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Live · Guide v1.06190 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 6190Career Guide · IT · Comms · VWC.CG.6190.R.04
6190 · NAVY · Officer

Communications Officer
(Submarine).

Navy 6190 (Communications Officer (Submarine)). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $82K–$125K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in telecommunications or electronics.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 6190 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 6190 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have07
  • 01
    Submarine Communications Systems→ Understanding of network architecture and communication protocols.
  • 02
    Secure Communications Protocols→ Knowledge of encryption, authentication, and secure data transmission methods.
  • 03
    Troubleshooting and Maintenance Procedures→ Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues in complex systems.
  • 04
    Situational Awareness→ Ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of complex, dynamic situations and make informed decisions based on real-time data.
  • 05
    Rapid Prioritization→ Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks, identify critical priorities, and make quick, well-reasoned decisions under pressure.
  • 06
    Team Synchronization→ Ability to lead, coordinate, and motivate teams to achieve common goals.
  • 07
    Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to following established protocols and maintaining compliance to ensure accuracy, consistency, and safety.
To learn10

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+Linux system administration basics+Cloud computing concepts (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Common security tools (e.g., Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit)+Network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)+Scripting (Python or Bash)+Containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes) basics+Cloud infrastructure as code (e.g., Terraform or CloudFormation)+Data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Excel)+Systems analysis and design methodologies
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.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Network Engineer

$95K
High match
High demand
P.02

Telecommunications Specialist

$82K
High match
Stable demand
P.03

IT Project Manager

$110K
Good match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • — PMP Certification
  • — Agile Methodologies
P.04

Information Security Analyst

$98K
Good match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • — Security+ Certification
  • — Cybersecurity Frameworks
P.05

Technical Sales Engineer

$125K
Moderate match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • — Sales Training
  • — Product Knowledge
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 6190 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Situational Awareness

As a Communications Officer on a submarine, you constantly monitored and assessed the operational environment, including potential threats, communication channels, and the status of various onboard systems to maintain mission effectiveness and safety.

Transfers to

This translates to the ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of complex, dynamic situations, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time data, a skill highly valued in fast-paced civilian environments.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

During critical operations or emergencies, you had to quickly assess competing demands, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources to ensure the most pressing issues were addressed first, maintaining order and control under pressure.

Transfers to

This means you can effectively manage multiple tasks, identify critical priorities, and make quick, well-reasoned decisions under pressure. This is a highly valued skill in any fast-paced professional environment.

S.03

Team Synchronization

You coordinated and communicated with various teams onboard the submarine, ensuring everyone was aligned and working together effectively to achieve mission objectives. This required clear communication, delegation, and the ability to motivate others.

Transfers to

This demonstrates your ability to lead, coordinate, and motivate teams to achieve common goals, a highly desirable skill in any collaborative work environment.

S.04

Procedural Compliance

Adherence to strict communication protocols and operational procedures was paramount to maintaining security and effectiveness. You ensured all actions conformed to established guidelines and regulations.

Transfers to

Your commitment to following established protocols and maintaining compliance ensures accuracy, consistency, and safety, qualities that are highly valued in regulated 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.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to maintain situational awareness under pressure and rapidly prioritize tasks in crisis situations. Your experience in maintaining communication channels and coordinating teams during critical operations directly translates to the skills needed to develop and implement emergency response plans.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

Your experience in coordinating communication systems onboard a submarine has given you the crucial experience of managing and optimizing complex systems. You're adept at maintaining communication channels and coordinating teams effectively, ensuring smooth operations and efficient resource utilization.

Adjacent · Match

Technical Writer

SOC 27-3042.00

You've been trained to understand complex systems and communicate them clearly. Translating complicated information into easy-to-understand documentation is a valuable skill, and your experience ensures you're able to articulate complex concepts in a concise and effective way.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC)

Naval Submarine School, Groton, CT
480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 6 semester hours in telecommunications or electronics.

Topics · 7
  • Submarine Communications Systems
  • Antenna Theory and Operation
  • Secure Communications Protocols
  • Troubleshooting and Maintenance Procedures
  • Navigation and Positioning Systems
  • Emergency Communication Procedures
  • Information Warfare Fundamentals
Partial coverage · 2
  • CompTIA Network+60%

    While your military training provided a strong foundation in communications, you'll need to study up on current networking technologies, cloud computing, and network security best practices covered in the Network+ exam objectives.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)40%

    Your experience likely includes project work, but formal project management methodologies (PMBOK), Agile, and specific documentation requirements will require study.

Recommended next · 04
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)Adjacent
  • AWS Certified Security - SpecialtyAdjacent
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Submarine Communication System (SATCOM)Satellite Communication Systems (e.g., Inmarsat, Iridium)Networking
Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS)Advanced Imaging and Surveillance Systems (e.g., FLIR, maritime surveillance platforms)Operations
AN/WSC-3 Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communication SetCommercial UHF radio systems and satellite communication terminalsNetworking
Submarine Local Area Network (SubLAN)Secure Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure with cybersecurity protocolsNetworking
Joint Tactical Terminal/Receive Only (JTT/RO)Real-time data dissemination systems (e.g., financial data feeds, emergency broadcast systems)Operations
NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface)Integrated bridge systems (IBS) for maritime navigationSignals
/ Translator · Live

Translate 6190 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.

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