Last Updated on October 14, 2024
This guide is here to help those interested in getting a Navy commission through the Engineering Duty Officer In-Service Procurement Program (EDO IPP) for Fiscal Year 2025.
The EDO IPP offers a path for enlisted members from the Navy’s diving community—like Diver Second Class (M2DV), Diver First Class (M1DV), or Master Diver (MMDV)—to earn a commission with designator 1460. Keep in mind, this program only applies to the Navy’s Active Component.
Engineering Duty Officer
An Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) is a technical job within the Naval Surface Forces’ Engineering, Construction, and Maintenance Department.
EDOs provide engineering oversight, guidance, direction, and support for all engineering, construction, and maintenance-related onboard activities.
The primary responsibilities of an EDO comprise coordinating the design and installation of complex ship systems, developing technical criteria for various engineering projects, analyzing reports on the ship’s condition, monitoring maintenance activities, and leading departmental teams in their research endeavors.
EDOs also inspect known or fault areas relating to ship performance or operations and analyze nonconformity concerns or conditions in relation to safety standards and procedures. In addition, they offer guidance on structural repair needs and design plans for environmental compliance.
Throughout their tours of duty, EDOs work closely with field Data Systems Technicians to get an actual knowledge of communication interface systems.
In addition, they serve as liaison officers between officers outside the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) who may have jurisdiction over certain mechanical components or systems aboard a vessel, such as pilothouse equipment, anchors & chains, fixtures, wiring harnesses, etc., once these items have been deemed applicable by fully qualified personnel.
In addition, they carry out other supervisory duties, such as, but not limited to, case reviews that contribute to the overall operational efficiency and objective evaluations, when applicable.
Basic Program Requirements
The requirements below are current as of July 2022, per the Navy Personnel Command. No updates have been issued thus far.
| Citizenship | Applicants must be citizens of the United States. |
| Gender | This program has no gender restrictions. |
| Age | Applicants must be under the age of 42 at the time of commissioning. This requirement cannot be waived. |
| Education | A baccalaureate degree in engineering or physical science from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or a regionally accredited institution or university is required. Naval architecture; engineering (mechanical, electrical, industrial, aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical, civil, chemical, computer, general, nuclear, ocean, marine, materials and systems); physics; chemistry; computer science; metallurgical, ceramics, polymers, or materials science/engineering; and mathematics are approved bachelor’s degree fields of study (subject to a curriculum review). Engineering technology and engineering management degrees are not included as bachelor’s degree areas. Minimum criteria include a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale overall grade point average, a “C+” average in a mathematics series, and a “C+” average in a physics course. The baccalaureate requirement is superseded by a Master of Science degree or higher in engineering or physical science from a regionally approved college or university. This requirement cannot be waived. |
| Physical | All applicants must be able to pass a physical screening exam under MILPERSMAN 1220-410 Sea-Air-Land (SEAL)/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)/Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC)/Diver/Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) Physical Screening Testing Standards and Procedures. Candidates should aim to meet far more than the bare minimum. According to Chapter 15 of the Medical Department Manual, selectees must keep their eligibility for worldwide assignment. Selectees must meet the medical requirements for diving duty as outlined in NAVMED P-117. This requirement cannot be waived. |
Additional Requirements
After completing the complete training pipeline, all officers will be detailed to their first operational tour.
Applicants who want to become EDOs through the EDO IPP must have one of the enlisted Navy Diver NECs (M2DV, M1DV, or MMDV) and less than 12 years of active duty service.
Besides the officer appraisal sheets from OPNAVINST 1420.1B, all applicants must have an interview performed by a certified EDO salvage officer and endorsed by the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (NAVSEA 00C). The Engineering Duty Officer Community Manager will coordinate the interviews.
Waivers
Because of the program’s unique requirements, no exemptions will be granted for any of the qualification requirements.
Who May Apply
Applicants must still be serving on active duty in the United States Navy or Navy Reserve, including Full-Time Support, Selected Reserve, and active duty Navy Reservists (active duty operational support). Active duty Navy Reserve applicants for training, including annual training and initial active duty for training, are ineligible.
Upon Commissioning
Officer Candidate School (OCS) will be completed at Officer Training Command in Newport, RI.
The Navy OCS is a 12-week curriculum that prepares individuals for the challenges of becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Candidates will learn about naval history, customs and etiquette, leadership concepts, and other topics important for success as an EDO during OCS. Candidates who successfully complete OCS will be commissioned as Ensigns in the United States Navy.
Selectees with only the M2DV NEC must attend the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL, for the Joint Diving Officer training.
The Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center is the Navy’s primary training facility for diving and salvage operations. The Joint Diving Officer (JDO) course equips officers for the challenges of leading divers in underwater operations.
Applicants in paygrade E4 or below who are selected for the program are designated officer candidates and promoted to paygrade E5 upon reporting to OCS. In their current paygrades, enlisted applicants of paygrade E5 and above are designated officer candidates.
Successful candidates will be commissioned in the U.S. Navy’s Restricted Line as an Ensign, Designator (1460).
Prior enlisted personnel with acceptable service records are assigned the O-1E paygrade and paid as such.
Service Obligation
Officers incur a four-year obligation beginning on the date of their appointment (OPNAVINST 1420.1B, Chapter 1, Paragraph 2a (2)). Officers will incur an extra three-year commitment, concurrent with their minimum service obligation from commissioning, upon completion of their master’s degree.
