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How to Become a Navy Officer: Step-By-Step Career Guide
A Navy officer is employed by the United States government to assist with defending and protecting the country from threats. They may carry out a variety of responsibilities such as directing the engineering of improved submarine, ship or aviation fleet technology, processing signal intelligence, leading platoons in combat missions, directing ship crews or overseeing the care of injured patients as a director in the nurse corps.
Navy officers are educated and intelligent military personnel who must be morally sound and ready to lead their units. In this article, we discuss what Navy officers do and how you can become one and discover if this career path is right for you.
What does a Navy officer do?
Navy officers are highly-educated military leaders who are commissioned for specific officer roles throughout several specializations and occupations within the Navy. The duties of a Navy officer will depend on their officer designator and specialization. These designators and their responsibilities include the following:
- Restricted line officer
- Unrestricted line officer
- Limited duty officer
- Staff corp officer
Restricted line officer
These officers are restricted from command at sea and from pursuing unrestricted line officer positions. They may work in the regular Navy or the Navy Reserves. Some of their responsibilities may include:
- Maintenance of aviation fleets
- Overseeing and directing the work of cryptologic technicians
- Acquiring and developing advanced defense systems
- Analyzing, processing and reporting signal intelligence
- Using advanced technology and innovation to optimize the Naval organization
- Overseeing and directing the work of information systems technicians
Unrestricted line officer
These officers command submarines, ships, fleets, aircrafts squadrons and shores bases. They are not restricted in the positions they are allowed to be commissioned for in the Naval Reserve and the Navy. Some of their responsibilities may include:
- Coordinating overall tactical missions
- Directing, operating and maintaining ships crews ships and ship systems
- Leading units during combat operations
- Operating, radar, sonar and weapons systems onboard a submarine
Limited duty officer
These officers are not required to have a formal education or bachelor’s degree to be commissioned Navy officers. They are selected based on their years of service and specialized knowledge. LDOs are restricted in their career progression but not in their authority. Limited duty officers may have the same or similar responsibilities to restricted and unrestricted line officers.
Staff corp officer
These officers have jobs in specific occupations within the navy. Some of these officers are physicians, nurses, lawyers, civil engineers and chaplains. Some of their responsibilities may include:
- Overseeing the planning, testing and execution of repairing and modernizing ships and their systems
- Instructing and overseeing nurses and implementing healthcare policy in the Navy
- Providing spiritual and pastoral counseling to those enlisted in the Navy
- Handling and directing transport personnel, equipment and supplies
How to become a Navy officer
There are several requirements you must meet before you can become an officer in the United States Navy or Navy Reserve. An officer’s education will most likely determine the position they receive in the Navy.
Here are the most common steps to take to become a navy officer:
- Talk to a recruiter.
- Submit an application.
- Take aptitude tests.
- Enroll in college.
- Enlist in the Navy.
- Attend Officer Candidate School or Officer Development School.
1. Talk to a recruiter
The best way to decide if you would like to enlist before you obtain your education is to speak with a local Navy recruiter in your area. They will answer any questions you have and help you to determine which educational path or career is right for you. Recruiters can also provide you with details about what each title is responsible for. You may also discuss your education and career goals with a recruiter virtually via video chat, telephone or online chats.
2. Submit an application
You may decide to submit an application to pursue an officer position or an enlisted position. You can join the Navy and delay serving until you have completed your education so that the Navy assists you with it, or you can join right away and advance through the ranks in the Navy. Your recruiter will assist you with the application submission process.
3. Take aptitude tests
The Navy has aptitude tests to determine eligibility for the specific Navy careers or specialties you may be interested in. These tests are:
Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery
This test determines eligibility for specific enlisted careers for those who wish to join the Navy. This test examines a wide range of knowledge, skills and topics.
Officer Aptitude Rating and Aviation Selection Test Battery
This test is for those who are interested in officer specialties. The OAR is required for most officer positions and includes math, English and mechanical comprehension sections. Those who are interested in becoming Pilot and Naval flight officers must also take the ASTB, which includes aerodynamics, spatial recognition and aviation history.
4. Enroll in college
It is important to select an accredited institution that is reputable and has a Navy ROTC training program. Several state schools offer this program to students. You may want to check which colleges offer the NROTC program in your state. To be accepted to this program, you must be at least 17 years old and younger than the age of 27 by your graduation date. You must also have a high school diploma and meet medical, physical fitness and moral requirements.
Academic requirements vary based on the college you attend, but you must meet regular course requirements and take courses such as calculus, physics, National Security Policy/American Military Affairs and Naval sciences. This program typically takes about four years and students will be awarded with a bachelor’s degree.
5. Enlist in the Navy
If you choose to enlist in the Navy, you will be required to go through the Military Entrance Processing Station to complete the enlistment process. At the MEPS, your physical, academic and moral standards will be assessed to make sure you meet the Navy’s requirements. This includes aptitude testing, background screening, medical screening, job selection and an enlistment oath. After you enlist, you are sent to basic training or boot camp.
6. Attend Officer Candidate School or Officer Development School
Officer recruits or commissioned officers will attend OCS or ODS. OCS is initial training for those who are training for the line or for select operational staff corps like supply corps. OCS lasts about 5 to 13 weeks. OCS provides instruction in leadership, etiquette, physical fitness, academics, military training and other subjects associated with the career track.
ODS is initial training for other staff corps officers and engineers or nuclear power instructors. ODS lasts about five weeks. ODS provides instruction in Naval Leadership, Sea Power, Military Law, Military Indoctrination, Naval Warfare, Naval Administration, Naval Organization and Damage Control. After you graduate officer school, you will be assigned to your permanent duty station.
Frequently asked questions
You may have some unanswered questions about becoming a Navy officer. Here is a list of frequently asked questions with answers to provide you with more information about becoming an officer in the Navy:
How long am I required to serve as a Navy officer?
If you choose to enter the Navy through an officer position, you may be required to serve for three to five years. However, positions that require longer training may require longer service commitments.
Are there scholarships available for the NROTC program?
There are several scholarship programs available to help you pay for school and help you focus on your coursework. There are also financial reimbursement opportunities, salary advances and sign-on bonuses you may be able to take advantage of. It may be helpful to review this information in detail with your recruiter.
What should I ask my recruiter?
Here are some useful questions to ask your recruiter:
- What are the details and qualifications for each specialty?
- What are the current enlistment bonuses?
- Do I get special enlistment if I’ve completed Junior ROTC or Navy Cadet training?
- What is the possibility of overseas assignments?
- What are the standards for grooming and attire?
- Are there any educational benefits or off-duty education?
More types of military jobs
There are many positions within the Navy available to professionals, including the role of an officer. If you’re interested in joining the Navy or working in a related role, consider these jobs:
1. Medic
2. Avionics technician
3. Operations clerk
4. Mass communications specialist
5. Air traffic controller
6. Intelligence specialist
7. Pilot
8. Army officer
9. Air force officer
10. Navy captain