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7188 Career Guide

Navy

7188: Surface Warfare Electronics Technician

Career transition guide for Navy Surface Warfare Electronics Technician (7188)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7188 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electronics Engineer

$110K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)Software skills related to design and simulation (e.g., CAD)Knowledge of current electronics manufacturing processes

Field Service Engineer

$95K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Vendor-specific equipment trainingStronger customer communication skillsProject Management skills

Technical Trainer

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional Design certificationE-learning development tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline)Adult learning principles knowledge

Network Engineer

$100K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or similar certificationsCloud networking knowledge (AWS, Azure)Cybersecurity fundamentals

Project Manager

$98K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)Risk management expertise

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7188 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a 7188, you developed intricate mental models of complex electronic systems to troubleshoot issues, predict potential failures, and optimize performance across diverse naval units.

This ability to create and utilize system models translates directly into understanding and improving complex processes, technologies, or organizational structures in the civilian world.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a high degree of situational awareness, constantly monitoring the status of electronic systems, understanding their impact on overall operations, and anticipating potential disruptions.

This heightened awareness allows you to quickly grasp the dynamics of any environment, predict potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You were skilled at maintaining system functionality and operational effectiveness even when equipment malfunctioned or resources were limited. You were adept at finding workaround solutions and adapting procedures under pressure.

This experience makes you exceptionally capable of problem-solving under stress and maintaining productivity when unexpected challenges arise.

After-Action Analysis

You participated in operational evaluations of systems installations and modifications and provided input to the research and development community, demonstrating your ability to analyze system performance and provide recommendations for improvements.

Your experience analyzing systems and processes to provide targeted recommendations translates to skills applicable to process improvement, operational planning, and risk mitigation.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Technical Writer

SOC 27-3042.00

You've been documenting, training, and explaining technical information to diverse audiences for years. Your experience with complex electronics translates perfectly to creating clear, concise, and accurate technical documentation for software, hardware, and other technologies. You already have a strong understanding of the systems, so you can focus on conveying the information effectively.

Business Systems Analyst

SOC 13-1111.00

You've been analyzing complex electronic systems, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing solutions to optimize performance. These skills directly transfer to analyzing business processes, identifying bottlenecks, and recommending solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. Your understanding of complex systems and problem-solving abilities will be invaluable.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 13-2099.00

You've been gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information related to complex systems. Your experience with electronics and communication systems gives you a unique perspective on identifying patterns and anomalies within large datasets, helping to make more informed decisions.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) Basic Division Officer Course, Newport, RI followed by various equipment-specific 'C' schools

600 training hours15 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in electronics technology and leadership.

Topics Covered

  • Electronic Systems Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  • Radar Systems Operation and Maintenance
  • Navigation Systems Operation and Maintenance
  • Communications Systems Operation and Maintenance
  • Network Administration and Security (Navy-specific)
  • Power Distribution and Management (Shipboard)
  • Supervisory Skills and Leadership

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Need to study consumer electronics repair, specific troubleshooting techniques, and current industry standards for non-military electronics.

CompTIA Network+60% covered

Focus on specific networking protocols and technologies used in modern civilian networks, including cloud networking and network security best practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)CCNP Enterprise (Cisco Certified Network Professional Enterprise)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/SPS-48 RadarLong-range air surveillance radar systems
AN/SPY-1 Aegis Radar SystemAdvanced phased array radar systems for air and missile defense
Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M)Maritime domain awareness and command & control software platforms
AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare SuiteElectronic countermeasure (ECM) and electronic support (ES) systems
Navigation Sensor System Interface (NAVSSI)Integrated bridge systems (IBS) for maritime navigation
Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC)Networked sensor fusion and data distribution systems
Shipboard Gridlock System (SGS)Precise relative positioning systems for ship formations

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