How To Become A United States Naval Officer (Active Duty or Reserve)

Last Updated on October 14, 2024

Looking for a job that’ll help you grow your skills, push you into leadership, and give you a serious adrenaline rush?

Well, you just found it.

As a United States Naval Officer…

You’ll be in charge of cutting-edge technology while traveling across the sea, flying through the air, diving below the ocean’s surface, and even crossing land. You’ll manage billions of dollars’ worth of high-tech ships, aircraft, and submarines. But even more important than that—you’ll lead U.S. Navy Sailors.

So, can you see yourself as a Navy Officer now?

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Take on huge responsibilities while your civilian friends are still trying to figure out how to get their careers going.

In just a few years, you’ll be doing more than most people accomplish in a lifetime.

But hold up—what’s in it for you?

Good question.

In this guide, you’ll get the full scoop on what it takes to become a Naval Officer. First, we’ll cover what you’ll gain from it, then we’ll dive straight into the details.

Summary of Benefits

From the start of your journey, your benefits will include:

  • Starting salary that competes with a mid-sized company
  • 30 days of earned paid vacation each year (plus virtually unlimited sick leave)
  • Tax-free allowance for housing and meals
  • Comprehensive medical and dental care (to include family coverage)
  • Thrift Savings Plan (like 401K)
  • Low-cost life insurance
  • Discounted shopping at military groceries and department stores
  • Retirement benefits when qualified
  • Continuation pays, bonuses, and regular promotions
  • Free tuition for advanced degree with monthly stipend (MGI Bill)

What is a Navy Officer?

The United States Navy employs the best and brightest men and women in the country.

Each Sailor and Naval Officer is a real professional in every meaning of the term, operating at the highest level in their daily lives.

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A Navy Officer is a leader of United States Navy Sailors and is a technical expert in her or his own field.

Navy Officer Types

Unrestricted Line Officer

Unrestricted Line Officers in the Navy can command ships, submarines, aircraft squadrons, fleets, and shore bases and have no restrictions on how they accomplish their duties. 

Surface Warfare Officers, Pilots, Navy Flight Officers, Aviation Support Officers, Submarine Officers, and Officers in Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations are all included in this category. 

They are commissioned through Navy OCS, the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, or the Naval Academy.

Restricted Line Officer

Restricted Line Officers in the Navy are assigned to aviation, engineering, aerospace engineering, or special duty assignments. 

Aviation Maintenance Officers, Cryptographic Support Specialists, Intelligence, Automatic Data Processing, Public Affairs, and Oceanography are just a few of the jobs available. 

They are also commissioned through Navy OCS, the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, or the Naval Academy.

Staff Corps Officer

Staff Corps Officers in the Navy are physicians, nurses, chaplains, attorneys, civil engineers, and others are specialists in subjects that are professions in and of themselves. 

They are commissioned through the Officer Development School or the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.

Also Read: Navy Engineering Jobs for Officer Applicants

Limited-Duty Officer

Limited Duty Officers (LDOs) are previously enlisted sailors who have been commissioned as officers after receiving substantial training and experience in their respective fields.

They are only allowed to carry out their responsibilities within the confines of their respective profession.

Navy Officer Jobs

Do you want a job that is not constrained by the confines of office routine?

The Navy has many job opportunities for you that can take you all over the world and back.

Here are some available Navy Officer Jobs:

You may also find a compiled list of age requirements here: Navy Officer Age Limit

Initial Training to Become a Navy Officer

While some people are born leaders, they must still learn the skills and knowledge required to lead.

Outstanding men and women develop their leadership abilities at Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Officer Development School (ODS), as well as the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and the Naval Academy, to lay a solid foundation for a successful career as a Naval Officer.

Officer Candidate School

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The 13-week Officer Candidate School (OCS) course at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island provides you with a working understanding of the Navy (afloat and ashore).

It prepares you to undertake the responsibilities of a Naval Officer and begin developing you to your full potential. Both emotionally and physically, the training is highly hard. 

You will be commissioned as a Navy Officer after successfully completing OCS.

You will be taught leadership skills, receive physical and military training, and study academics relating to ship and submarine command during your training time.

Also Read: Military Alphabet—Easy Guide for Officer Candidates

Academics

In OCS, you will learn:

  • Naval Leadership
  • Naval Administration
  • Naval Organization
  • Sea Power
  • Military Law
  • Military Indoctrination
  • Naval Warfare
  • Damage Control
  • Seamanship
  • Division Officer Leadership
  • Special Emphasis Program

The Division Officer Leadership Course, which takes place over the last two weeks of the course, will also provide you with more extensive Navy-specific leadership training.

Physical Training

You must pass a second Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) with a Satisfactory-Medium score on your fourth week of training.

Running four days a week and strength and conditioning activities two days a week will be part of the physical training. 

For the first four weeks, your run distance will be 1.5 miles, then three miles for the remaining eight weeks. All the running takes place on paved roads.

Please keep in mind that when reporting for Navy OCS, it is helpful to be in top physical condition to avoid an initial struggle.

Officer Development School

Officer Development School (ODS) is a 5-week training program held at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. 

ODS educates officers who have already been commissioned and are pursuing professions in fields such as nuclear engineering, chaplaincy, oceanography, or health care.

ODS provides an intensive introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers to newly commissioned officers. 

They learn about the U.S. Navy’s military organization, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development, and military etiquette here.

In a nutshell, it teaches you everything you need to know to start a rewarding career as an officer. As well as the opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Academics

In ODS, you will learn:

  • Naval Leadership
  • Naval Administration
  • Naval Organization
  • Sea Power
  • Military Law
  • Military Indoctrination
  • Naval Warfare
  • Damage Control
  • Seamanship
  • Division Officer Leadership
  • Special Emphasis Program

The Division Officer Leadership Course, which takes place over the last two weeks of the course, will also provide you with more extensive Navy-specific leadership training.

Physical Training

During ODS, you’ll take three Physical Readiness Tests (PRTs): one at the start (In PRT), one in the middle (Mid PRT), and the final one (Out PRT).

Each week, expect to do strength and conditioning exercises—things like push-ups, sit-ups, and more—about two to three times. Plus, you’ll be running three to four times a week. For the first two weeks, runs will be around 1.5 miles, but by weeks three through five, you’ll be running about three miles each time. And yeah, all the running is done on paved roads.

It’s super important to arrive in good shape so you don’t have a tough time right off the bat!

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is all about developing college students by building them up morally, mentally, and physically with the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

The program gets young men and women ready for leadership roles in the Navy and Marine Corps, where things are becoming more and more technical.

Right now, more than 160 schools and universities offer the NROTC program. After a tough national selection process, chosen applicants can get full tuition and other financial benefits at some of the top schools across the country.

Academics

NROTC students get training in the following areas besides their regular school load:

  • Introduction to Naval Science
  • Sea Power and Maritime Affairs 
  • Leadership and Management
  • Navigation
  • Naval Ship Systems I (Engineering)
  • Evolution of Warfare
  • Naval Ship Systems II (Weapons Systems)
  • Naval Operations and Seamanship
  • Leadership and Ethics
  • Evolution of Amphibious Warfare
  • Senior Naval Science Seminar
  • Special Emphasis Program

Physical Training

NROTC students engage in frequent physical training sessions throughout their collegiate careers.

Naval Academy

Another option for becoming a Navy officer is to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA). Visit usna.edu for more information on this path.

Application Process to Become a Navy Officer

Here are the step-by-step procedures if you wish to apply to become a United States Naval Officer, along with various commissioning requirements:

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

You must first determine your eligibility to compete for a Navy Officer position.

The basic eligibility requirements for each Navy Officer program are:

Unrestricted Line

Restricted Line

Staff Corps

Step 2: Prepare your professional resume

If you have not prepared a current resume or curriculum vitae, it is best to start now. Once you contact your local recruiter, they will ask you for your current resume before you can apply for Navy Officer jobs.

Your local officer recruiter may even ask you for a resume that is signed and dated by hand.

Step 3: Contact local officer recruiter

You then must contact your local officer recruiter. They will be able to provide you with the current Navy Officer job availability, and any other nuanced requirements for the upcoming Navy Officer selection boards.

The recruiter will ask you to provide basic identification documents as proof of eligibility (e.g., birth certificate, passport, social security card, etc.), along with your college transcripts and current resume.

Step 4: Take the required aptitude exam

Once the officer recruiter verifies your basic eligibility for Naval Officer programs, they will schedule you to take the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) exam – if you are applying for a general officer position.

If you are otherwise applying for an aviation job, such as Navy Pilot or Naval Flight Officer, the recruiter will schedule you to take the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) exam.

Also Read: Navy OAR Score Requirements (Comprehensive List)

Step 5: Complete Navy NASIS

Prior to commissioning, a National Agency Check, Local Check inquiry, or its equivalent must be completed.

The Navy Accessions Security Information System (NASIS) collects information from prospective Naval Officers to launch personal security investigations for all Navy personnel. 

To begin an inquiry, the information for a security clearance investigation is submitted to the Defense Information System for Security (DISS). 

NASIS is the Navy’s data collecting mechanism for security clearances, and it communicates with DISS.

Prior to commissioning, all future Navy Officers must complete the SF-86 request for security clearance and have an open investigation. 

Your recruiter will provide you guidance on how to log-in to your NASIS account. You must complete this as accurately as possible.

Step 6: Complete Physical Exam at MEPS

Once you submit all medical paperwork to your officer recruiter, they will schedule you for your full physical exam at MEPS.

MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Stations) are joint-service facilities run by the Department of Defense that employ both military and civilian personnel who evaluate applicants based on their physical qualities, intelligence, and moral standards as defined by each branch of military service.

Hotel accommodation may be available for MEPS upon request.

Step 7: Acquire professional references

Navy Officer program applicants may gain endorsements from Senior Navy Officers or senior enlisted, whether active duty, reserve, or retired, to be included in the application.

It is recommended to include at least three but no more than five professional references in Navy Officer applications, so the selection board may have a broader third-person perspective of the applicant.

Step 8: Write a motivational statement

The Officer Selection Board receives complete information about you from the Application Processing and Summary Record (APSR).

Within the APSR form, there is space to write a motivational statement. You must ensure that your motivational statement fits within the allotted space in the APSR form.

Your motivational statement should answer the following questions:

  • Why do you want to be a Naval Officer?
  • What do you offer to the Navy?
  • Why should the selection board choose you?

Step 9: Complete application paperwork

At this point, your officer recruiter will present you with some paperwork that is required to be submitted with your Naval Officer program application.

Complete these forms accurately and promptly.

Once complete, your application for the Navy Officer program of your choice will be submitted to the specific officer community’s selection board.

Selection results typically are released 30 to 45 days after the Navy Officer selection board convening date.

Be diligent and pay attention to disqualifying factors. Your package is your only representation on the selection board, so bring your best foot forward.

Step 10: Start your training

  • If you have a college degree, attend either ODS or OCS.
  • If you are pursuing your degree, train concurrently with the NROTC.
  • If you have a college degree, and you are joining the Navy Reserve, attend ODS.

Navy Reserve Officer Programs

This section of the guide provides helpful information for those looking to become a Naval Officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

Thousands of men and women serving around the world make the Navy Reserve a significant military force—and an important asset for the U.S. Navy.

This is your opportunity to have it all as an Officer in America’s Navy Reserve.

You will discover firsthand how a part-time commitment yields long-term outcomes and rewards. Use the same training and chances as your active-duty peers.

Set Your Own Terms

Set a goal for yourself to reach the same high standards and requirements. You will be a fully integrated member of the United States Navy.

As a Navy Reserve Officer, you will offer the critical leadership required to protect national security and support our country’s interests across the globe.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve your nation while advancing your civilian career.

You will have access to excellent training and leadership development opportunities, which will help you advance in both the Navy and your civilian job.

The Navy will work with you to make your Reserve time as flexible as possible. It really represents the finest of both worlds. You serve your nation while being loyal to yourself.

Since 1915, the Navy Reserve has provided men and women like you with a heritage founded on honor, courage, and commitment.

The Navy Reserve is now a highly trained, well-equipped, combat-ready force capable of deploying quickly and efficiently in times of peace and conflict.

Whether you have already served in the Armed Forces or are new to the military, as an Officer you will offer the professional, scientific, and technical leadership required by the Navy and Navy Reserve’s tremendous array of challenges both onshore and at sea.

Big Responsibilities Come with Big Rewards

Share the unparalleled feeling of satisfaction and success that comes from being a part of something genuinely significant. Develop and develop abilities that can help you in your civilian job.

Create connections that will endure a lifetime.

And you will accomplish it all while maintaining your ties to family, community, and job. It just takes one weekend per month and two weeks per year to make a significant impact.

Find a new meaning of success in America’s Navy Reserve for your nation and your future.

Navy Reserve Officer Direct Commission

As a college-educated professional in one of the Navy Reserve’s specialized areas, you may be appointed as a Direct Commission Officer.

Direct Commission Officers apply their skills and experience to safeguard our country’s safety and security. You will also be accountable for the well-being and performance of the men and women who work for you.

Direct commissions are offered to US citizens with the following key expertise:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Dental
  • Engineering
  • Human Resources
  • Information Professional
  • Information Warfare
  • Intelligence
  • Medical
  • Nursing
  • Oceanography
  • Public Affairs
  • SEAL
  • Strategic Sealift
  • Supply

Also Read: Strategic Sealift Officer (U.S. Navy Reserve)

If you presently have an Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) commission, you may join America’s Navy Reserve via the NAVET program.

Veteran officers with commissions from other branches of the military may seek a direct commission in the Navy Reserve via the Inter-service Transfer Program. Most of the time, you will keep your old rank.

For further information on how these programs may apply to you, contact your Navy Reserve Officer recruiter.

Service Benefits

As a Navy Reserve Officer, you will oversee men and women who have vowed to protect their country. It is a tremendous duty – and a tremendous privilege.

Of course, the benefits of overcoming such a difficulty are enormous.

For those who have previously served in the military, the Navy Reserve allows you to keep your rank while earning points toward retirement.

Service provides a feeling of pride and achievement for newly commissioned officers, while also allowing you to develop the technical and leadership abilities necessary to further your civilian career.

In exchange for your devotion and commitment, the Navy Reserve will give you with the following perks that will benefit both your military and civilian lives:

  • Receive four days of basic pay for only two days worked each drill weekend
  • Tricare Healthcare Insurance
  • Special pay incentives may be available for officers possessing certain in-demand skill sets
  • VA home loans
  • Low-cost insurance options, including up to $400,000 in life insurance
  • Educational financial assistance
  • Military Commissary and Navy Exchange privileges for you and your family
  • Access to Officers’ Clubs worldwide
  • Retirement benefits

Navy Reserve Officer Jobs

Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO)

AEDOs offer professional management and technical leadership across the full air weapon system acquisition process, from design through manufacturing and product enhancements of Naval aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles.

Billets account for over one-third of AEDO billets. New aircraft, weaponry, support activities, headquarters, research, development, test and evaluation, manufacture, and production are all tested and evaluated by AEDO.

All freshly commissioned officers will attend Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island for five weeks.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science or engineering from an approved institution is necessary, and a master’s degree in the same specialization is strongly recommended.

Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AMDO)

AMDOs coordinate the creation, establishment, and execution of maintenance and material management policies and procedures for the support of naval aircraft, airborne weapons, attendant systems, and associated support equipment on a full-time basis.

AMDOs are active in all elements of material procurement and support as top-level Program Managers at NAVAIR and as Commanding Officers of the Naval Aviation Depots, besides working in fleet maintenance organizations across the fleet.

A Baccalaureate degree in Engineering, The Physical Sciences, Business Administration, or Management is necessary, and a master’s degree in the same specializations is strongly desirable.

Selected candidates must attend/complete the five-week Officer Development School (during the first year), the Aviation Maintenance Officer (AMO) School, and the Joint Aviation Supply and Maintenance Material Management (JASMMM) course (within the first two years).

Chaplain Corps

Ministers, priests, and rabbis in the Chaplain Corps provide pastoral counseling, religious instruction, and religious services to military troops and their families.

Without previous military experience, Navy Reserve Chaplains must undergo a seven-week training at Navy Chaplains School in Newport, Rhode Island.

This course may be completed in two sections over the course of two years.

All applicants must hold a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree, as well as approval from an ecclesiastical organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board.

Civil Engineer Corps

Officers in the Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) oversee the building and upkeep of Navy and Marine Corps shore infrastructure.

CEC Officers may oversee the building and maintenance of a broad range of facilities, including schools, streets, parks, hospitals, industries, research centers, power systems, harbors, and airports across the globe – as well as the Navy’s forestry and oil and mineral assets.

CEC Officers are also in charge of commanding the Seabees, the Navy and Marine Corps’ military construction unit.

A Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET or NAAB-accredited institution is necessary, ideally in civil, architecture, mechanical, electrical, industrial, construction, ocean, or environmental.

Cryptologic Warfare Officers

The Navy Reserve Security Group trains Cryptologic Warfare Officers, who specialize in the production of deciphering or coded communications, to operate and maintain a broad range of specialized electronic equipment.

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and have completed a Tier 5 (T5) inquiry; desirable majors include physics, arithmetic, foreign language, political science, geography, economics, or history.

Engineering Duty Officers

Engineering in the Navy Reserve is divided into three categories: fleet maintenance support, research and development, and the design and purchase of new ships, submarines, and propulsion systems.

Officers who have just been commissioned attend the Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Subsequent Annual Training sessions will take place at Navy shipyards, sea tours, and mobilization sites, as well as other designator-specific training courses in a variety of places.

A calculus-based bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, metallurgy, or naval architecture is required.

A master’s degree in engineering, professional engineer registration, or active enrollment in an engineering master’s degree program are also necessary.

Information Professionals

Information Professional Officers are Cyberspace Defensive Operations and Communications Officers in the Navy, with subject matter expertise in networks, satellite communications, computer systems, cyber defense, information and knowledge management, and command and control.

This group oversees the operation, upkeep, and development of innovative cyberspace systems, as well as global telecommunications and space systems built to function in harsh environments ranging from the deep ocean to outer space.

Degrees in information systems, cyber security, computer, electrical, or systems engineering, or other STEM/technical subjects are recommended but not essential.

Candidates may be required to have certain IP certifications, such as CISSP, Network+, Security+, and CCNA.

Intelligence Officers

Intelligence Officers are specialists in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information to operational warfare commanders.

Consider the use of tactical and space-based imaging, computers, radar, acoustic sensors, and electronic signal surveillance to evaluate intelligence data to support Counterterrorism, Homeland Defense, and different military operations throughout the world.

Intelligence Officers come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Degrees in math, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, political science, business management, foreign area studies, Navy/military history, international relations, or foreign languages are encouraged but not needed.

Applicants will be assessed based on the “whole person” concept.

Advanced degrees and/or expertise in these subjects are highly sought for.

Judge Advocate General (JAG)

JAGs are Navy attorneys. The Direct Appointment Program (DA) of the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps allows lawyers to be appointed directly into the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps as lieutenants (junior grade) in the United States Naval Reserve for eight years, with at least one year active in any Navy rate.

The one-year cumulative active-duty requirement may include any combination of active service from active duty or as a Reserve member, such as Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW)/Active Duty for Training (ADT)/Annual Training (AT)/or Reserve Mobilization orders.

Must be presently practicing in federal/state court and have a Bar license.

Oceanography (METOC)

Oceanography Officers ensure the safety and readiness of the Navy’s fleet and shore assets.

They employ physical sciences to assist Navy strategy and tactics, such as oceanography, meteorology, and geospatial information and services.

They also examine and expect environmental implications on Navy platforms, weapons systems, and sensors from design through development, testing, and deployment.

A bachelor’s degree in meteorology, oceanography, mathematics, geodesy, astronomy, physics, geophysics, or engineering is required.

Public Affairs Officers (PAO)

The Public Affairs team serves as the Navy and Navy Reserve’s eyes and ears, delivering visual, audio, and textual information to internal and public audiences.

A bachelor’s degree in mass communications, journalism, photojournalism, marketing, advertising, radio/TV, public relations, film production, or a similar profession is necessary.

Supply Corps Officers

Supply Corps Officers are the Navy’s business managers, in charge of purchasing, contracting, inventory control, storage, transportation, financial management, auditing, merchandising, computer systems, and other related areas.

All applicants must attend Supply Corps Officers School in Newport, RI for two consecutive periods, followed by 15 months of rigorous correspondence course work.

Surface Warfare Officers (SWO)

Surface Warfare is the foundation for maritime domination. Surface Warfare handles the complete spectrum of Navy tasks.

Surface Warfare is responsible for anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-air warfare (AAW), land attack, theater air missile defense (TAMD), and support for Marine Corps objectives.

Navy Reserve Officer Medical Jobs

You are no stranger to the difficulties and possibilities of civilian practice as a healthcare practitioner.

With your medical knowledge and expertise, you have the potential to make a big and long-lasting effect wherever you go.

Are you willing to try something new?

You will take your medical knowledge to new heights in the Navy Reserve, as well as encounter scenarios you have never seen before:

  • Surface Warfare Operations
  • Fleet Marine Force Operations

Qualified healthcare professionals may be directly assigned as Commissioned Officers in the Navy Reserve, where they will operate in an exclusive medical community with recognized experts in practically every subject.

Our medical professionals may use both their civilian and military experiences thanks to various training opportunities.

The Navy Reserve provides an unequaled feeling of satisfaction and pleasure in knowing that you genuinely make a difference in a wide range of clinical, academic, and operational contexts.

Medical Corps

Physicians in the Medical Corps provide the best quality medical treatment to Navy, Navy Reserve, and Marine Corps personnel, as well as their families.

They employ some of the most modern medical treatments and procedures while practicing in hospitals and clinics, onboard Navy ships across the globe, and in support of Marine Corps and Navy Construction Battalion personnel during operational training exercises.

The rank of an officer upon commissioning is determined by education, medical training, experience, and current Navy policies. Physicians in important specialties may also be eligible for financial incentives.

Medical Service Corps

The Navy Reserve provides Allied Health Professionals with the chance to become Commissioned Officers in the Medical Service Corps, providing you with a depth and breadth of expertise unequaled in the civilian sector while serving your nation in a genuine leadership role.

The Medical Service Corps comprises clinical, scientific, and administrative experts in a wide range of healthcare sectors, with a primary concentration on management, research, direct patient care, nutrition, environmental support services, and administration.

Dental Corps

The Navy Reserve provides dentists with unique training opportunities, professional difficulties, and obligations that go well beyond the boundaries of civilian dentistry.

In times of national disaster, Dental Corps Officers supplement the Medical Corps to offer mass casualty and trauma treatment to Navy and Marine Corps soldiers.

Reserve Dental Officers often train in local Navy and dental facilities, as well as onboard ships and at Fleet Hospitals.

Annual training locations range from contemporary and well-equipped facilities to harsh environmental outdoor circumstances.

Nurse Corps

You will be a significant part of a respected team of healthcare professionals – and an Officer – if you join the Navy Reserve Nurse Corps.

Our nurses like assignments that include the whole scope of nursing practice, from medical and surgical through critical care, perioperative, anesthesia, and administration. You may pursue advanced nursing study.

The Navy Reserve offers tremendous chances for professional growth in new and fascinating situations, as well as the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to serve your nation.

To be eligible, you must have a current nursing license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Financial incentive schemes for competent Nurse Corps Officers in essential specialties may be provided.

What To Expect Upon Commissioning

As a freshly commissioned Navy Officer, your first duty will be to attend Officer Development School (ODS) at Newport, Rhode Island. You will learn about the Navy and Navy Reserve’s history, traditions, and organization.

In most circumstances, after successfully completing ODS, you will report to the Navy or Navy Reserve location nearest to your residence.

On weekends, you will often workout at the local facility. Consequently, you will not miss crucial events in your life – or in your civilian profession. You will get to feel connected to your family while also helping to keep America secure.

During your two weeks of Annual Training, you will have the opportunity to travel. Travel to nearly any location on the planet, from regional bases and air stations to Navy boats hundreds of kilometers distant.

You may travel the globe as a Direct Commission Officer in the Navy Reserve… without leaving your life behind.

Service Obligation

Officers in the United States Navy Reserve appreciate the pride, camaraderie, and feeling of success that only comes from serving their nation.

Full membership requires just one weekend per month and two weeks of Annual Training per year.

Weekend drills are often held at a Navy location near to your home to ensure that your duty never means abandoning links to your family, community, or civilian employment.

Annual Training, on the other hand, may take you almost anywhere in the world.

Your service as an Officer may take you to the furthest reaches of the globe for two weeks each year, exposing you to opportunities and experiences unlike any other.

Most officers complete their obligations on “traditional” drill weekends. Others may serve throughout the week if their civilian jobs make weekend duty impossible.

The initial service commitment for Direct Commission Officers (Navy Reserve) is eight years.

During this period, you will earn points toward retirement and have several prospects for advancement – all while developing the confidence, leadership, and competence to propel your civilian career to new heights.

Get More Information

If you want more information about becoming a United States Naval Officer, the next logical step is to contact a Naval Officer Recruiter.

Let us figure out how you can benefit from becoming a Navy Officer—or if it is even the right career move for you.

You may also find more detailed information in our guide—Naval Officer Programs — where you will find the entry requirements and service time commitments (and much more information) for all the officer jobs in the U.S. Navy.

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