Future Career Growth Of Navy Officers
Serving as leaders among their peers, those following a Navy officer career path are responsible for the efficiency of daily Navy operations as well as the management and care of enlisted personnel. Highly educated and highly trained, they constituted 15% of military personnel serving in active duty as of March 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
The expanding need for technological and readiness capacity will increase the demand for knowledgeable and capable Navy officers. The BLS only provides detailed predictions about job growth for civilian careers however, it projects job opportunities for Navy officers and other military personnel to be very positive through 2028.
Becoming An Officer In The Military After College
While its common knowledge that basic training sets recruits on the pathway toward becoming an enlisted service member, those with a desire for leadership opportunities and a bachelors degree can take another route into a military career as a commissioned officer.
The Reserve Officers Training Corps program for college students and Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School for graduates are great options for those who want to earn a four-year college degree before joining the military. Each service branch offers both ROTC and officer schools as entry points to an officer commission.
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.
Read Also: Cox Discounts For Military
Typical Pay And Allowances For Junior Naval Officers
After graduation Midshipmen are promoted to the rank of O-1 . The monthly pay and allowances as an O-1 for the Annapolis area is $4,996 . Special pay and bonuses of up to $17,500 per year are added to many career fields such as nuclear training and Surface Warfare .
Promotion to Navy Lieutenant or Marine Corps First Lieutenant normally comes two years after commissioning. The next promotion, to Navy Lieutenant or Marine Corps Captain, normally comes four years after commissioning. All of these figures, including cost-of-living increases, are subject to change. Download a complete pay chart.
What Are Navy Officers

Navy officers are highly educated, specially trained military leaders. Some of their responsibilities include managing the Navy’s ships, aircraft, weapons systems and personnel. Officers are required to know how to keep their unit productive and focused, how to perform their necessary job duties and any other tasks assigned to them by superior officers.
Don’t Miss: Felon Join Military
S To Become A Navy Officer
As a military leader, a Navy officer needs a well-rounded set of skills, including the ability to make tactical decisions. For this reason, candidates who are pursuing a Navy officer career path must meet higher education and training standards. They must also meet the universal physical and general military enlistment requirements. Understanding the following steps can be beneficial for an individual who is interested in how to become a Navy officer.
New Entry Officers Course
The New Entry Officers Course teaches the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be an effective junior naval officer. The course is approximately five months long and is residential, requiring students to live at HMASCreswell.
Creswell is at Jervis Bay, surrounded by Booderee National Park, three hours south of Sydney. The biggest challenge of the course is understanding what it means to be a naval officer. The primary responsibility of an officer is the welfare of their sailors and to uphold the Navy’s core values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. The first four weeks of the course is the Initial Training Period . ITP is intensive and teaches the basics of military life. These include military discipline, how to wear a uniform with pride, how to move around in a military manner and to correctly interact with other officers as well as sailors. There is no leave during ITP as these activities run seven days a week.
The courses first challenge is learning to live in communally with your new division mates. Each trainee has their own single cabin, however all trainees share communal heads and showers. Each cabin will be required to be set up in a specific fashion, with minimal personal effects unpacked during ITP, however once ITP is complete there will be the freedom to put out a limited number of personal effects.
Also Check: Autism Military Enlistment
Restricted Line And Staff Corps Specialties
Midshipmen not physically qualified to serve in the unrestricted line but who can be commissioned as active duty officers may choose from a wide variety of alternatives and pursue a career. Restricted line and staff corps officers may choose careers in the fields of intelligence, information warfare, information professional, oceanography, medicine, civil engineering, supply and aviation maintenance. They serve aboard ships, with aircraft squadrons and at shore bases around the world. Graduating midshipmen who are accepted to medical school may be commissioned in the Medical Corps even if physically qualified to serve in the unrestricted line.
Are Navy Pilots Better Than Air Force
Both have the same basic training and both fly the best available hardware. Navy pilots have the extra skill of landing on a carrier, but while that is a very difficult and demanding skill, it is just an extra skill and does not, in total, make a Naval pilot a Better fighter pilot than an Air Force pilot.
Recommended Reading: Veterans Discounts At Sears
How Do You Get To Navy Ocs
There are three different avenues of approach for the Navy Officer Candidate School.
Some recruits apply after graduating from a college or university after obtaining a traditional 4-year bachelors degree.
Other recruits are enlisted members of the service who have earned the opportunity to become an officer.
Furthermore, some recruits are Direct Commission Officers who already have a specialized degree or set of skills.
What Does A Navy Officer Do
Navy officers manage and lead non-commissioned officers and sailors in both peacetime and wartime. They serve on board ships and submarines, and manage the day-to-day operations of a vessel.
As a Navy officer, you could:
- lead a team of non-commissioned officer and sailors
- be responsible for your team in both wartime and peacetime operations
- command a ship or a submarine
- specialise in combat- related areas such as weapons engineering, maritime warfare, or maritime engineering
- specialise in non-combat duties such as legal, medical, finance or supply / logistics areas
- keep both your military and marine skills up-to-date.
To become a Navy officer, you would need:
- to be able to lead and motivate others
- to be prepared to accept responsibility
- good physical and mental medical fitness
- to be able to work as part of a team
- Australian citizenship.
You May Like: Sears Military Discount Appliances
Becoming A Navy Officer
There are several ways to become an officer in the U.S. Navy. These include the U.S. Naval Academy, NROTC, OCS, direct commissioning and through the Seaman to Admiral-21 Program.
The eligibility differs from program to program. But in general, you must meet the following criteria to pursue a career as an officer in the U.S. Navy:
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must not have reached your 27th birthday by June 30 of the year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.Note: Applicants with prior military service may be eligible for age adjustments for the amount of time equal to their prior service.
- You must have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
- You must have no moral obligations or personal convictions that would prevent you bearing arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States.
- You must be of good moral character.
- You must be physically qualified by Navy standards.
- And you must have qualifying scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or American College Test :
- SAT: 530 critical reading, 520 math
- ACT: 22 English, 22 math
Specific Duties Of The Surface Warfare Officer

Surface Warfare Officers are Navy officers whose training and primary duties focus on the operation of Navy ships at sea and the management of various shipboard systems. Their ultimate goal is to command a Navy surface ship. Navy systems such as the vertical launch system that fires surface-to-air and cruise missiles require the skills and expertise of people trained in high-tech fields.
Locations of fleet assignments: The initial fleet assignments man take you to Norfolk, VA, San Diego, CA, Bremerton, WA, Pearl Harbor, HI, Yokosuka, Japan, or Mayport, Florida. The largest concentration of Navy shore billets is on the East Coast, mainly in Washington, DC, Newport, RI, and Norfolk, VA. Opportunities for shore duty include Naval Post Graduate School , JCS/OSD Intern Program, and various instructor assignments. The Naval Post Graduate Schools offers technical and non-technical curricula and provides junior officers an excellent early opportunity to obtain advanced degrees. Individuals not assigned to NPGS are encouraged to work on advanced degrees during the “off-duty” time. First, shore tours are designed to further broaden a junior officer’s background and expand their opportunities.
You May Like: Can You Join The Army With Aspergers
How To Become A Navy Officer: Step
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.
Do Us Navy Surface Warfare Officers Need A New Career Path
Live a T-shaped life. To oversimplify a trifle, that means trying to know something about everything and everything about one thing. It means combining breadth with depth. As industry potentates point out, constructing a team of T-shaped individuals with the right mix of specialties yields a team primed to excel. This is a philosophy the U.S. Navys surface-warfare communitythe sailors and officers who navigate ships across the seas surfaceought to embrace.
At least thats one way to interpret a recent report from the Government Accountability Office.
This month the GAO published a report on U.S. Navy readiness titled Actions Needed to Evaluate and Improve Surface Warfare Officer Career Path. Among the reports more alarming findings: few surface-warfare officers remain in the ship-driving community for more than ten years compared to aviators and submariners. The redoubtable USNI News is on the story. Thirty-three percent of surface officers stay around compared to 45 percent of their airborne and undersea brethren. Some exchange the uniform for a business suit and leave the service altogether. Others stay in uniform but transfer into other specialties within the service.
Anemic retention is a problem.
Continuity is good.
Count me with the majority on this one. Lets work toward an officer corps of Renaissance men and women.
Don’t Miss: Does Wayfair Do Military Discount
How Do I Become A Navy Officer
There are many different paths a person may take to become an officer in the United States Navy. For example, a person interested in a career as a naval officer may decide to do so as an officer on a submarine, as an attorney or doctor, as an engineer, or even as a chaplain. The requirements for pursuing these and other naval officer careers vary. Generally, however, those interested in becoming naval officers do so through the United States Naval Academy, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship program, or Officer Candidate School.
A person who wants to become a Navy officer may wonder how old he has to be to do so. This depends on the method used for commissioning. For example, an individual who attends the Naval Academy must be at least 17 years old but not more than 23. If a person is 23 before July 1 of the year in which he would be admitted, he would not be eligible for admission. The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship program requires candidates to be under 27 by the final day of June in the year of commissioning. Other paths to becoming an officer may have different age requirements.
What Is The Most Elite Military Unit
Known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta SFOD-D, commonly referred to as Delta Force, Combat Applications Group, the unit, Army Compartmented Element, or Task Force Green, depending who you are, Delta is an elite Army special operations force under the control of Joint Special Operations Command.
Don’t Miss: Sears Veteran Discount
The Benefits Of Joining The Military After College
Joining the military as a commissioned officer can offer the best of both worlds for those who want the college experience but who also want to serve their country. The benefits include:
- A guaranteed job after college
- A leadership role at a young age
- Higher pay than joining as an enlisted military member
- Greater opportunities for promotion and training
Job Duties Of Navy Intelligence Officers
Navy Intelligence Officers are the first to examine the implications of the latest intelligence gathered around the world.
Intelligence Officers have keen analytical abilities where they can study patterns and other details of satellite imagery.
The incredibly important job role represents a key function of the Navy Information Dominance Corps.
The job duties include:
- Supervise the collection, analysis, and dissemination of important information.
- Participate in reconnaissance missions for the Navy intelligence community.
- Conduct analysis of the inner works of adversaries and subsequently develop intelligence for the Navy.
- Participate in intelligence support to Naval forces and multinational military forces.
- Advice executive-level decision-makers for the United States government.
Navy Intelligence Officers oversee enlisted personnel in gathering and analyzing mission-sensitive information.
The diverse Navy rating may also include other job roles such as:
- Lead the planning, development, testing, and deployment of information systems.
- Monitor and analyze maritime activities that pose a threat to national security.
- Provide real-time operational intelligence assessments to high-level military personnel.
- Plan intelligence operations and manage intelligence programs.
- Lead teams that identify enemy targets for U.S. or coalition forces.
You May Like: Does Autism Disqualify You From The Military
Where Can I Find Support For My Son In The Navy
Luckily, youre not the first parent or family member to walk this roadin fact, you can learn a lot from those who have at sources like NavyForMoms.com and NavyDads.com. These sites are sponsored by Americas Navy, but parents are free to express their opinions, provide support and advice, and share their stories.
These services are offered anywhere your son or daughter is stationedeven while at sea. Sailors look forward to hearing from home while underway. While the ship is in-port, your son or daughter will likely report to work each morning on the ship, and return home each evening. Having a son or daughter child in Americas Navy isnt always easy.
CAN MY SON OR DAUGHTER EXPLORE NEW FIELDS AFTER JOINING THE NAVY? Yes. Once they have served at least one tour in their designated field, they may pursue other opportunities. The Navy recognizes that over time Sailors interests may change.
This varies depending on the mission and type of ship your son or daughter will be serving on. Ships on deployment usually spend time visiting ports throughout the world. If your son or daughter is on a shore duty tour, they will likely spend no time at sea during that duty assignment.
Similar Jobs In This Industry

To be eligible for navy officer basic training you need to:
- be at least 17 years old
- have no criminal convictions
- have a minimum of NCEA Level 2 with 12 credits in English
- hold a current and clean driver’s licence
- be medically and physically fit
- be a New Zealand citizen, or a New Zealand residence class visa holder.
If you meet the criteria, you also need to:
- pass aptitude and fitness tests
- attend a formal interview for your selected trade .
Some trades differ in their age requirements, and may require you to have NCEA credits in specific subjects or a tertiary degree.
Read Also: Sears Military Discount Policy
What Is Permanent Commission In Education Branch
Officers in the Education Branch are responsible for scientific & methodical instruction and teaching which includes theoretical aspects of all Technical subjects taught in the Indian Navy. Education officers are also required to teach officers & sailors in the training establishments such as Naval College of Engineering, NDA, Naval Academy etc.
Working Hours And Conditions
Working Hours
Naval officers usually work eight-hour shifts, which would include weekends and public holidays, either onshore or at sea. You may be required to be on call outside of your designated shift hours, especially during operational situations on board ships or submarines.
Conditions
You must be prepared to move anywhere within Australia and overseas. Whilst serving at sea, you may be away from home for several months at a time, sometimes working in dangerous situations.
Also Check: Military Discounts Enterprise
Requirements For Officer School
Being a U.S. citizen and having a four-year college degree or higher are the bare minimum requirements for officer school. Beyond that, the selection process is highly competitive across service branches. Candidates must meet physical standards, may have to pass a qualifying test, and demonstrate that they have leadership ability, integrity, dependability, academic discipline and adaptability.