The best job for anyone is the one that fits him best. Someone interested in cryptography might be completely uninterested in graphic design, or food preparation. Luckily, the Navy offers such a diverse selection of jobs, called ?ratings?, that anyone can find work meaningful to him both during service, and post-service. For example…
Best Jobs for Navy Veterans
Merchant Marines
Some sailors are seamen just because they love sailing; love being in a navy. As a general rule, any rating in the Navy finds its equivalent in the Merchant Marines. From deck hands to Captains, radio technicians to navigators, the Merchant Marines need the same dedicated personnel as their military counterparts. Unlicensed seamen aboard a Merchant Marine earn a median salary of $38,670 per year, ranging up to $46,950, which includes all meals, and a cabin. Licensed officers earn a median of $71,760, ranging up to $92,710, also including meals, and a cabin. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a growth rate of all jobs in the US by 2020 to average 14.3%, while the growth rate for Merchant Marines is estimated to be between 18% and 20%.
Hull Maintenance Technician
The need for Navy techs will never outgrow the supply. World wide shipping continues to grow at a faster rate than any country’s economy. During service, a Hull Maintenance Technician designs, oversees, and completes the fabrication of all required shipboard structures. They are also responsible for everything from plumbing and carpentry to hull and mechanical repair. Their enormous range of duties provide them with a base of knowledge, and experience, unavailable in the civilian sector outside Navy Vets. After separation, Hull Maintenance Technicians can expect to be paid $57,408.00 to $74,628.00 per year.
Medical Technologist
These well-trained medical personnel control medical laboratories for the US Navy, and are often attached to other services, serving around the world. Charged with helping maintain the health of Navy servicemembers, and their dependents, they are responsible for maintaining the integrity, and accuracy, of laboratory services, including deployed forces’ blood banks. Currently, the average income for Vets with this training is $54,000.
SCA Electronic Technician II
In the Navy, SCA Electronic Technician II’s are responsible for all ship-board electronic communications, including navigation, detection and identification of vessels, and enemy planes. They determine distance to target, and must calibrate, repair, and maintain electronic systems devoted to those tasks. The scope of their training supplies them a skill-set valued, post-service, between $57,240 and $68,690.
Civil Engineers
The Navy’s Civil Engineers are trained in areas as diverse as contract management, and the design, maintenance, and physical construction of Navy facilities that are often as large as small cities. Military deployment, and humanitarian needs, depend on the construction of buildings, entire ports, roads, airfields, and bridges. The education the Navy provides these professionals is exceeded only by the real-world experience they receive in their field. Post-service, Navy Civil Engineers are sought after by every industry requiring construction of any kind. Their talents are currently valued at a medfian of $79,340, and range up to $122,020 per year.
MACHINIST MATES(Nuclear Operations)
Machinist Mates in Nuclear Operations ?operate and maintain steam turbines and reduction gears used for ship propulsion and auxiliary machinery such as turbogenerators, pumps and oil purifiers.? Nuclear trained, these techs operate, repair, and maintain energy plants that provide propulsion, and generate power needed for all ship-board requirements. The median pay for nuclear technicians, post-service, is $68,090.
Information Systems Technician
As information has become weaponized, the role of Information Systems Technicians has become more critical. From operating, and maintaining, global satellite systems to supervising the wide area networks, and software communication programs that bind the Fleet together, these techs have become vital to the Navy, and their training, and experience, incredibly valued post-service. This field is growing in the civilian sector with no end in sight, and the average yearly income currently is $53,077.
The ?best job? in the Navy that prepares a seaman for post-service employment is the job he loves to do. Every assignment in the Navy brings with it skills, and experience, that are highly valued in the civilian sector. The Navy well prepares its personnel to be Vets, whatever their interests.