Ship Captain
$110KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.07118 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7118Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.7118.R.04
7118 · NAVY · WarrantSurface Warfare Officer (Limited
Surface Warfare Officer (Limited
Duty).
Navy 7118 (Surface Warfare Officer (Limited Duty)). 240 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$110K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours240DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Naval Science
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7118 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 7118 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Situational Awareness→ Ability to quickly assess complex environments and make informed decisions under pressure.
- 02Rapid Prioritization→ Effectively evaluate competing demands and allocate resources in a fast-paced environment.
- 03Team Synchronization→ Lead, motivate, and coordinate teams to achieve common goals.
- 04Degraded-Mode Operations→ Find creative solutions and maintain productivity when resources are scarce.
- 05Procedural Compliance→ Commitment to following established procedures and maintaining accurate records.
- 06Naval Message Handling System (NMHS)→ Experience with secure email and messaging platforms.
To learn04
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Security fundamentals (cryptography, network security)+Agile project management methodologies+SQL and data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)
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 Surveyor
$85KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific certifications depending on the type of surveys (e.g., hull, machinery)
- — Commercial awareness
Maritime Logistics Manager
$95KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management software proficiency
- — Logistics certifications (e.g., Certified Supply Chain Professional - CSCP)
Instructor - Maritime Academy
$75KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Master's degree in a related field (preferred)
- — Teaching certifications
Port Operations Manager
$100KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — Knowledge of port-specific regulations
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7118 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a Navigation Officer, you constantly maintained a 360-degree understanding of your ship's position, potential hazards, and the surrounding environment, making critical decisions based on real-time information.
Transfers to
This translates to the ability to assess complex environments quickly, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions under pressure in any dynamic situation.
Rapid Prioritization
You routinely assessed competing demands, from course corrections to equipment malfunctions, prioritizing actions to ensure the safety and efficiency of the vessel and crew.
Transfers to
This skill allows you to quickly evaluate competing demands, identify the most critical tasks, and allocate resources effectively to meet deadlines and achieve objectives in a fast-paced civilian work environment.
Team Synchronization
You directed and coordinated the activities of deck and navigation personnel, ensuring seamless teamwork and effective communication to execute complex maneuvers and achieve mission objectives.
Transfers to
This translates directly to the ability to lead, motivate, and coordinate teams to achieve common goals, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring everyone is working in sync.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Naval officers are trained to maintain operational effectiveness even when systems fail or resources are limited, requiring innovative problem-solving and adaptability.
Transfers to
This adaptability allows you to find creative solutions, maintain productivity, and keep projects on track even when unexpected challenges arise or resources are scarce.
Procedural Compliance
As a Navigation Officer, you strictly adhered to established protocols and regulations to ensure safe and efficient operations, maintaining meticulous records and following established procedures.
Transfers to
Your commitment to following established procedures, maintaining accurate records, and upholding standards makes you a valuable asset in regulated industries. This also shows a dedication to efficiency and accuracy.
/ 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.
Air Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2011.00You've been managing complex movements within a dynamic environment, making quick decisions based on real-time information and coordinating with a team to ensure safety. These are all vital skills as an Air Traffic Controller.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been responsible for the safe and efficient movement of personnel and resources. Your skills in planning, prioritizing, and coordinating complex operations translate directly to success in logistics.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 29-9099.01You've been trained to handle crises, assess risks, and coordinate responses in high-pressure situations. This makes you an ideal candidate for helping communities prepare for and recover from emergencies.
Adjacent · MatchMarine Surveyor
SOC 19-3099.00Your expertise in navigation, seamanship, and vessel operations can be directly applied to assessing the condition, safety, and compliance of marine vessels. Your knowledge of maritime regulations and best practices makes you a valuable asset in this field.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Surface Warfare Officer (LDO/CWO) School
Naval Station Newport240hHours
6wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in Naval Science
Topics · 6
- Shiphandling and Navigation
- Naval Warfare Fundamentals
- Damage Control and Engineering Systems
- Leadership and Management
- Naval Regulations and Procedures
- Maritime Security Operations
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)60%
Requires study of supply chain management principles, inventory control, and logistics-specific software applications not explicitly covered in naval deck and navigation training.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)40%
Requires focused study on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), including formal project management methodologies, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Port Executive (CPE)Adjacent
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Adjacent
- Master Mariner LicenseAdjacent
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AN/SPS-73(V) Surface Search Radar | Marine radar systems (e.g., Furuno, Raymarine) used for collision avoidance and navigation | Signals |
| Voyage Management System (VMS) | Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) software such as Transas or similar maritime navigation software | Operations |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) Military Grade Receivers (e.g., DAGR) | High-precision GPS receivers and surveying equipment | Operations |
| AN/WSN-7 Ring Laser Gyro Navigator | Fiber optic gyro or similar inertial navigation systems used in commercial aviation and maritime applications | Operations |
| Integrated Bridge System (IBS) | Integrated marine navigation systems | Operations |
| Naval Message Handling System (NMHS) | Secure email and messaging platforms | Operations |
| Automated Identification System (AIS) | Commercial AIS transponders and monitoring systems | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7118 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.