Ship Captain, Pilot, or Mate
$95KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.06110 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 6110Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.6110.R.04
6110 · NAVY · OfficerDeck and Navigation
Deck and Navigation
Officer.
Navy 6110 (Deck and Navigation Officer). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $80K–$140K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in Maritime Studies
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 6110 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 6110 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Situational Awareness→ Understanding complex systems and anticipating potential problems.
- 02Rapid Prioritization→ Identifying critical tasks and allocating resources effectively.
- 03Team Synchronization→ Building cohesive teams and coordinating activities towards shared objectives.
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Implementing and maintaining rigorous standards and protocols.
- 05Naval Command and Control Procedures→ Managing complex projects
- 06Electronic navigation systems (ECDIS, GPS)→ Software-driven systems.
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum)+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL and database management+Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)+Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)+Operating systems (Linux/Windows) administration+Systems analysis and design+Technical writing and documentation
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.
Marine Engineering Manager
$140KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP)
- — Formal engineering management training
Port Operations Manager
$110KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Logistics experience
- — Supply chain management knowledge
Maritime Academy Instructor
$80KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Master's Degree
- — Teaching certification
Emergency Management Director
$85KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
- — HAZMAT training
- — Grant writing
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 6110 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a 6110 officer, you constantly maintain awareness of your ship's position, surrounding vessels, weather conditions, and potential hazards to ensure safe navigation and mission success.
Transfers to
This translates to an exceptional ability to perceive and understand complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on incomplete information in dynamic situations.
Rapid Prioritization
In a fast-paced environment, you're responsible for quickly assessing and prioritizing tasks, whether it's responding to a navigational emergency, coordinating deck operations, or managing personnel issues, all while underway.
Transfers to
You excel at swiftly identifying the most critical tasks amidst competing demands, allocating resources effectively, and maintaining focus under pressure – a highly valued skill in many civilian sectors.
Team Synchronization
You lead and coordinate deck and navigation teams to execute complex maneuvers, conduct maintenance, and respond to emergencies. Your success depends on the seamless integration of individual efforts.
Transfers to
You possess a proven ability to build cohesive teams, foster clear communication, and coordinate diverse activities towards shared objectives. Your experience translates directly into effective leadership and project management.
Procedural Compliance
Adherence to strict navigational rules, safety regulations, and operational procedures is paramount. Your experience ensures you can consistently follow and enforce complex protocols.
Transfers to
You have a deep understanding of the importance of compliance and a demonstrated ability to implement and maintain rigorous standards. This makes you well-suited for roles requiring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to established protocols.
/ 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 Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been orchestrating complex movements of personnel and equipment on a ship, anticipating potential problems, and ensuring everything arrives where it needs to be, on time. A Logistics Manager does the same, but for a supply chain or distribution network. Your skills in resource management, planning, and problem-solving are directly transferable.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 29-9099.00You've been trained to handle emergencies at sea, assessing risks, developing contingency plans, and coordinating responses. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll use those same skills to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, security threats, or other emergencies in a community or organization.
Adjacent · MatchMarine Surveyor
SOC 19-3099.00You've been intimately familiar with ships and their systems, including navigation, safety, and regulatory compliance. As a Marine Surveyor, you'll use that knowledge to inspect vessels, assess their condition, and ensure they meet safety standards. Your attention to detail and expertise in maritime operations will make you a valuable asset.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS)
Newport, RI480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in Maritime Studies
Topics · 8
- Shiphandling and maneuvering
- Navigation techniques and equipment
- Maritime law and regulations
- Bridge resource management
- Seamanship skills (line handling, anchoring)
- Electronic navigation systems (ECDIS, GPS)
- Naval command and control procedures
- Damage control and emergency procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)40%
Focus on advanced supply chain management principles, contract law, and global sourcing strategies beyond naval-specific applications.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)60%
Study the five project management process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing) and the ten knowledge areas as defined by PMI's PMBOK guide. Focus on standardized project management terminology and methodologies.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Port Executive (CPE)Adjacent
- Certified Marine Port Executive (CMPE)Adjacent
- Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Bridge System (IBS) | Integrated marine navigation systems (e.g., Transas, Raymarine) used on commercial vessels | Operations |
| Voyage Management System (VMS) | Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and voyage planning software | Operations |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) | Commercial maritime communication systems, including satellite communication and emergency beacons | Operations |
| AN/SPS-73 Surface Search Radar | Commercial marine radar systems (e.g., Furuno, Simrad) for collision avoidance and navigation | Signals |
| Gyrocompass and Automatic Steering Systems | Commercial autopilot systems and advanced marine compass technologies | Operations |
| Navy Tactical Command Support System (NTCSS) | Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems tailored for maritime operations | Networking |
| Shipboard Air Traffic Radar Control (SATRC) | Air traffic control radar and systems | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 6110 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.