Security Consultant
$130KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CISM)
- — Project management skills
Live · Guide v1.01187 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/1187
NAVY · 1187Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1187.R.04
1187 · NAVY · OfficerSpecial Warfare Officer
Special Warfare Officer
Candidate.
Navy 1187 (Special Warfare Officer Candidate). 1,560 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $60K–$130K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours1,560DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 30 semester hours recommended in physical fitness, military science, and water survival
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1187 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 1187 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Rapid Prioritization→ Effective project planning and technical risk management
- 02Team Synchronization→ Leading and collaborating within high-performing technical teams
- 03Situational Awareness→ Understanding system architectures and anticipating potential technical issues
- 04Degraded-Mode Operations→ Incident response and problem-solving under production pressure
- 05Operating Maritime Communication System (PRC-148 MBITR)→ Understanding distributed systems and secure communication protocols
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+C/C++ fundamentals+RTOS basics+Python for robotics+ROS (Robot Operating System) fundamentals+Linux command line and Bash scripting+Cloud platform basics (AWS, GCP, or Azure)+Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban)+Software development lifecycle (SDLC) understanding
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.
Emergency Management Director
$95KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — FEMA certifications
- — Local government regulations
- — Grant writing
Corporate Security Manager
$115KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Risk assessment certification
- — OSHA safety standards
Wildland Firefighter
$60KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Wildland firefighting certifications (e.g., NWCG)
- — Specific equipment operation training
Private Investigator
$70KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — State-specific licensing
- — Legal knowledge
- — Surveillance technology proficiency
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1187 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
SEAL training and operations demand constant, split-second decisions about which threats to address first, often with limited information and under extreme pressure.
Transfers to
The ability to quickly assess the urgency and importance of competing tasks and delegate or address them accordingly translates to effective project and risk management.
Team Synchronization
SEALs operate in small teams where coordinated action is critical for mission success and survival. They must anticipate each other's moves and act as a cohesive unit.
Transfers to
This skill translates directly into leading and participating in high-performing teams, where clear communication, shared understanding, and mutual support are essential.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining constant awareness of the surrounding environment, potential threats, and the status of the team is paramount for SEALs. This includes understanding the bigger picture and how individual actions contribute to overall mission objectives.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to see the forest for the trees, to understand how individual actions impact overall strategic goals, and to anticipate potential problems before they arise.
Degraded-Mode Operations
SEALs are trained to operate effectively even when equipment fails, communication is lost, or plans go awry. They must be able to adapt and improvise to overcome unexpected challenges.
Transfers to
The ability to maintain composure and problem-solve under pressure, when resources are limited or things aren't going according to plan, is highly valuable in dynamic and unpredictable environments.
/ 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.
Crisis Management Consultant
SOC 11-9199.02You've been trained to stay calm and make critical decisions under pressure in the most chaotic environments. Your experience in planning for and responding to unforeseen events makes you uniquely qualified to advise organizations on how to navigate crises effectively.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics and Supply Chain Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've mastered the art of coordinating resources and personnel in complex, high-stakes situations. Your training in planning, executing, and adapting logistics strategies will allow you to optimize supply chains and ensure seamless operations for businesses.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've developed exceptional leadership and decision-making skills in demanding conditions. You can leverage your expertise to coordinate emergency response efforts, develop preparedness plans, and mitigate the impact of disasters on communities.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Naval Special Warfare Training Pipeline
Various Locations1,560hHours
78wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 30 semester hours recommended in physical fitness, military science, and water survival
Topics · 8
- Physical Conditioning (Swimming, Running, Calisthenics)
- Basic Underwater Demolition
- Combat Diving
- Land Warfare
- Small Unit Tactics
- Parachute Operations (Static Line and Freefall)
- Close Quarters Combat (CQC)
- Maritime Operations
Partial coverage · 2
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)70%
While SEAL training provides extensive medical and survival skills, WFR focuses specifically on wilderness medicine protocols, patient assessment in remote environments, and long-term care considerations.
- Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)60%
CPT requires knowledge of exercise science principles, specific training program design methodologies for diverse populations, and client consultation/assessment techniques beyond military fitness standards.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP)Adjacent
- Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/PVS-31A Enhanced Binocular Night Vision Device (EBNVD) | High-end commercial night vision binoculars with image intensification | Operations |
| Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) | Trijicon or similar brand tactical rifle scopes | Weapons |
| MK48 Mod 1 Advanced Special Purpose Rifle (ASPR) | Customized AR-15 platform rifles with high-end components | Operations |
| Maritime Communication System (PRC-148 MBITR) | Motorola or similar brand ruggedized two-way radios with encryption capabilities | Networking |
| Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) | Commercial underwater scooters or Sea Doo underwater propulsion systems | Operations |
| Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) | Zodiac or similar brand inflatable boats with outboard motors | Operations |
| Freefall Parachute System (MC-4) | Civilian skydiving equipment from companies like Performance Designs or Aerodyne | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1187 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.