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6460 Career Guide

Navy

6460: Oceanography Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Oceanography Officer (6460)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 6460 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Meteorologist

$99K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (if broadcasting)Familiarity with civilian weather models

Environmental Consultant

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Environmental regulations knowledgeSpecific environmental certifications (e.g., HAZWOPER)

Data Scientist

$120K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Python or R programmingMachine learning techniques

Emergency Management Director

$80K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Emergency management certifications (e.g., Certified Emergency Manager)Local government procedures

Geospatial Analyst

$75K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

GIS software proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)Remote sensing techniques

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 6460 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a METOC officer, you built mental models of complex weather and oceanographic systems, predicting their behavior to inform operational decisions.

This ability to model dynamic systems translates to understanding and predicting trends in business, finance, or even urban planning.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a constant awareness of environmental conditions and their impact on naval operations, proactively identifying potential risks and opportunities.

This keen sense of situational awareness is highly valuable in project management, risk assessment, or any role requiring proactive problem-solving and strategic foresight.

Resource Optimization

You managed and allocated meteorological and oceanographic resources effectively, ensuring optimal support for fleet operations under varying constraints.

Your experience optimizing resource allocation makes you well-suited for roles in supply chain management, logistics, or operations management, where efficiency is paramount.

After-Action Analysis

You reviewed past forecasts and operational outcomes, identifying areas for improvement in forecasting techniques and decision-making processes.

This analytical skill is critical for process improvement, quality assurance, and strategic planning in any industry. Your ability to learn from experience will make you a valuable asset.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been responsible for ensuring operational resilience in the face of environmental challenges. As a Business Continuity Planner, you'll use that experience to develop strategies for organizations to maintain essential functions during disruptions.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been a key player in anticipating and mitigating risks associated with environmental factors. In this role, you'll leverage your expertise to prepare for and respond to a wide range of emergencies, protecting communities and assets.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You've been responsible for the efficient allocation of resources in support of critical operations. You can use your problem-solving skills to analyze and improve supply chain operations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Postgraduate School Meteorology and Oceanography Program, Monterey, CA

600 training hours15 weeksUp to 18 semester hours recommended in atmospheric science, oceanography, and leadership.

Topics Covered

  • •Atmospheric Dynamics and Thermodynamics
  • •Oceanographic Processes
  • •Numerical Weather Prediction
  • •Remote Sensing
  • •Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • •Naval Oceanography Operations
  • •Leadership and Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)50% covered

Formal business analysis methodologies, stakeholder management, and documentation standards specific to civilian business environments. Requires study of the BABOK Guide.

Project Management Professional (PMP)60% covered

Formal project management methodologies as defined by PMI, including detailed knowledge areas, process groups, and professional conduct. Requires study of the PMBOK Guide.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCertified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Navy Oceanography ASW Reach-Back (NOAR)Oceanographic modeling and simulation software (e.g., HYCOM, ROMS) used for maritime risk assessment and route optimization
Integrated Meteorological Observing System (IMOS)Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) used at airports and meteorological stations.
Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS)Mobile meteorological data collection and analysis platforms.
Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction System (AREPS)Radio frequency propagation modeling software used in telecommunications and broadcasting.
COAMPS (Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System)High-resolution weather forecasting models (e.g., WRF) used by private weather companies and research institutions.
NAVO Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) Global and Regional ModelsNOAA's Global Forecast System (GFS) and High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) models.

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