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NAVY · 7148Career Guide · Maintenance · VWC.CG.7148.R.04

7148 · NAVY · Warrant

Surface Repair
Technician.

Navy 7148 (Surface Repair Technician). 840 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$57K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours840DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 18 semester hours in welding technology and industrial maintenance.

Tech roles4mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/5direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 7148 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 7148 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have07

01
Procedural Compliance→ Following established protocols in software development and IT operations.
02
Resource Optimization→ Efficiently managing cloud resources and infrastructure costs.
03
Degraded-Mode Operations→ Troubleshooting and resolving system failures or performance issues under pressure.
04
Situational Awareness→ Monitoring system performance and identifying potential issues before they escalate.
05
Naval Shipboard Planned Maintenance System (PMS)→ Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP Plant Maintenance
06
Advanced Damage Control System (ADCS)→ Industrial SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for monitoring and control
07
3-M System (Maintenance Material Management)→ Inventory management and tracking systems (e.g., Fishbowl Inventory, NetSuite Inventory Management)

To learn09

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

+Linux fundamentals+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Scripting with Python or Bash+Networking Fundamentals+Windows and Linux Server Administration+Basic SQL+Data visualization with Tableau or PowerBI+IT Support Ticketing Systems (e.g., ServiceNow)+Remote Desktop Support Tools

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

Maintenance Technician

$48K

High match

High demand

P.02

Welder

$52K

Good match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— Specific welding certifications (e.g., AWS)
— Proficiency in specific welding techniques (e.g., TIG, MIG)

P.03

Machinist

$55K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— CAD/CAM software proficiency
— CNC machine operation

P.04

Quality Control Inspector

$45K

Moderate match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Quality control certifications (e.g., ASQ)
— Knowledge of quality control standards (e.g., ISO 9001)

P.05

Shipfitter

$57K

High match

Growing demand

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 7148 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Procedural Compliance

Surface Repair Technicians adhere strictly to detailed maintenance manuals and safety protocols when repairing shipboard systems. They follow precise, step-by-step instructions to ensure equipment is restored to operational status without compromising safety or performance standards.

Transfers to

This ability to meticulously follow protocols translates into civilian roles requiring strict adherence to regulations, quality standards, or safety procedures. You can bring your disciplined approach to ensure consistent and reliable outcomes.

S.02

Resource Optimization

Surface Repair Technicians often work with limited resources and tight deadlines. They must efficiently manage their time, tools, and materials to complete repairs effectively and minimize downtime, especially in deployed environments.

Transfers to

This skill is valuable in any environment where efficiency is critical. You understand how to get the most out of limited resources, a highly sought-after skill in many industries.

S.03

Degraded-Mode Operations

Surface Repair Technicians are trained to troubleshoot and repair systems even when they are partially damaged or operating in less-than-ideal conditions. They can find workarounds and implement temporary solutions to maintain operational readiness.

Transfers to

Your experience in maintaining functionality under duress directly translates to handling crises and unexpected challenges in civilian settings. You excel at finding innovative solutions when things don't go as planned.

S.04

Situational Awareness

Surface Repair Technicians maintain an acute awareness of their surroundings, including potential hazards, ongoing operations, and the status of interconnected systems. This awareness ensures they can perform their duties safely and effectively without disrupting other activities.

Transfers to

Your developed sense of spatial awareness is a key skill for management positions and technical field work. You can easily integrate new and existing information for the best results.

/ 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.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been trained to follow strict procedures and guidelines to a tee. Your background in maintaining complex systems to specific standards makes you an ideal candidate for ensuring a company adheres to industry regulations and internal policies.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071

You've been honing your skills in resource management and ensuring operational readiness, even under pressure. This background makes you a great fit for coordinating the flow of goods, information, and resources in a timely and efficient manner.

Adjacent · Match

Quality Control Inspector

SOC 51-9061

You've been instilled with a commitment to quality and precision. Your experience in inspecting and repairing shipboard systems translates perfectly to ensuring products or services meet established standards and specifications in a civilian setting.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy