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1820 Career Guide

Navy

1820: Information Professional Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Information Professional Officer (1820)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1820 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Information Security Analyst

$105K
High matchVery high demand

Network Architect

$130K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)Advanced knowledge of network protocols

IT Project Manager

$115K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologies

Space Systems Engineer

$125K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific engineering degree (e.g., Aerospace, Electrical)Specialized knowledge of satellite systemsExperience with simulation and modeling software

Cybersecurity Consultant

$120K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1820 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a Special Duty Officer, you understand the intricate relationships within information, command & control, and space systems, allowing you to predict system behavior and optimize performance.

This ability to visualize and understand complex systems translates directly into the civilian world, where you can analyze and improve business processes, software architectures, or logistical networks.

Rapid Prioritization

You're adept at quickly assessing situations and prioritizing tasks related to the planning, acquisition, operation, and maintenance of critical systems, especially when under pressure or facing rapidly changing circumstances.

In the civilian sector, this translates into effectively managing project timelines, allocating resources to critical tasks, and making informed decisions under pressure.

Resource Optimization

You're skilled at efficiently allocating and managing resources (personnel, equipment, budget) to ensure the optimal performance and security of complex information and space systems.

This capability is invaluable in civilian project management, supply chain management, and financial analysis, where maximizing resource utilization is key to success.

Situational Awareness

As an Information Professional Community officer, you maintain a constant awareness of the operational environment, including potential threats and vulnerabilities to information and space systems.

This heightened awareness translates into the ability to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and adapt strategies in dynamic civilian environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

You've been immersed in complex systems, and that's exactly what business intelligence is about. As a Special Duty Officer, you are used to understanding and securing information flow; this is a core skill for a BI Analyst who must interpret data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to improve business performance. Your ability to model systems and optimize resources makes you a perfect fit.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-1081.00

You've been managing information, command, and control systems, which involves a complex network of resources. You will excel as a Logistics Analyst! You're already experienced in optimizing resource allocation and maintaining situational awareness – skills vital for managing supply chains, predicting logistical challenges, and improving efficiency in civilian organizations.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

You've been responsible for the planning, acquisition, and operation of complex systems. Now you can use those skills to identify problems, analyze data, and recommend solutions to improve organizational performance. You have a solid background in resource optimization and system modeling, which will allow you to advise businesses on strategic and operational improvements.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Information Professional Basic Officer Course (IPBOC), Naval Information Warfare Training Command (NIWTC), Virginia Beach, VA

320 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Information Technology or Computer Science

Topics Covered

  • Naval Telecommunications Procedures
  • Information Operations
  • Computer Network Defense
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum Management
  • Navy Command and Control Systems
  • Space Systems and Operations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)70% covered

Requires study of specific legal and regulatory frameworks, business continuity planning, and physical (datacenter) security, as the military focuses on operational security. Also requires 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP CBK.

CompTIA Security+80% covered

Requires some study of compliance frameworks (HIPAA, PCI DSS), risk management, and penetration testing methodologies. Military experience heavily covers network security, access control, and incident response.

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Requires formal training in project management methodologies (PMBOK), particularly in areas of cost estimation, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication. Military projects often have different constraints and reporting structures.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)AWS Certified Security - SpecialtyCertified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Navy Tactical Command Support System (NTCSS)ERP systems, such as SAP or Oracle, used for logistics and supply chain management
Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M)Maritime domain awareness platforms like MarineTraffic or Lloyd's List Intelligence
Automated Digital Network System (ADNS)Enterprise network management systems like Cisco DNA Center or SolarWinds
Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) SystemCybersecurity incident response platforms and frameworks
Naval Integrated Tactical Environmental Subsystem (NITES)Weather routing software and environmental monitoring systems used in the maritime industry
Cryptographic systems (e.g., KG-175, KIV-7)Encryption software and hardware, such as those using AES, TLS/SSL protocols
Wireless Information Network (WIN-T)Satellite communication systems and services like those provided by Inmarsat or Iridium

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