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6355 Career Guide

Navy

6355: Hull Maintenance Limited Duty Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Hull Maintenance Limited Duty Officer (6355)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6355 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Shipfitter

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Welder

$55K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific Welding Certifications (e.g., AWS)Familiarity with civilian welding codes

Maintenance Manager

$85K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP)Experience with CMMS software

Quality Control Inspector

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., ASQ)Knowledge of relevant quality standards

Naval Architect

$95K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Naval Architecture or Marine EngineeringCAD/CAM software proficiency

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6355 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Hull Maintenance Officers are responsible for understanding the complex systems within a ship's hull, including structural integrity, ballast systems, and damage control measures. They create and maintain mental models of these systems to predict performance and identify potential issues.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates to the civilian world as proficiency in analyzing and troubleshooting interconnected processes and infrastructure.

Resource Optimization

Hull Maintenance Officers must manage resources (personnel, equipment, budget) effectively to ensure timely and cost-effective maintenance and repairs. They need to prioritize tasks, allocate resources efficiently, and minimize downtime.

Your experience in optimizing resources within the challenging environment of ship maintenance directly translates to skills in project management, budget control, and efficient allocation of assets in civilian industries.

Degraded-Mode Operations

In the event of damage or system failures, Hull Maintenance Officers must be able to quickly assess the situation, implement temporary repairs, and maintain essential functions using limited resources. This requires thinking on their feet and adapting to unforeseen circumstances.

Your experience in maintaining operational readiness under duress gives you a distinct advantage in high-pressure civilian roles where problem-solving and adaptability are critical for success.

Situational Awareness

Hull Maintenance Officers need to maintain a high degree of situational awareness to understand the overall condition of the ship, identify potential risks, and coordinate maintenance activities with other departments. This includes staying informed about changes in operational requirements and environmental factors.

Your ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and maintain awareness of the bigger picture translates directly to civilian roles that require strategic thinking and proactive decision-making.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3012.00

You've been responsible for the structural integrity and operational readiness of a complex naval vessel. As a Facilities Manager, you'll leverage that expertise to maintain and improve commercial or residential properties. Your experience with budgeting, personnel management, and system maintenance makes you an ideal candidate.

Insurance Risk Assessor

SOC 13-2053.00

You've developed a keen eye for potential risks related to structural integrity and system failures on ships. As an Insurance Risk Assessor, you can apply your analytical skills to evaluate risks associated with properties and equipment, helping insurance companies make informed decisions. Your understanding of complex systems and your ability to identify vulnerabilities are invaluable.

Construction Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've coordinated complex maintenance and repair projects on ships, ensuring timely completion and efficient resource allocation. As a Construction Project Manager, you'll utilize those project management skills to oversee building projects from start to finish, managing budgets, schedules, and personnel. Your experience with problem-solving and adapting to changing conditions is a major asset.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), Newport, RI and various shipboard tours.

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in basic engineering and leadership principles

Topics Covered

  • Shipboard Damage Control
  • Hull Repair Techniques
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Piping Systems
  • Structural Repair
  • Naval Engineering Fundamentals
  • Leadership and Management
  • Safety Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)60% covered

AWS CWI certification requires specific knowledge of AWS codes, standards, and welding processes that might not be fully covered in Navy hull maintenance training. Additional study on AWS D1.1, D1.5, and D1.6 structural welding codes is needed.

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)50% covered

While naval hull maintenance provides a strong foundation in maintenance principles, the CMRP exam covers a broader range of asset management, reliability engineering, and business management topics. Study areas include preventive maintenance optimization, root cause analysis, and financial justification of maintenance programs.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
NAVSEA Standard ItemsStandardized Repair Procedures and Guidelines (e.g., ASME standards, AWS standards)
Advanced Hull Inspection Technologies (e.g., Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Eddy Current Testing (ECT))Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) equipment and services
Ship Repair Facility Management System (SRFMS)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software (e.g., IBM Maximo, SAP EAM)
Naval Ship Technical Manual (NSTM)Technical Documentation and Regulatory Compliance Libraries
Docking/Undocking Procedures and EquipmentMarine Engineering and Dry Dock Operations
Corrosion Control and Prevention Technologies (e.g., Cathodic Protection)Industrial Corrosion Management Solutions
Damage Control Central (DCC) SystemsEmergency Response and Safety Management Systems

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