1113 Career Guide
1113: Surface Warfare Officer
Career transition guide for Navy Surface Warfare Officer (1113)
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Real industry tech roles your 1113 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Embedded Software Engineer
Engineering
Expertise in Weapons Systems and Engineering Principles, combined with familiarity with integrated combat systems like Aegis, translates directly to understanding and developing software for specialized hardware. Experience with the Damage Control Console maps to operating and understanding industrial control systems.
Typical stack:
Technical Program Manager
Product
As a Commanding Officer/Executive Officer and Department Head, coordinating complex Naval Operations and managing budgets for supplies and personnel support equipment demonstrates a strong capacity for driving multi-team technical initiatives and resource allocation. The Team Synchronization cognitive skill is central to achieving shared objectives across diverse teams.
Typical stack:
Site Reliability Engineer
DevOps / Platform
Experience in Shipboard Management and Damage Control requires rapid prioritization and problem-solving to maintain operational continuity and respond to critical incidents, directly mirroring the SRE focus on system reliability and incident response. The Resource Optimization skill is critical for maximizing system efficiency in production environments.
Typical stack:
Computer Systems Analyst
Customer / Field
The ability to administer commercial contracts, identify BQ facility requirements, and utilize systems like NTCSS for maintenance and supply chain management demonstrates a strong aptitude for analyzing organizational needs and designing improved technical solutions. Situational Awareness aids in quickly synthesizing complex information to understand system dynamics.
Typical stack:
Skills You Already Have
Concrete bridges from 1113 experience to tech-industry practice.
- Management of Naval Operations and shipboard systems→ Operational system architecture and critical infrastructure oversight
- Damage Control procedures and response→ Incident response and resilience planning
- Situational Awareness (synthesizing complex information from various sources)→ Complex system diagnosis and requirements gathering
- Resource Optimization (allocating personnel and equipment strategically)→ Efficient system design and strategic resource allocation in projects
- Experience with NTCSS (Naval Tactical Command Support System) for maintenance and supply chain→ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system analysis and optimization
- Understanding of Weapons Systems and Engineering Principles→ Foundational understanding of hardware-software interaction and system integration
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 1113 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Project Manager
Skills to develop:
Logistics Manager
Skills to develop:
Facilities Manager
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Director
Skills to develop:
Maritime Security Specialist
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 1113 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Surface Warfare Officers must maintain a constant awareness of their surroundings, including the position and movement of other ships, aircraft, and potential threats, both in peacetime and combat scenarios. They must quickly assess the implications of this information for the safety and mission effectiveness of their vessel.
This translates to an ability to quickly synthesize complex information from various sources to understand the big picture and anticipate potential problems or opportunities in dynamic environments.
Rapid Prioritization
In a combat environment or during emergency situations, Surface Warfare Officers must rapidly assess the urgency and importance of competing demands and make quick decisions about which actions to take first to mitigate risks and achieve objectives.
You can quickly determine what's most important in a fast-paced environment and focus your efforts where they will have the greatest impact, even under pressure.
Team Synchronization
Surface Warfare Officers are responsible for coordinating the actions of a diverse team of sailors and officers to achieve a common goal. This requires clear communication, delegation, and the ability to build trust and cohesion within the team.
You excel at leading and coordinating teams, ensuring everyone is working together effectively towards a shared objective. You understand how to motivate people and foster a collaborative environment.
Resource Optimization
Managing shipboard resources, including personnel, fuel, ammunition, and supplies, is a critical aspect of a Surface Warfare Officer's job. They must make efficient use of these resources to ensure the ship can sustain operations and accomplish its mission.
You are adept at allocating resources strategically to maximize efficiency and achieve desired outcomes. You can identify areas for improvement and implement solutions to streamline operations.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to think clearly under pressure and make quick decisions in crisis situations. Your experience managing complex operations and coordinating diverse teams makes you an ideal candidate to lead emergency response efforts.
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've honed your skills in resource management and supply chain operations while overseeing shipboard logistics. Your ability to track inventory, anticipate needs, and optimize distribution makes you well-suited for a career in logistics management.
Project Manager
SOC 11-9199.11You've managed complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Your experience in planning, executing, and monitoring projects to achieve specific goals makes you a strong candidate for project management roles across various industries.
Business Continuity Planner
SOC 13-1199.00You've developed a strong understanding of risk management and disaster preparedness. You've been responsible for creating plans to sustain operations, which directly translates to the responsibilities of a business continuity planner.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), Newport, RI
Topics Covered
- •Shipboard Management
- •Naval Operations
- •Weapons Systems
- •Engineering Principles
- •Damage Control
- •Leadership
- •Navigation and Seamanship
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
While the SWO role involves significant management and leadership, the CM certification requires specific knowledge of HR, finance, marketing, and information technology. Focus study on these business administration areas.
SWOs manage projects, but PMP requires formal PM training. Study the PMBOK guide, focusing on the 10 knowledge areas, including integration, scope, schedule, cost, quality, resource, communications, risk, procurement, and stakeholder management.
The role involves budget execution, but CGFM requires specific knowledge of government accounting, auditing, and financial reporting. Focus on federal financial management regulations and standards.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Aegis Combat System | Integrated naval combat management systems (e.g., Saab 9LV, Thales TACTICOS) |
| AN/SPY-1 Radar | Long-range air surveillance radar systems (e.g., Lockheed Martin TPS-77) |
| Vertical Launching System (VLS) | Missile silo systems for land based applications |
| Shipboard Air Traffic Radar (SATR) | Airport surveillance radar (ASR) |
| Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M) | Maritime domain awareness platforms (e.g., Lloyd's List Intelligence, MarineTraffic) |
| Naval Tactical Command Support System (NTCSS) | ERP systems with modules for maintenance, supply chain management, and personnel management (e.g., SAP, Oracle) |
| Damage Control Console (DCC) | Building management systems (BMS) with fire and flooding monitoring, industrial control systems (ICS) for critical infrastructure |
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