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PN Career Guide

Navy

PN: Personnel Specialist

Career transition guide for Navy Personnel Specialist (PN)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Human Resources Assistant

$45K
High matchStable demand

Office Manager

$62K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project ManagementBudgetingSupervisory Experience

Administrative Services Manager

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's DegreeProject Management Professional (PMP) CertificationAdvanced Budgeting

Recruiter

$60K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)Recruiting Software ProficiencySales Skills

Training and Development Specialist

$65K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional DesignE-learning DevelopmentAdult Learning Principles

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

Procedural Compliance

Following strict guidelines for personnel record maintenance and document transmittal is crucial. Accuracy and adherence to regulations are paramount in every task, from filing to data entry.

Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to following established protocols ensures accuracy and efficiency, essential for regulated industries.

Rapid Prioritization

Managing multiple personnel administration tasks, from answering queries to preparing reports, requires constant prioritization to meet deadlines and address urgent needs effectively.

Your ability to quickly assess situations and prioritize tasks allows you to effectively manage competing demands and ensure timely completion of critical work, a valuable asset in fast-paced environments.

Team Synchronization

Even in administrative roles, coordinating with other team members to ensure smooth information flow and efficient processing of personnel-related actions is essential for overall unit readiness.

You excel at collaborating and coordinating with others, ensuring seamless teamwork and efficient project completion. Your ability to work effectively within a team contributes to overall organizational success.

Situational Awareness

Understanding the context of personnel actions and how they impact the larger unit mission requires developing situational awareness to anticipate needs and proactively address potential issues.

Your ability to perceive and understand the nuances of your environment, anticipate potential problems, and proactively respond makes you an invaluable asset in dynamic and complex situations.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been trained to meticulously follow regulations and maintain accurate records. This makes you an ideal candidate to ensure companies adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.

Project Coordinator

SOC 13-1075.00

You've been responsible for managing documents, coordinating personnel actions, and prioritizing tasks. This translates perfectly to the organizational and coordination skills needed to manage projects effectively.

Human Resources Assistant

SOC 43-4161.00

You've been directly involved in managing personnel records and assisting with HR-related tasks. You already possess a foundational understanding of HR processes and employee data management.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Personnel Specialist 'A' School, Naval Station Meridian, MS

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Human Resource Management

Topics Covered

  • Naval Correspondence
  • Personnel Records Management
  • Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) System
  • Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
  • Navy Pay and Compensation
  • Leave and Liberty Policy
  • Travel Claims Processing
  • Customer Service

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)70% covered

Requires studying advanced administrative concepts, technology, and organizational management beyond basic enlisted administration.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)60% covered

Requires studying all the Microsoft Office suite programs and passing the certification exam for the desired programs.

Recommended Next Certifications

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS)Human Resources Information System (HRIS) such as Workday or Oracle HCM
Electronic Service Record (ESR)Digital employee records management system
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)Identity management and verification platforms
Navy Correspondence ManualBusiness writing style guides and templates
Microsoft Office Suite (Common Access Card Enabled)Standard Microsoft Office Suite
Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)Secure document management system

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