 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

International Business Development Manager

$135K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced negotiation techniquesMBA or relevant business certifications

Intelligence Analyst (Corporate)

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysis software proficiencyIndustry-specific knowledge

Government Relations Specialist

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Lobbying techniquesUnderstanding of legislative processes

International Consultant

$120K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Consulting methodologiesProject management certification (e.g., PMP)

Foreign Affairs Officer (GS Position)

$100K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civil Service application processUpdated knowledge of current affairs

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1723 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. This requires a keen awareness of your surroundings and the ability to anticipate changes.

This translates to the ability to understand complex environments, identify potential risks and opportunities, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances in the civilian world.

Adversarial Thinking

Even in a training role, you are learning to anticipate the actions and motivations of potential adversaries, understanding their strategies and vulnerabilities to develop effective countermeasures.

This skill allows you to anticipate challenges, identify potential risks in business negotiations, and develop robust strategies to overcome obstacles.

Resource Optimization

Foreign Area Officers must be adept at leveraging limited resources – including personnel, funding, and logistical support – to achieve strategic objectives in challenging environments.

This translates into being highly efficient in managing budgets, time, and personnel to maximize productivity and achieve organizational goals.

After-Action Analysis

A key part of your training involves critically evaluating past events and operations to identify lessons learned and improve future performance. This requires rigorous analysis and objective assessment.

This skill set is highly valuable for continuous improvement initiatives, project management, and strategic planning in any industry.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Market Research Analyst

SOC 19-3022.00

You've been trained to analyze complex geopolitical situations and anticipate adversarial actions. As a Market Research Analyst, you can apply these skills to understand market trends, identify competitors' strategies, and predict future market behavior. This allows you to provide valuable insights to businesses looking to gain a competitive edge.

Intelligence Analyst (Private Sector)

SOC 13-2011.00

Your experience in assessing threats, understanding cultural nuances, and optimizing resources translates directly to the private sector, where companies need to protect their assets, anticipate risks, and make informed decisions in a globalized world. You’ve been developing many transferable skills!

International Business Development Manager

SOC 11-2021.00

Your training as a Foreign Area Officer has equipped you with a deep understanding of international relations, cultural sensitivities, and strategic planning. As an International Business Development Manager, you can leverage these skills to identify new market opportunities, build relationships with international partners, and navigate the complexities of global commerce. You've been studying and developing a lot of useful knowledge to bring to this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Foreign Area Officer Basic Course, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in political science, international relations, or area studies

Topics Covered

  • Regional Studies (e.g., East Asia, Middle East)
  • Political-Military Affairs
  • International Relations Theory
  • U.S. National Security Policy
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Defense Economics
  • Security Cooperation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)60% covered

Requires study of international business law, trade finance mechanisms, and specific regional trade agreements. The Foreign Area Officer training provides a strong foundation in cultural awareness and geopolitical analysis, but lacks in-depth business applications.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

While officers gain project management experience, PMP requires formal training in PMBOK principles: scope, schedule, cost, risk, communications, procurement, etc.

Recommended Next Certifications

Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) - maintain proficiencyMaster's Degree in International Relations, Political Science, or related fieldCertified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

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
Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS)Secure Internet Relay Chat (SIRC)
Navy Foreign Language Program (NFLP)Berlitz Language Programs
Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M)Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Systems
Automated Message Handling System (AMHS)Secure Messaging Platforms (e.g., Signal, Wire)
Various classified intelligence databases (e.g., INTELINK)Commercial intelligence platforms (e.g., IHS Markit, Bloomberg Terminal)

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