21D Career Guide
21D: Army Diver
Career transition guide for Army Army Diver (21D)
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Top civilian roles for 21D veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Commercial Diver
Skills to develop:
Underwater Welder
Skills to develop:
Construction Supervisor
Skills to develop:
Search and Rescue Diver
Skills to develop:
Demolition Expert
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 21D training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As a diving supervisor, you constantly assess underwater conditions, equipment functionality, and team member status to anticipate potential hazards and ensure mission success.
This translates to the ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of dynamic environments, identify emerging risks, and proactively adjust strategies to mitigate potential problems in civilian settings.
Team Synchronization
You orchestrate complex diving operations, coordinating the actions of multiple team members underwater and topside, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to safety protocols.
This signifies your proficiency in aligning diverse skill sets, fostering clear communication, and managing interdependent tasks to achieve collective objectives in a collaborative civilian work environment.
Degraded-Mode Operations
You maintain operational effectiveness under pressure by responding swiftly to equipment malfunctions, adverse weather, and medical emergencies, adapting procedures to maintain mission viability.
This showcases your resilience and problem-solving skills in high-stress situations, enabling you to maintain productivity and find solutions when resources are limited or unexpected challenges arise in the civilian world.
Procedural Compliance
You enforce strict adherence to safety regulations, demolition protocols, and maintenance procedures to minimize risks and ensure the integrity of diving operations.
Your commitment to following established guidelines and enforcing standards demonstrates your ability to prioritize safety, quality, and accountability in regulated civilian industries.
After-Action Analysis
You lead post-mission debriefs, identifying lessons learned, and recommending improvements to future diving procedures, optimizing performance and safety protocols.
This reflects your dedication to continuous improvement, your ability to extract valuable insights from past experiences, and your commitment to enhancing organizational effectiveness through data-driven decision-making in a civilian context.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9086You've been working with specialized equipment in harsh environments, so you're already familiar with the technical skills required for wind turbine maintenance and repair. Your experience with safety protocols and problem-solving will be highly valued in this growing industry.
Commercial Fisherman
SOC 45-3011You've been navigating waterways and operating specialized equipment, giving you a strong foundation for the challenges of commercial fishing. Your experience with underwater operations and maintenance will give you a competitive edge in this industry.
HAZMAT Removal Worker
SOC 47-4041You've been trained to mitigate risks in dangerous environments, preparing you to handle hazardous materials safely and effectively. Your commitment to safety protocols and emergency response will make you a valuable asset in this field.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Diver Training Course, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, FL
Topics Covered
- •Diving Physics and Physiology
- •Open and Closed Circuit Diving Operations
- •Underwater Cutting and Welding
- •Underwater Demolitions
- •Recompression Chamber Operations
- •Salvage Operations
- •Underwater Hydraulic Tool Operation
- •Small Boat Operations
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Specific commercial diving techniques, local regulations, and industry-specific standards may need to be studied. Knowledge of specific equipment used in the commercial sector.
While military training covers safety, this OSHA certification requires specific knowledge of OSHA construction standards, record-keeping, and inspection procedures.
Formal project management methodologies, documentation, and stakeholder communication techniques per the PMBOK guide will need to be studied.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Recompression Chamber | Hyperbaric Chamber |
| Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA) | Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) |
| Hydraulic Power Units (HPU) for underwater tools | Commercial hydraulic power packs |
| Diving Umbilical | Commercial diving tether with communications and air supply |
| Underwater demolition charges (e.g., C4, shaped charges) | Commercial explosives for underwater blasting (e.g., for construction, salvage) |
| Side-Scan Sonar | Commercial side-scan sonar systems for underwater surveys |
| Lightweight Diving System (LDS) | Commercial Surface Supplied Diving Systems (SSDS) |
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