Last Updated on October 14, 2024
This guide provides useful information that will help you with your decision to become a Navy Information Professional Officer during Fiscal Year 2025.
As you will see, there are a lot of aspects to this officer program.
Let us start with the basic descriptions.
What is a Navy Information Professional Officer?
Navy Information Professionals (IPs) are Restricted Line Officers who are in charge of the Navy’s networks, cyber defense, computer systems, information and knowledge management, satellite communications, and Command and Control, among many others.
They are the Navy’s Communications and Cyberspace Defensive Operations Officers.
The designator code for Navy IP officers is 1820.
IPs are expected to use their skills to help with maritime operations, from coordination with allies to humanitarian aid and disaster relief, to protecting the country from terrorism and combat operations.
IP officers help our naval forces figure out what they need in order to be able to use command and control effectively at all levels of war, no matter what.
Officers in this community are in charge of making sure that cutting-edge cyberspace systems, global telecommunications systems, and space systems work well even in the most difficult places, like the deep ocean and outer space.
IP officers are both technically skilled and good at communicating.
They can turn complicated technical issues into information that is useful for naval and joint commanders.
IPs know what the Naval Commander wants, so they use technology, information, and knowledge to make sure command and control is strong, the battle space is aware, and the mission goes well.
IP officers plan, acquire, integrate, operate, maintain, and secure networks, communications, and combat systems that support the Navy’s missions.
They make sure they are reliable, available, survivable, and secure, so the Navy can do its job.
Navy IPs are in charge of “Defensive Cyberspace Operations,” which protect Navy information and systems from cyber attackers and keep operations and missions going.
IPs are very important because they help the other services in the Department of Defense, other government agencies, Allied, and Coalition partners work together.
What Does a Navy Information Professional Do?
Information professionals (IPs) have jobs that are getting tougher by the day, both on land and at sea.
When stationed on shore, they might work in C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), Space, or Surveillance. They could also be part of Battle Group Staffs on ships or serve on major Navy and Joint Staffs. They often lead vital communication and surveillance facilities all over the world.
Their main job? Keeping the flow of information smooth and secure. IP officers are the first line of defense for Navy networks, they design future network systems, and they make sure that Navy tech and systems all work well together.
As experts in information systems, command and control, and space systems, IPs use technology and data to dominate the battle space and ensure mission success.
IPs are leaders in the Information Dominance Corps (IDC), a group of highly skilled info experts working across air, sea, space, subsurface, and cyber domains. By sharing skills and resources, IDC members help make faster and better decisions, while maximizing sensors, weapons, communication networks, and control systems to boost national security and win wars.
The work of IPs is key for decision-making, gathering intelligence, understanding the maritime environment, and knowing how ships operate.
As an IP, you’ll help plan and build the Navy’s networks and systems that support both operations and business processes. You’ll be responsible for leading the Navy’s network warfare missions, developing the tactics and techniques that ensure the Navy’s success, both at sea and on land. You’ll also be in charge of making sure the Navy’s overall organization runs at its best.
How to Become a Navy Information Professional
If you are interested in becoming a Navy Information Professional officer, you must first be aware that earning a commission in the United States Navy is very competitive, especially the Navy IP officer program.
Note that this is slightly different from applying for a civilian public affairs position because Navy IPs directly affect national security.
Know that you will be held to a higher standard of performance and behavior compared to your civilian counterparts.
If that did not deflate you, you may have the right sense of pride and integrity for this job.
To become a Navy Information Professional Officer, applicants must be American citizens who are 18 to 42 years old with at least a Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Navy IP applicants must also score at least a 50 on the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) exam and have professional experience in fields such as cybersecurity, network operations, or communications.
Here are the step-by-step procedures to become a Navy IP officer, along with the various Navy Information Professional Officer requirements:
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
You must first determine your eligibility to compete for a Navy IP position before contacting your recruiter.
The basic eligibility requirements for the Navy IP officer program listed below are current as of May 2022, per the Navy Personnel Command. No updates have been issued so far.
Navy Information Professional Eligibility Requirements
| Citizenship | Navy IP officer program applicants must be U.S. citizens. The fact that you are both a US citizen and a citizen of another country does not mean you will not be able to get selected. |
| Age | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not more than 42 years old when they are commissioned. |
| Education | You need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Majors like electrical engineering, computer science, or cybersecurity give you a better shot, though they aren’t required. You need a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, but it can be waived down to 2.5. It’s also a plus if you’ve taken Calculus I and II and calculus-based physics with at least a “C” average. |
| Physical | In accordance with the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15, selects must be able to serve at sea and around the world. |
| Aptitude | IP officer program applicants must take the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) test. A score of 50 or more is required. This is waiverable. |
| Work Experience | Having experience in areas like cybersecurity, network operations, or communications is super important. If you’ve got one or more of these Navy-preferred certifications, you’ll stand out even more: GIAC, Global Security Leadership Certification, Certified Information Security Manager, CompTIA Security+, or GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF). |
| Leadership | Having a quantifiable record of leadership, management, or supervisory experience in academia, civilian, or military organizations is very important. |
| Security Clearance | To apply, you need to be eligible to access classified info and meet the government standards set by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 704. If you’re recommended for a commission, you’ll also need to meet with the local special security officer before being selected as an officer candidate. |
| Time in Service | Enlisted folks from the regular Navy, Navy Reserve (whether active or inactive), or other military branches can’t have more than 72 months of qualifying service. Waivers can be granted for up to 120 months of service, but no more than that. |
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 in order to apply for the IP officer program.
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 IP officer position availability, and any other nuanced requirements for the upcoming Navy Information Professional Officer selection board.
The recruiter will ask you to provide basic identification documents as proof of eligibility (eg. birth certificate, passport, social security card, etc.), along with your college transcripts and current resume.
Step 4: Take the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR)
Once the officer recruiter verifies your basic eligibility, they will schedule you to take the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) exam.
An OAR score of 50 or more is required for all IP applicants. This requirement may be waived.
The most important thing you can actually control is your OAR score. It’s the main way they compare all the applicants.
To maximize your chances of obtaining an exceptional OAR score, we only recommend this OAR Study Guide for your success. All others are mediocre at best.
Step 5: Complete Navy NASIS
Before you can be commissioned, a background check, like a National Agency Check or something similar, has to be done.
The Navy uses the Navy Accessions Security Information System (NASIS) to gather info from future officers to kick off personal security investigations for everyone in the Navy.
To start the process, the details for your security clearance investigation get sent to the Defense Information System for Security (DISS).
NASIS is how the Navy gathers and sends your security clearance data to DISS.
All future Navy Officers need to fill out the SF-86 form for security clearance and have an active investigation going before getting commissioned.
Your recruiter will help you with logging into your NASIS account, and you need to be super careful to get it all right.
Step 6: Complete Physical Exam at MEPS
After you turn in all your medical paperwork to your officer recruiter, they’ll set up your full physical exam at MEPS.
MEPS, or Military Entrance Processing Stations, are run by the Department of Defense and staffed with both military and civilian workers.
They check out your physical health, smarts, and moral standards, based on what each branch of the military requires.
If you need it, you might be able to request a hotel stay for your MEPS visit.
Step 7: Acquire professional references
Navy IP officer program applicants may acquire endorsements from Senior Navy Officers or senior enlisted, whether active duty, reserve, or retired, to be included in the application.
Prior or current work supervisors or college professors are typical references of Navy Officer applicants.
Step 8: Write motivational statement
The Officer Selection Board gets all your details from the Application Processing and Summary Record (APSR).
In that form, there’s a spot for a motivational statement. Make sure your statement fits in the space they give you on the APSR form.
Your motivational statement should answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to be a Navy Information Professional Officer?
- 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 application.
Complete these forms as accurately and promptly as you can.
Once complete, your application for the Navy IP program will be submitted to the Navy Information Professional Officer selection board.
Selection results typically are released 30 to 45 days after the Navy Information Professional Officer selection board convening date.
Navy Information Professional Service Obligation
Selects will have to be on active duty for four years from the date they are commissioned.
The obligation starts when the person is commissioned.
The rest of the service, enough to complete the 8 years of obligated service, can be served in a ready reserve status.
Navy Information Professional Training
Officer Candidate School (OCS) is required for anyone who wants to be an Information Professional Officer. It is in Newport, RI.
Also Read: Navy OCS Guide for Officer Applicants
After they finish the Navy OCS, they usually go to Virginia Beach, VA, for a 5-week IP Basic Course before or during their first job.
IPs then have to meet certain standards as part of their operational training while on Fleet tours.
They are also expected to look for more advanced education opportunities.
In the course of their work, they might be able to get credentials and certifications from a number of national boards and organizations.
Promotions happen all the time, but they are competitive and based on how well you do.
Officer Candidate School
The Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) is one of 4 officer training schools at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. It is one of the four schools.
This 13-week course is meant to give you a working knowledge of the Navy, both afloat and on land, so that you can get a job with the world’s best Navy.
This is what you need to do in order to get that honor. In order to get that honor, OCS will make sure that you can be both a good leader and a good naval officer all over the world.
At OCS, your personal Honor, Courage, and Commitment will be put to the test.
You will be asked to live up to the highest standards of these values.
Navy IP Officer Training Pipeline
New IP officers go to a lot of training courses:
The Information Professional Basic course is 20 weeks in Virginia Beach, VA, before you start your first job.
Among the topics covered in the class are fleet communications, networks, and cybersecurity.
The Information Warfare Basic Course teaches new officers about the wide range of skills that make up the community of people who work in the field of information warfare.
The Division Officer Leadership Course helps new officers get ready for their new jobs.
Navy Information Professional Career Opportunities
All over the world, IP Officers work in communications and networks.
They work on ships at sea and in units ashore, special forces, Cyber Mission Forces, the White House Communications Agency, and on major Navy and Joint staffs.
This is true for IP jobs as well. It does not matter if you live in Norfolk or San Diego or Pearl Harbor.
IPs are stationed at all the Navy’s big bases. All of these command staffs, as well as NATO, have IPs.
There are also IPs in Joint and Coalition commands, like the Joint Staff and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).
IP officers must pass a series of IP-related tests and become Information Warfare Officers in order to work for the government.
Navy Information Professional Education Opportunities
Information Professionals can get more education through the Service members Opportunity Colleges Navy (SOCNAV) Degree Program, by applying for jobs at institutions like the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) or the Navy War College (NWC), and by taking Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) at one of the different service colleges.
It is very important for people who work as Information Professionals to get a lot of postgraduate education.
Most IPs will go to the Naval Postgraduate School to get a master’s degree in C4I, space, information systems, computer science, modeling and simulation, or some other field, like computer science.
There is a chance to get a graduate certificate at National Defense University or NPS, as well as very important DoD certifications.
Federal Executive Fellowships, Information Assurance Scholarships, and internships may also be available, but it is not certain.
More Information
If you want more information about becoming a Navy Information Professional officer, the next logical step is to contact a Naval Officer Recruiter.
Let us start figuring out how you can benefit from becoming a Navy IP officer – or if it is even the right move for you, considering your current life situation.
You might also be interested in:
- Public Affairs Officer program
- Cryptologic Warfare Officer program
- Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer program
Hope this was helpful for your career planning.
