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Navy NEC · Engineering

J00A Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Forecaster

Current service use not established

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A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.

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Overview

A Meteorological and Oceanographic forecaster produces forecasts, warnings, and operational recommendations by analyzing conditions across land, sea, air, space, and the land and sea interface. They evaluate numerical models, charts, sonar imagery, and ocean bottom data, then brief warfare operations and distribute data to aircraft, ships, and shore activities.

Core Skills

  • Numerical forecast model reliability assessment
  • Sonar imagery and ocean bottom analysis
  • Environmental effects on sensors and navigation
  • Climatological studies for operational planning

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Operational Weather Forecaster

Military experience producing forecasts and warnings, evaluating numerical models, and briefing environmental impacts transfers directly to operational weather forecasting.

How to prepare: Compare your existing transcripts and documented METOC forecasting experience with target employers' education criteria to identify any remaining coursework gaps. BLS reports that atmospheric scientists typically need a bachelor's degree in meteorology or a related physical science and that military experience may be helpful.

What the civilian work involves
  • Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
  • Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
  • Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Microsoft Excel

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Military analysis of sonar imagery, hydrographic charts, and ocean bottom data collected by unmanned underwater vehicles provides a foundation for interpreting remotely sensed environmental data.

How to prepare: Build a civilian portfolio project using public environmental imagery and Python to demonstrate image-data analysis and integration with other geospatial data.

What the civilian work involves
  • Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
  • Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
  • Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Python

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (4 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol II (NEOCS, Jul 2026 edition): NEC J00A

    [1] NEC entry "J00A - Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Forecaster"; cached text line 6965; NAVPERS 18068F Vol II, 2026-07 edition

    Supports: Numerical forecast model reliability assessment, Sonar imagery and ocean bottom analysis, Environmental effects on sensors and navigation, Climatological studies for operational planning, Operational Weather Forecaster (O*NET 19-2021.00), Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists (O*NET 19-2099.01)

  2. O*NET: Atmospheric and Space Scientists

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Operational Weather Forecaster (O*NET 19-2021.00)

  3. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists

    [3] How to Become: Education, Training, Other Experience. Updated 2026-08-27, checked 2026-09-24.

    Supports: Operational Weather Forecaster (O*NET 19-2021.00)

  4. O*NET: Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

    [4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists (O*NET 19-2099.01)

Defense contractor jobs for J00A

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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