Network Engineer
$95KHigh match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- — Project management methodologies
Live · Guide v1.07298 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7298Career Guide · IT · Comms · VWC.CG.7298.R.04
7298 · NAVY · WarrantSubmarine Communication
Submarine Communication
Technician.
Navy 7298 (Submarine Communication Technician). 640 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$105K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours640DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics and communications
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7298 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 7298 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have12
- 01Submarine Communications Systems→ Networking Fundamentals
- 02Antenna Theory and Operation→ Wireless Communication Principles
- 03HF/UHF/VLF Radio Communications→ Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering
- 04Satellite Communication Systems (SATCOM)→ Satellite Networking
- 05Cryptographic Equipment Operation and Maintenance→ Cryptography and Encryption Technologies
- 06Network Security Protocols→ Network Security
- 07Troubleshooting and Repair of Communication Equipment→ Hardware Troubleshooting
- 08Emergency Communication Procedures→ Disaster Recovery Planning
- 09System Modeling→ Systems Thinking
- 10Degraded-Mode Operations→ Resilience Engineering
- 11Situational Awareness→ Risk Assessment
- 12Procedural Compliance→ Regulatory Compliance
To learn09
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux system administration+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Scripting languages (Python, Bash)+Network monitoring tools (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump)+Configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, or Puppet)+Virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V)+Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes basics)+Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
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.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer
$68KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia)
- — Fiber optic splicing
Information Security Analyst
$105KGood match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- — CompTIA Security+
- — Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001)
Electronics Technician
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Advanced troubleshooting of commercial electronics
- — Specific knowledge of industrial control systems
Technical Writer
$78KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- — Ability to translate complex technical information into easily understandable language
- — Experience with technical writing software (e.g., MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker)
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7298 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
Submarine Communication Technicians develop a deep understanding of complex communication systems, troubleshooting them by mentally modeling the flow of information and potential points of failure.
Transfers to
This ability to visualize and understand intricate systems translates directly to designing, analyzing, and improving complex processes in various industries.
Degraded-Mode Operations
In the event of equipment failure or damage, Submarine Communication Technicians must quickly adapt and find alternative communication methods to maintain operational effectiveness under pressure.
Transfers to
This skill is invaluable in disaster recovery, emergency management, and any situation where you must maintain functionality with limited resources.
Situational Awareness
Submarine Communication Technicians constantly monitor communication channels and be aware of the overall operational context to ensure effective and secure information transmission.
Transfers to
Your keen awareness of surroundings and potential risks makes you an excellent candidate for roles requiring vigilance and proactive problem-solving.
Procedural Compliance
Submarine Communication Technicians follow strict communication protocols and security procedures to prevent information leaks and ensure operational security.
Transfers to
Your understanding of the importance of regulatory frameworks and commitment to adherence ensures standardization and reliability in any process.
/ 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.
Network Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212You've been trained to understand secure communication protocols and have hands-on experience troubleshooting network issues. You're already equipped to protect sensitive data and maintain network integrity, detecting and preventing intrusions.
Adjacent · MatchTechnical Writer
SOC 27-3042You've mastered the art of communicating complex technical information clearly and concisely, crucial for writing technical manuals, reports, and documentation. Your ability to explain intricate systems makes you ideal for creating user-friendly guides.
Adjacent · MatchIntelligence Analyst
SOC 13-2011You have a knack for gathering and interpreting information to assess potential risks and threats. Your background in submarine communications provides a unique perspective for analyzing data and providing insights into security vulnerabilities.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC)
Naval Submarine School, Groton, CT followed by Submarine Communications Course, Naval Submarine School, Groton, CT640hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in electronics and communications
Topics · 8
- Submarine Communications Systems
- Antenna Theory and Operation
- HF/UHF/VLF Radio Communications
- Satellite Communication Systems (SATCOM)
- Cryptographic Equipment Operation and Maintenance
- Network Security Protocols
- Troubleshooting and Repair of Communication Equipment
- Emergency Communication Procedures
Partial coverage · 3
- CompTIA Network+70%
Study TCP/IP protocol suite in detail, subnetting, and troubleshooting network issues with tools like traceroute and ping. Focus on current networking trends and security best practices.
- Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)60%
Specifically study 802.11 standards, RF fundamentals, wireless security protocols beyond those used in submarine communications, and wireless troubleshooting methodologies. Familiarize yourself with spectrum analysis.
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)50%
Dive deeper into Cisco networking equipment and IOS. Focus on routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), switching concepts (VLANs, STP), and network security (ACLs, VPNs) in a Cisco environment. Hands-on practice is crucial.
Recommended next · 04
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Adjacent
- CompTIA Security+Adjacent
- GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)Adjacent
- 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 System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| AN/URC-35 Transceiver | HF Radio Systems | Operations |
| AN/WSC-3 Satellite Communications Terminal | Satellite communication systems (e.g., Inmarsat, Iridium) | Networking |
| Submarine Broadcast Receiver (SBR) | Digital radio broadcast receiver | Operations |
| Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS) | Advanced imaging and video processing software | Operations |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) | Maritime emergency communication systems | Operations |
| NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface) | Integrated bridge systems (IBS) for maritime navigation | Signals |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7298 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.