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1725 Career Guide

Navy

1725: Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Candidate

Career transition guide for Navy Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Candidate (1725)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1725 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

International Business Development Manager

$135K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

MBA or relevant business degreeSpecific industry knowledgeSales and negotiation skills

Intelligence Analyst

$95K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Enhanced analytical software skillsUpdated intelligence certifications

Political Risk Analyst

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced economics or political science degreeRisk modeling certification

International Trade Specialist

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Customs brokerage licenseKnowledge of international trade regulations

Consultant (International Relations/Security)

$120K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Strong networking skillsConsulting certifications (e.g., PMP)Specialized industry expertise

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1725 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Foreign Area Officer in training, you develop keen situational awareness by constantly analyzing geopolitical landscapes, cultural nuances, and potential threats within your designated region. You learn to identify subtle indicators and anticipate potential conflicts or opportunities.

This translates to a strong ability to assess complex environments, understand interconnected factors, and make informed decisions based on real-time information. You are adept at identifying potential risks and opportunities in dynamic situations.

Adversarial Thinking

Foreign Area Officer training hones your ability to think critically about potential adversaries. You learn to anticipate their actions, understand their motivations, and develop strategies to counter their efforts. This requires analyzing situations from multiple perspectives and identifying vulnerabilities.

In the civilian world, this translates to strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You can anticipate potential challenges, assess risks, and develop effective strategies to mitigate them. You are adept at identifying weaknesses in systems and developing solutions to address them.

Resource Optimization

Even in training, you're exposed to the complexities of managing resources effectively. As a future Foreign Area Officer, you learn how to allocate limited resources to achieve strategic objectives, considering budgetary constraints, personnel limitations, and logistical challenges.

This skill set translates directly to effective resource management in various civilian settings. You excel at maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and making strategic decisions about resource allocation to achieve organizational goals.

System Modeling

Understanding the complex systems that govern international relations, political structures, and economic forces is crucial for a Foreign Area Officer. Training involves developing models to predict outcomes and understand how different elements interact within these systems.

This translates to an ability to analyze complex situations, identify key variables, and predict potential outcomes. You can develop strategies based on system behavior.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Political Risk Analyst

SOC 19-3099.00

You've been rigorously trained to assess geopolitical risks, understand cultural sensitivities, and anticipate potential threats. Your skills in situational awareness, adversarial thinking, and resource optimization make you exceptionally well-suited to evaluate and mitigate risks for businesses operating in foreign markets.

International Development Consultant

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been immersed in understanding different cultures, political systems, and economic factors within specific regions. Your training equips you with the ability to navigate complex situations, build relationships, and develop effective strategies for promoting sustainable development. You understand how to optimize resources in challenging environments.

Corporate Intelligence Analyst

SOC 19-3099.00

You've been trained to think critically about potential adversaries, anticipate their actions, and understand their motivations. This skillset directly translates to gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information to help businesses gain a competitive advantage and protect their interests in the global marketplace. Your skills in situational awareness will be a huge asset.

Training & Education Equivalencies

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

160 training hours4 weeksUp to 3 graduate-level semester hours in International Relations or Political Science recommended.

Topics Covered

  • National Security Affairs
  • Regional Studies
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Defense Economics
  • U.S. Foreign Policy
  • Negotiation Techniques

Certification Pathways

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 Travel Regulations (JTR)Corporate Travel Policy and Expense Management Software
Security Clearance Adjudication System (SCAS)Background Check and Credentialing Software
Diplomatic Security TrainingCorporate Security and Risk Management Training
Navy Correspondence ManualBusiness Writing Style Guides and Templates
Microsoft Office Suite (SharePoint, Teams)Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom

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