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Navy NEC · Combat & Infantry

O52A Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC)

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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

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Overview

A Special Warfare Combat Crewman plans, conducts, and supervises Combatant Craft operations. These operations span the spectrum of special warfare missions within Special Warfare Commands.

Core Skills

  • Special warfare craft mission planning
  • Combatant craft operations supervision

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.

Motorboat Operators

Conducting and supervising combatant craft operations transfers directly to operating motorboats and directing their crews.

How to prepare: Request an official sea-service transcript or assignment history documenting vessel tonnage, routes, propulsion power, time underway, and assigned duties for Coast Guard evaluation.

What the civilian work involves
  • Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
  • Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
  • Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Radar software

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Planning and supervising combatant craft operations provides a foundation for civilian vessel command and operational oversight.

How to prepare: Use the NMC checklist to identify the deck officer endorsement suited to your intended vessel and route and compare its requirements with your documented service. Officer endorsement requires Coast Guard verification of experience, approved training, professional competence, age, citizenship, physical health, character, and drug-testing qualifications.

What the civilian work involves
  • Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
  • Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
  • Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.

Notes & Sources

  • Most water transportation jobs require a TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential and a Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with appropriate endorsements; requirements depend on the work and vessel.
  • The Coast Guard evaluates military sea service for merchant-vessel equivalence and endorsement grade, class, and limits; a DD-214 is not acceptable sea-service evidence.
  • Open-ocean service requires USCG-verified STCW training; maritime pilot work may also require a state license.
Evidence for this guidance (7 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol II (NEOCS, Jul 2026 edition): NEC O52A

    [1] NEC entry "O52A - Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC)"; cached text line 9672; NAVPERS 18068F Vol II, 2026-07 edition

    Supports: Special warfare craft mission planning, Combatant craft operations supervision, Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00), Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  2. O*NET: Motorboat Operators

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00)

  3. USCG: 46 CFR 10.232 military sea-service evidence and credit

    [3] Paragraphs (a) and (d)(1), official eCFR snapshot September 21, 2026; retrieved September 24

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00), Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  4. USCG National Maritime Center: Apply for Merchant Mariner Credential

    [4] Original, Raise of Grade, and STCW application steps; public page retrieved through Jina Reader 2026-09-23

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00), Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Water Transportation Workers

    [5] How to Become; training, licenses and related experience; updated August 27, 2026, checked September 23, 2026

    Supports: Motorboat Operators (O*NET 53-5022.00), Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  6. O*NET: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

    [6] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  7. USCG: 46 CFR 11.201 officer-endorsement requirements

    [7] Paragraph (a), official eCFR snapshot September 21, 2026; retrieved September 24

    Supports: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00)

Defense contractor jobs for O52A

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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