New Cohort Starts:

Donate

7162 Career Guide

Navy

7162: Surface Ordnance Maintenance Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Surface Ordnance Maintenance Officer (7162)

Translate Your 7162 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7162 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Ordnance Safety Manager

$95K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

CSP or similar safety certificationKnowledge of OSHA regulations

Aerospace Engineer

$120K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD software proficiency

Logistics Manager

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certificationAdvanced data analysis

Technical Trainer

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design certificationExcellent communication skills

Quality Control Specialist

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Six Sigma certificationQuality auditing experience

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7162 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a Surface Ordnance Officer, you analyze complex weapons systems, understand their interdependencies, and predict their behavior under various conditions to ensure optimal performance and safety.

This ability to create and manipulate system models translates directly into roles where you can analyze and improve complex processes or designs.

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely assess urgent situations involving weapons systems, prioritize tasks based on safety protocols, operational readiness, and resource availability, making critical decisions under pressure.

Your experience in quickly assessing and prioritizing tasks in high-stakes environments is invaluable in fast-paced civilian sectors that require decisive leadership.

Procedural Compliance

Your work demands strict adherence to safety regulations, maintenance procedures, and operational protocols to guarantee the safe and effective handling, storage, and deployment of ordnance.

Your meticulous approach to following procedures and maintaining high standards of compliance is highly sought after in industries where precision and safety are paramount.

Resource Optimization

You've managed resources effectively, coordinating logistics, personnel, and equipment to maintain ordnance readiness while adhering to budget constraints.

Your talent for optimizing resources and streamlining processes directly translates to roles where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are critical.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a high level of situational awareness regarding the status of weapons systems, potential threats, and environmental conditions to make informed decisions and mitigate risks.

Your ability to assess dynamic environments and anticipate potential problems is highly valuable in any role that requires strategic thinking and proactive problem-solving.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-2001

You've been immersed in a world of stringent safety protocols and procedural adherence. As a Compliance Officer, you'll leverage your expertise to ensure companies adhere to regulations, manage risk, and maintain operational integrity. Your meticulous attention to detail and understanding of complex systems will make you an invaluable asset.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071

You've been coordinating logistics, personnel, and equipment for weapons systems, you are adept at optimizing resources and streamlining processes. As a Logistics Manager, you'll use these skills to oversee supply chain operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Your background in resource optimization will set you apart.

Risk Manager

SOC 11-9199

You've been constantly assessing potential threats and mitigating risks. As a Risk Manager, you'll apply your analytical skills and situational awareness to identify, evaluate, and manage risks across various business functions. Your experience in high-stakes environments will give you a unique perspective.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199

You've been responsible for maintaining operational readiness. As a Business Continuity Planner, you'll develop and implement strategies to ensure an organization can continue operating during disruptions. Your ability to analyze systems and prioritize actions will be essential in this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Surface Ordnance Officer Basic Course (SOOBC), Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in ordnance maintenance and management.

Topics Covered

  • Naval Gun Systems Maintenance
  • Missile Systems Maintenance
  • Ordnance Handling and Safety Procedures
  • Explosives Safety
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management for Ordnance
  • Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
  • Surface-to-Surface Missile Systems
  • Ordnance Quality Assurance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)60% covered

Requires study of quality management systems (ISO 9000), statistical process control, and quality auditing techniques which may not be emphasized in military training.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

While military experience provides project management skills, the PMP requires formal training in PMBOK principles, including all knowledge areas, process groups, and professional ethics, which need to be studied.

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)50% covered

Requires additional knowledge in preventative/predictive maintenance strategies, condition monitoring, root cause analysis, and reliability engineering principles beyond basic maintenance procedures.

Recommended Next Certifications

Lean Six Sigma Green BeltCertified Quality Manager (CQM)Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Mk 45 5-inch Gun SystemLarge caliber automated naval gun systems
Vertical Launching System (VLS)Automated missile launch systems for defense or space applications
Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS)Long-range cruise missile systems
Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)Automated anti-air defense systems
Aegis Combat SystemIntegrated defense and weapon control systems
Naval Ordnance Management Policy (NOMP)Inventory management systems for hazardous materials
Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification ProgramHAZWOPER certification programs

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 7162 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free