Last Updated on October 14, 2024
If you’re thinking about becoming a Naval Officer and want to know the age limit for commissioning in the U.S. Navy, you’re in the right place.
I’ve put together the age requirements for all Navy Officer Programs below, based on the official Navy guidelines for Fiscal Year 2025.
For more detailed steps on how to start your journey, check out the Quick Guide: How To Become a Naval Officer. It breaks everything down, step by step.
And if you’ve got any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Navy Officer Recruiter—they’re there to help!
Navy Officer Program Age Requirements (In Years)
| GENERAL OFFICER PROGRAM | AGE REQUIREMENT |
| Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) | 19-29 |
| Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) | 19-29 – waiverable to 31 |
| Nuclear Power Instructor (NR ENG) | 19-29 – waiverable to 40 |
| Special Warfare (SPECWAR/SEAL) | 19-29 |
| Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) | 19-42 |
| Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) | 22-54 |
| Surface Warfare Engineering Duty Officer (SWO-EDO) | 19-32 |
| Submarine Engineering Duty Officer (SUB-EDO) | 17-25 * |
| Supply Corps Officer (SC) | 19-37 – waiverable to 42 |
| Public Affairs Officer (PAO) | 19-37 |
| Civil Engineer Corps Officer (CEC) | 19-36 – waiverable to 54 |
| Aviation Officer Candidate (AOC) Pilot or NFO Training | 19-32 |
| Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) | 19-42 |
| Intelligence Officer (INTEL) | at least 18 |
| Oceanography Officer (OCEANO) | 18-42 |
| Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CW) | 18-42 |
| Information Professional (IP) | 18-42 |
| Chaplain Corps Officer (CHC) | Up to 58 – waiverable |
| Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) | 21-42 |
| Cyber Warfare Engineer (CWE) | 18-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO) | 18-42 – waiverable |
Also Read: Navy OAR Score Requirements
| MEDICAL OFFICER PROGRAM | AGE REQUIREMENT |
| Medical Corps (MC) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Dental Corps (DC) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Medical Service Corps (MSC) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Nurse Corps (NC) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RNA) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Financial Assistance Program (Medical Corps) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Financial Assistance Program (Dental Corps) | Up to 42 – waiverable |
| Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) | 18-42 |
Also Read: Navy OCS Guide for Officer Applicants
| NAVY RESERVE OFFICER PROGRAM | AGE REQUIREMENT |
| Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) Reserve | 19-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Supply Corps Officer (SC) Reserve | 19-42 – waiverable to 52 |
| Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Reserve | 21-42 – waiverable to 50 |
| Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) Reserve | 19-42 – waiverable to 50 |
| Pilot or Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Reserve Other Service Veteran (OSVET) | 21-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) Reserve | 19-42 – waiverable to 50 |
| Intelligence Officer (INTEL) Reserve | 18-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Oceanography Officer (OCEANO) Reserve | 18-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CW) Reserve | 18-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Information Professional (IP) Reserve | 18-42 – waiverable to 54 |
| Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps Reserve Student Program | 21-42 |
| Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps Reserve | 21-42 – waiverable to 52 |
| Chaplain Candidate Program Officers (CCPO) | 21-38 – waiverable |
| Human Resources (HR) Officer Reserve | 21-42 – waiverable to 52 |
| Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) Reserve | 19-42 – waiverable to 50 |
NOTE: These requirements may change without notice. Contact your local Naval Officer recruiter for the most current Navy Officer Program requirements.
Mind you, age is only one of the requirements for Navy Officer programs. There are various other aspects to Navy Officer applications, and hence many opportunities for mistakes when you apply.
