3 U.S. Navy Careers That Are Rewarding

Out of high school or college and unsure about what your next move will be? The U.S. military is certainly a viable option where you can learn and acquire marketable skills that will help you get meaningful work after your service ends and the U.S. Navy has a lot of great US Navy careers that also include an opportunity to travel and see the world.

Having translatable skills can help you in your transition and reintegration into the civilian sector once your service is complete if you have no intention of making the service a career. While there are six military branches, for the purpose of this article we will focus on the U.S. Navy.

There are several US Navy careers that can lead to outstanding and long-term civilian careers. At the very least, these US Navy careers can serve as a very strong launching point and get you moving in a positive direction.

USAMM developed this list using U.S. Department of Labor information that identified some of the most sought-after trades and skills in the U.S. job market. These are presented in no particular order and thankfully the US Navy careers are available right now and some might even include an enlistment bonus.

1. Information Systems Technician
As an information systems technician you will manage communication operations and networks aboard Navy vessels, and play a vital role in everything from electronic mail systems to special intelligence and information warfare systems. There are two types of Information Systems Technicians depending on whether you choose to serve on ships or submarines. But both of these are great US Navy careers to choose from.

a. Information Systems Technician (IT)
Establish, monitor and maintain radio frequency communication systems and operate and maintain global satellite telecommunications systems. IT techs transmit, receive and store all incoming and outgoing messages while managing and coordinating information systems security across platforms and fleets.

They design, install and operate wide-area-networks, computer systems and associated devices while performing network system administration, maintenance and training, including managing network security. They also install applications, troubleshoot user problems and provide training and assistance with use of computer hardware and software.

Lastly, IT techs write programs to collect and distribute data for a variety of applications, ensure the proper security and handling of communications materials, systems and equipment while performing diagnostics and data recovery operations and maintaining logs.

b. Information Systems Technician Submarines (ITS)
IT techs on subs establish, monitor and maintain radio frequency communication systems while operating and maintaining global satellite telecommunications systems. They transmit, receive and store all incoming and outgoing messages while managing and coordinating information systems security across platforms and fleets.

They design, install and operate wide-area-networks, computer systems and associated devices. They perform network system administration, maintenance and training and manage network security while installing applications, troubleshooting user problems and providing training and assistance with use of computer hardware and software.

IT techs write programs to collect and distribute data for a variety of applications while performing diagnostics and data recovery operations, and maintaining logs. They operate and maintain electronic equipment used for detection and tracking, communication security and cryptography and Electronic Warfare Systems while operating and maintaining testing and auxiliary equipment and ensuring the proper security and handling of communications materials, systems and equipment.

Both of these IT fields can easily transition to the civilian world and not just offer solid US Navy careers, but great civilian sector professions.

2. Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical (AWF)
AWFs offer great opportunities for US Navy careers. They are members of a fixed-wing integrated tactical crew aboard C-2, C-9, C-12, C-20, C-37, C-40, C-130, E-6 and P-3 aircraft. Their responsibilities include performing primary in-flight and ground duties as aircraft Flight Engineer/Crew Chief, Loadmaster, Reel Operator and Aircrew Readiness Manager.

They perform aircraft maintenance, weight and balance calculations and aircraft systems rigging while conducting flight and ground training. These crewmen move cargo, perform medical evacuations, transport passengers and small arms, assist in joint special warfare operations, and contribute directly to operations for the purposes of attaining and maintaining the squadron’s aircrew qualifications and certifications.

AWFs demonstrate knowledge of all aircraft systems, passenger and cargo handling, safety procedures and equipment, federal and military regulations for passenger transport, emergency procedures and aircraft equipment.

Any airline or aviation company would hire air crewmen after their US Navy careers. The jobs are in demand.

3. Hospital Corpsmen
Hospital Corpsmen assist health care professionals in providing medical care to Navy personnel and their families. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel and healthcare providers at medical treatment facilities. If you are interested in a medical career, this is a great way to get your feet wet and take a test drive. As a US Navy career it is a rewarding field, but it can also open post-military doors and help you get a job as a firefighter, EMT, or a medical or dental technician. This can also lead to more advanced careers like medical specialists or medical doctor.

Specifically, Hospital Corpsmen may be called upon to perform emergency medical treatment on SEALs, Seabees, Marines and other military personnel injured in the field, as well as on sailors aboard ships or aircraft.

Corpsmen perform emergency dental treatment as well as construct dental crowns and bridges, process dental X-rays and operate X-ray equipment. During their US Navy careers, they can also serve as an operating room technician for general and specialized surgery. Much depends on what type of corpsman you choose to become.

Corpsmen can help administer a wide range of preventive care and medications, including immunizations and intravenous fluids and they can conduct physical examinations and assist in the treatment of diseases and injuries. They can supervise sanitation and safety conditions in the workplace and maintain patient treatment records, conduct research and perform clinical tests.

Lastly, corpsmen assist Navy physicians and nurses in a variety of medical fields, including, but not limited to radiology, physical therapy, phlebotomy, dental, surgery, family medicine, pathology, women’s health and more.

Given the push in technology, the IT fields are always a safe bet to enter and you can get great experiences working in those fields as US Navy careers. And because of technology demand, that means less and less people are entering the mechanical fields, creating high demand for those who work with their hands and keep things moving. You can’t go wrong entering US Navy careers where you work on aircraft. Like tech, you will easily find work after you leave the ranks.

Lastly, the medical field, for decades, has always had a shortage of healthcare workers. US Navy careers in healthcare are almost a guaranteed path to get into a good paying, in demand healthcare job after you leave the U.S. military.