Project Manager
$95KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — PMP Certification
- — Agile methodologies
Live · Guide v1.01160 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 1160Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1160.R.04
1160 · NAVY · OfficerSurface Warfare Officer
Surface Warfare Officer
(Trainee).
Navy 1160 (Surface Warfare Officer (Trainee)). 2,400 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $78K–$100K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours2,400DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 15 semester hours in Naval Science and Leadership
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1160 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 1160 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Shipboard Engineering Systems→ Understanding complex electromechanical and control systems
- 02Naval Weapons Systems→ Analyzing integrated command and control software
- 03Rapid Prioritization→ Triage and incident response under pressure
- 04System Modeling→ Architectural analysis and troubleshooting of complex systems
- 05Team Synchronization→ Cross-functional project coordination and communication
- 06Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M)→ Working with large-scale monitoring and data visualization platforms
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+C/C++ programming fundamentals+Real-time Operating System (RTOS) basics+Linux command line and scripting (Bash/Python)+Cloud platform fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Software systems literacy (interpreting architecture diagrams, basic code review)+Risk and dependency management methodologies+SQL for data querying and analysis+Requirements gathering and process mapping techniques
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Operations Manager
$90KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Lean Six Sigma
- — Supply chain management
Logistics Manager
$85KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — APICS Certification
- — Supply chain optimization software
Plant Supervisor
$78KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA Safety Standards
- — Manufacturing Process Knowledge
Management Consultant
$100KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — MBA or related Master's degree
- — Business analysis
- — Client relationship management
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1160 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
As a Surface Warfare Officer, you constantly juggle competing demands, from equipment maintenance to personnel issues to mission objectives, demanding on-the-spot decisions about what needs attention first.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources effectively under pressure, a skill highly valued in dynamic civilian environments.
System Modeling
You're responsible for understanding how various shipboard systems interact and impact each other, enabling you to anticipate potential problems and optimize performance.
Transfers to
This demonstrates the ability to understand and manage complex systems, predict outcomes based on various inputs, and troubleshoot issues, which is crucial in many technical and analytical roles.
Team Synchronization
Leading a team of sailors, you ensure everyone is working together seamlessly towards common goals, coordinating actions, and fostering a cohesive unit.
Transfers to
This shows your ability to build and lead high-performing teams, delegate effectively, and maintain clear communication to achieve shared objectives, making you a valuable asset in any organization.
Situational Awareness
You must constantly monitor your surroundings, anticipate potential threats, and maintain a clear understanding of the overall operational environment to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your team and the ship.
Transfers to
This showcases your ability to quickly assess dynamic environments, identify potential risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions under pressure, skills highly sought after in fast-paced industries.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Logistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been managing complex systems and prioritizing resources on a ship – this analytical and problem-solving capability directly translates to optimizing supply chains and logistics operations for companies.
Adjacent · MatchProject Manager
SOC 11-9151.00You've been leading teams and coordinating complex operations; that experience perfectly prepares you to manage projects, ensuring they stay on track, within budget, and meet objectives. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and solve problems quickly is invaluable.
Adjacent · MatchManagement Consultant
SOC 13-1111.00You've been analyzing systems and optimizing performance; your ability to quickly understand complex organizational structures and identify areas for improvement makes you a strong candidate for helping businesses improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 29-9091.00You've been trained to maintain situational awareness and respond effectively in high-pressure situations; your experience with risk assessment, planning, and coordination makes you well-suited to prepare for and respond to emergencies, protecting communities and organizations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) Basic Division Officer Course
Newport, RI; At-Sea Shipboard Training2,400hHours
60wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 15 semester hours in Naval Science and Leadership
Topics · 8
- Shipboard Engineering Systems
- Naval Weapons Systems
- Damage Control and Firefighting
- Navigation and Piloting
- Ship Handling and Seamanship
- Leadership and Team Management
- Naval Operations and Tactics
- Maritime Law and Security
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Formal project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall), business analysis, cost management, stakeholder management, and risk management. This role provides leadership experience, but lacks formal project management training.
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry60%
Specific OSHA regulations not covered in shipboard safety training, such as those relating to specific industries beyond general safety.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Lean Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Aegis Combat System | Integrated defense systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for defense | Operations |
| Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) | Real-time data processing and display systems, SCADA systems | Operations |
| Shipboard Air Traffic Radar (SATR) | Commercial air traffic control radar systems | Signals |
| Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M) | Maritime domain awareness software, vessel tracking systems | Networking |
| AN/SPS-48 Radar | Long-range air surveillance radar systems | Signals |
| Mk 46 Lightweight Torpedo | Advanced underwater acoustic sensing and targeting systems | Operations |
| Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) | Close-range missile defense systems | Weapons |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1160 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.