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7117 Career Guide

Navy

7117: Deck and Navigation Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Deck and Navigation Officer (7117)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7117 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Ship Captain

$130K
High matchStable demand

Marine Surveyor

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial diving certification (potentially)Specific vessel type certifications

Port Operations Manager

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management knowledgeLogistics software proficiency

Maritime Academy Instructor

$78K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Teaching certificationCurriculum development experience

Naval Architect

$90K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Naval Architecture DegreeCAD software proficiency

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7117 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Navigation Officer, you constantly maintained a 360-degree understanding of your ship's position, potential hazards, and the surrounding environment, adapting plans on the fly.

This translates to an innate ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions under pressure in dynamic environments.

Rapid Prioritization

In emergencies or during critical maneuvers, you were responsible for quickly assessing competing demands and prioritizing actions to ensure the safety of the ship and crew.

This means you excel at triaging urgent matters, allocating resources efficiently, and maintaining composure when facing multiple high-pressure tasks simultaneously.

Team Synchronization

You coordinated the activities of deck and navigation personnel, ensuring seamless execution of complex maneuvers and navigational tasks.

This demonstrates your capability to foster collaboration, communicate effectively, and synchronize efforts across diverse teams to achieve common goals.

System Modeling

You developed a deep understanding of the ship's operational systems and how they interacted, enabling you to anticipate potential problems and optimize performance.

This skill reflects your ability to analyze and understand complex systems, identify key variables, and predict outcomes based on different inputs or scenarios.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been orchestrating complex operations involving personnel, equipment, and precise timing in a constantly changing environment. This makes you exceptionally well-suited to manage the flow of goods, resources, and information in a fast-paced logistics setting. Your ability to anticipate potential disruptions and adapt plans swiftly will be a major asset.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to calmly assess crises, develop response plans, and coordinate teams in high-stakes environments. You can leverage your experience in navigation to understand the movement of people and resources during emergency evacuations, as well as your experience in operating under pressure to ensure the safety of others during times of crisis. This translates perfectly to emergency management, where clear thinking and decisive action are paramount.

Air Traffic Controller

SOC 53-2021.00

You've been maintaining situational awareness, prioritizing tasks, and making quick decisions in a dynamic, high-pressure environment. Your proven ability to remain calm under pressure, maintain focus, and coordinate with other team members will make you a highly effective air traffic controller.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), Newport, RI

240 training hours6 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in Maritime Studies

Topics Covered

  • Navigation and Piloting
  • Shiphandling and Maneuvering
  • Watchstanding Procedures
  • Maritime Law
  • Damage Control
  • Seamanship
  • Naval Leadership

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Survey Technician (CST)60% covered

Requires additional knowledge in land surveying principles, data collection and processing techniques, and legal aspects of boundary surveying. Study specific CST exam topics.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Needs formal training in project management methodologies (PMBOK), risk management, and stakeholder communication. Requires documented project management experience.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Port Executive (CPE)Certified Marine Terminal Operator (CMTO)Master Mariner License (depending on experience and sea time)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Integrated Bridge System (IBS)Integrated marine navigation systems (e.g., Transas, Kongsberg)
Voyage Management System (VMS)Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) software (e.g., NaviSailor, Rose Point ECS)
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)Commercial maritime communication systems (e.g., satellite communication systems from companies like Inmarsat and Iridium)
AN/SPS-73 Surface Search RadarCommercial marine radar systems (e.g., Furuno, Raymarine)
Precise Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR)High-precision GPS receivers and navigation apps for maritime use
Stabilized Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)Radio direction finders used in commercial shipping and aviation for navigation and search/rescue
NAVSSI - Navigation Sensor System InterfaceNMEA data multiplexers and distribution systems used in recreational and commercial marine applications

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