6117 Career Guide
6117: Seamanship and Navigation Officer
Career transition guide for Navy Seamanship and Navigation Officer (6117)
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Real industry tech roles your 6117 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Data Analyst
Data
Your experience with navigation systems and voyage planning, including the use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and radar, demonstrates a strong ability to collect, process, and interpret complex data. This aligns well with the responsibilities of a Data Analyst, who uses data to identify trends, solve problems, and make informed decisions. Your attention to detail, situational awareness, and procedural compliance are directly transferable to ensuring data accuracy and reliability.
Typical stack:
Computer Systems Analyst
Customer / Field
As a Seamanship and Navigation Officer, you planned, supervised, and directed activities related to navigation systems and personnel. You are familiar with systems such as Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) and Voyage Management Systems (VMS). This experience translates well to the role of a Computer Systems Analyst, where you'd analyze an organization's computer systems and recommend improvements. Your experience in managing and coordinating personnel also prepares you for collaborating with stakeholders to define system requirements and implement solutions.
Typical stack:
Technical Program Manager
Product
Your experience in planning, developing, and administering training programs, along with your ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and manage resources, aligns well with the responsibilities of a Technical Program Manager. Your background in supervising exercises and drills, adhering to naval regulations, and ensuring procedural compliance demonstrates your ability to manage complex projects and deliver results in a structured environment.
Typical stack:
QA / Test Automation Engineer
Engineering
Your meticulous attention to detail, unwavering commitment to safety standards, and a proven track record of adhering to regulatory frameworks translate well to the role of a QA/Test Automation Engineer. Your experience with systems like the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) emphasizes the importance of rigorous testing to ensure reliable performance, skills which are applicable in software quality assurance.
Typical stack:
Skills You Already Have
Concrete bridges from 6117 experience to tech-industry practice.
- Voyage Planning→ Data Analysis
- Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)→ Data Visualization
- Team Synchronization→ Cross-functional Collaboration
- Procedural Compliance→ Quality Assurance
Skills to Learn
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not generic.
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 ProgramsCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 6117 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Ship or Boat Captain
Skills to develop:
Marine Surveyor
Skills to develop:
Port Operations Manager
Skills to develop:
Maritime Academy Instructor
Skills to develop:
Yacht Broker
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 6117 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Naval Officers constantly maintain comprehensive awareness of their vessel's position, surrounding environment, and potential hazards, enabling proactive decision-making and risk mitigation.
The ability to quickly assess dynamic environments, anticipate potential problems, and maintain vigilance for subtle changes translates to effective risk management and proactive problem-solving in various civilian sectors.
Rapid Prioritization
Naval Deck Officers routinely face evolving operational demands, requiring the swift assessment of competing priorities to allocate resources and personnel effectively, ensuring mission success.
Quickly triaging tasks, making critical decisions under pressure, and allocating resources efficiently are vital skills adaptable to fast-paced civilian roles requiring decisive leadership.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating deck and navigation personnel during complex operations demands meticulous synchronization of tasks, clear communication, and a shared understanding of objectives to achieve seamless execution.
Coordinating cross-functional teams, aligning diverse skill sets, and fostering collaborative environments are essential for successful project management and achieving organizational goals in the civilian world.
Procedural Compliance
Adherence to strict naval protocols and safety regulations is paramount for Naval Officers, ensuring operational integrity and minimizing risks in high-stakes environments.
Meticulous attention to detail, unwavering commitment to safety standards, and a proven track record of adhering to regulatory frameworks translate to valuable assets in industries with stringent compliance requirements.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been rigorously trained to assess risks, coordinate resources, and make critical decisions under pressure. As an Emergency Management Director (11-9161.00), you'll use these skills to prepare for and respond to disasters, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities.
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00Your experience in coordinating personnel and resources on naval vessels translates seamlessly to managing complex supply chains and logistics operations. As a Logistics Manager (11-3071.00), you'll optimize processes, ensure timely delivery, and minimize disruptions in civilian supply chains.
Project Manager
SOC 11-9021.00You're a seasoned expert in planning, organizing, and executing complex projects while managing diverse teams. As a Project Manager (11-9021.00), you'll leverage your leadership skills, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances to drive successful project outcomes in any industry.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), Navigation Department Head Course, Newport, RI
Topics Covered
- •Voyage Planning
- •Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
- •Radar Navigation
- •Collision Avoidance
- •Celestial Navigation
- •Shiphandling
- •Bridge Resource Management
- •Naval Regulations
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires study of general management principles, human resources, and financial management topics not explicitly covered in naval deck officer training.
Requires additional study of formal project management methodologies, documentation, and specific project management knowledge areas as defined by PMI.
While naval officers receive safety training, this OSHA certification requires specific knowledge of OSHA regulations and maritime-specific safety standards.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Integrated Bridge System (IBS) | Integrated marine navigation systems (e.g., Transas, Raymarine, Furuno) with ECDIS, radar, and conning display. |
| Voyage Management System (VMS) | Voyage planning software (e.g., MaxSea, Coastal Explorer) used in commercial shipping. |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) / Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) | GPS navigation devices and apps (e.g., Garmin, Navionics) with WAAS/EGNOS support for enhanced accuracy. |
| Automatic Identification System (AIS) | AIS transponders and vessel tracking services (e.g., MarineTraffic, VesselFinder) for collision avoidance and monitoring. |
| AN/SPS-73 Surface Search Radar | Marine radar systems (e.g., Furuno, Simrad) for detecting surface contacts in low visibility conditions. |
| Gyrocompass | Marine gyrocompass systems (e.g., Sperry Marine, Raymarine) for accurate heading information independent of magnetic field. |
| Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) | Maritime Command and Control Systems |
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