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WEPS Career Guide

Coast Guard

WEPS: Weapons Officer

Career transition guide for Coast Guard Weapons Officer (WEPS)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Ordnance Technician

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications related to civilian ordnance (if applicable)Familiarity with civilian safety regulations

Maintenance Manager

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationExperience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems)

Logistics Manager

$90K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certification (e.g., CSCP)Experience with specific logistics software (e.g., SAP, Oracle)

Training and Development Manager

$80K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design certificationExperience with e-learning platformsExcellent communication and presentation skills

Compliance Officer

$75K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of relevant industry regulationsCertification in compliance (e.g., Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional - CCEP)Auditing skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

Resource Optimization

As a WEPS warrant officer, you managed ammunition, ordnance equipment, and repair parts, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of resources to maintain operational readiness.

This translates to skills in budgeting, inventory management, and supply chain optimization, all critical for maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste in various business settings.

Procedural Compliance

You were responsible for enforcing strict adherence to established protocols for handling, storing, and maintaining ordnance equipment and ammunition, ensuring safety and accountability.

This experience demonstrates your ability to meticulously follow regulations and standard operating procedures, a highly valued trait in compliance-heavy industries.

Team Synchronization

Your role involved coordinating diverse teams during assembly, maintenance, and training activities, ensuring seamless collaboration to achieve mission objectives.

This reflects your proficiency in fostering teamwork, coordinating tasks, and resolving conflicts to drive collective success, a valuable asset in project management and leadership roles.

System Modeling

As a WEPS officer, you understand the complex systems involved in gunnery and ordnance, allowing you to troubleshoot and improve their performance.

This translates to an ability to analyze and understand complex systems, predict outcomes, and optimize performance, skills valued in engineering and technical fields.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been rigorously enforcing ordnance protocols and ensuring adherence to safety regulations. Now, you can transfer that discipline to ensure companies comply with industry regulations, preventing legal issues and maintaining ethical standards. Your meticulous nature and attention to detail make you an ideal candidate.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been managing ammunition, ordnance, and personnel. Now, you can apply your expertise to oversee supply chain operations, manage inventory, and optimize distribution networks for businesses. Your skills in resource optimization and coordination will make you a highly effective logistics manager.

Technical Trainer

SOC 25-9041.00

You've been developing and supervising training programs in the military. Now, you can leverage your expertise to create and deliver technical training programs for businesses, ensuring employees have the skills and knowledge to succeed. Your experience in instructional design and leadership makes you a natural fit for this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Weapons Officer School, Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in ordnance management and leadership.

Topics Covered

  • Ordnance Equipment Maintenance and Repair
  • Ammunition Handling and Stowage Procedures
  • Inventory Management and Accounting
  • Gunnery Systems Operation
  • Training Program Development
  • Personnel Management and Leadership
  • Ordnance Safety Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)60% covered

Requires study of reliability engineering principles, preventative maintenance optimization, and financial analysis of maintenance programs.

Project Management Professional (PMP)50% covered

Requires study of formal project management methodologies (PMBOK), risk management, and stakeholder communication techniques.

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)40% covered

Requires study of quality control methodologies, statistical process control, and quality auditing techniques.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB)Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety Training

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
MK 75 Naval Gun SystemAutomated naval artillery control systems
MK 110 Naval Gun SystemHigh-caliber rapid-fire weapon systems with computerized targeting
Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)Automated point defense systems for infrastructure protection
Naval Ordnance Management System (NOMS)Inventory management software for weapons and ammunition
Ammunition Computer Aided Management System (ACAMS)Serialized inventory and lifecycle tracking systems
Small Arms Repair Shop (SARS) equipmentCommercial gunsmithing and firearms maintenance tools and equipment
Explosive Handling EquipmentRobotics and automated systems for handling hazardous materials

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