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1807 Career Guide

Navy

1807: Oceanography Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Oceanography Officer (1807)

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Tech Roles You Could Aim For

Real industry tech roles your 1807 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Data Scientist

Data

SOC 15-2051
High match

Your expertise in oceanographic modeling, meteorological analysis, and data analysis directly translates to the skills required for a Data Scientist. You're already familiar with creating sophisticated models of complex systems, which is crucial for predictive analysis and algorithm development. Your experience with tools like NTOWS and COAMPS is relevant to data processing and model building.

Typical stack:

Python (pandas, scikit-learn)SQLStatistics (regression, hypothesis testing)ML fundamentalsCommunication of model behavior

Data Engineer

Data

SOC 15-2051
Good match

Your experience with systems like ADOS and JMOS gives you a strong foundation in data collection, storage, and management. Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines, and your background in managing oceanographic and meteorological data makes you well-suited for this role.

Typical stack:

PythonSQL (deep)Pipeline orchestration (Airflow, Dagster, dbt)Cloud data warehouse (Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift)Schema design

Machine Learning Engineer

Data

SOC 15-1252
Moderate match

Given your experience with environmental impact assessment and predictive modeling, you can leverage these skills in machine learning. Your understanding of sensor systems and data analysis is relevant to developing and deploying ML models.

Typical stack:

PythonPyTorch or TensorFlowML pipeline tooling (MLflow, Kubeflow, Vertex AI)Model deploymentSoftware engineering fundamentals

Analytics Engineer

Data

SOC 15-2051
Moderate match

Your proficiency in situational awareness and after-action analysis provides a strong foundation for becoming an Analytics Engineer. You are skilled at understanding the impact of environmental factors on naval operations, which translates well to analyzing business data, identifying trends, and making data-driven recommendations.

Typical stack:

SQL (deep)dbtCloud data warehouseVersion-controlled data modelsDocumentation discipline

Skills You Already Have

Concrete bridges from 1807 experience to tech-industry practice.

  • System ModelingUnderstanding and creating machine learning models
  • Meteorological Analysis and PredictionStatistical analysis and forecasting
  • Sensor Systems and Data AnalysisData collection, cleaning, and preprocessing
  • Geodesy and Cartography ApplicationsGeospatial data analysis and visualization
  • Situational AwarenessIdentifying and mitigating risks based on data insights

Skills to Learn

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

Python (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn)SQL and database managementCloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)Machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)

How VWC fits

Vets Who Code accelerates the parts we teach — software engineering fundamentals, web development, AI tooling. For everything else above, the path is doable independently with the resources we link to.

See VWC Programs

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1807 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Oceanographer

$95K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian scientific research methodologiesGrant writing

Meteorologist

$98K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced atmospheric modeling softwareBroadcast meteorology certification (optional)

Geospatial Analyst

$85K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

GIS software proficiency (ArcGIS, QGIS)Remote sensing data analysis

Environmental Consultant

$78K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Environmental regulations and complianceEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certification

Data Scientist

$110K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Machine learning algorithmsData visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)Programming languages (Python, R)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1807 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an Oceanography Officer, you constructed models of complex oceanographic and meteorological systems to predict their impact on naval operations, considering factors like temperature, currents, and weather patterns.

You can create sophisticated models of complex systems to understand their behavior and predict future outcomes, invaluable for strategic planning and risk assessment.

Situational Awareness

You maintained a constant awareness of environmental conditions and their potential effects on naval assets and operations, anticipating challenges and adjusting plans accordingly.

You possess an exceptional ability to stay informed about your surroundings and anticipate potential disruptions, allowing you to proactively adjust strategies and mitigate risks.

Resource Optimization

You optimized the use of environmental data and forecasting tools to support naval operations, ensuring efficient deployment of resources and minimizing potential risks.

You are skilled at maximizing the use of available resources and information to achieve desired outcomes, ensuring efficiency and minimizing waste.

After-Action Analysis

Following naval exercises or real-world operations, you analyzed the impact of environmental factors, identifying lessons learned and recommending improvements to future planning and execution.

You can critically evaluate past events to extract valuable insights and develop actionable recommendations for future improvements.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Climate Change Analyst

SOC 19-2041

You've been rigorously assessing and predicting the impact of environmental factors on complex systems. This makes you exceptionally well-prepared to analyze climate change data, predict future trends, and develop mitigation strategies for organizations or governments.

Disaster Risk Management Consultant

SOC 13-1199

You've been responsible for anticipating and mitigating risks associated with environmental conditions. This experience translates perfectly to helping businesses and communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters and other crises.

Renewable Energy Project Manager

SOC 11-9041

You've worked with environmental data to support naval operations, giving you a unique understanding of environmental factors that affect operational success. This background will be incredibly valuable in planning and executing renewable energy projects, considering environmental impacts and optimizing resource utilization.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (Specific Oceanography Curriculum)

600 training hours40 weeksVaries, potentially up to 30 graduate-level semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Advanced Oceanographic Principles
  • Meteorological Analysis and Prediction
  • Geodesy and Cartography Applications
  • Naval Warfare and Operational Planning
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Sensor Systems and Data Analysis
  • Leadership and Management Principles
  • Oceanographic Modeling

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Survey Technician (CST)40% covered

Requires additional knowledge of surveying principles, legal descriptions, data processing, and instrumentation.

American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM)30% covered

Requires demonstrated on-air broadcasting skills and passing the CBM exam focused on communication and meteorology.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Coastal Practitioner (CCP)GIS Professional (GISP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Navy Tactical Oceanographic Warfare Support System (NTOWS)Oceanographic modeling and forecasting software (e.g., FVCOM, ROMS) used in environmental consulting and coastal management.
Automated Digital Oceanographic System (ADOS)Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software like ESRI ArcGIS or QGIS for oceanographic data analysis and visualization.
Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Observing System (JMOS)Weather and ocean data buoys, remote sensing platforms, and environmental monitoring networks used by NOAA and private sector weather services.
NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface)Integrated bridge systems (IBS) used on commercial ships that combine radar, GPS, AIS, and other navigation sensors.
AN/WSN-7(V) Inertial Navigation System (INS)High-precision inertial measurement units (IMUs) and navigation systems used in autonomous vehicles and surveying equipment.
COAMPS (Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System)Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models used by meteorological services for forecasting weather and ocean conditions.
GEONAV (Geospatial Navigation Tool)Similar to commercial mapping and navigation software, but tailored for naval operations, equivalent to advanced GIS and mission planning software used in logistics and transportation.

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