Become a Navy Restricted Line Officer (2025)

Last Updated on October 14, 2024

This guide provides useful information about becoming a Restricted Line Officer in the Navy during Fiscal Year 2025.

As you will see, there are many officer programs in the Restricted Line.

Let us start with the descriptions.

What is a Restricted Line Officer in the Navy?

Navy Restricted Line Officers (RL) are those officers with warfighting specialties but do not carry direct strategic and tactical warfare responsibilities.

These officers, with top-level skills, play a huge part in helping the Unrestricted Line Officers keep our Navy super strong. They really are a big part of our top military forces.

Now, RL Officers might be full line officers in the Navy and Naval Reserve, but they do have some limits on what they can do. But don’t think that means their career is stuck. In fact, RL Officers often aim for some pretty big career moves.

A Navy Restricted Line Officer can’t take command of sea-based combat units like warships, submarines, or aviation squads. They also can’t lead shore-based units, like naval bases or air stations, or go up the ladder to command at higher levels, like Flag Officer ranks.

Navy Restricted Line Officer Jobs

In the Navy, there are several Restricted Line Officer designators that specialize in a wide variety of highly technical skills, which include:

Also Read: United States Navy and Marine Corps Officer Rank Structure

How To Become A Restricted Line Officer

If you’re thinking about becoming a Navy Restricted Line Officer, just know the competition is fierce. Getting a commission in the Navy isn’t easy.

First off, you gotta show you meet the basic requirements for a Navy commission. So, it’s smart to apply at least a year before you finish college because there aren’t many spots, and they fill up fast.

This isn’t like applying for a regular civilian management job—Naval Officers, especially Restricted Line Officers, play a key role in national security.

Also, be ready to live up to higher standards than your civilian buddies. If that doesn’t scare you off, it probably means you’ve got the pride and integrity it takes for the job. Being a Naval Officer should definitely be on your list of top career choices.

Here’s some basic info to get you started. More requirements will pop up as you go through the process, but this will help you kick things off.

For a more individualized evaluation and help, contact your local Navy Officer recruiter.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Different jobs will have their own unique requirements, but these are the common ones for all Navy Restricted Line Officers:

1) Citizenship

You must be a United States citizen either by birth or naturalization.

2) Education

You must have at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. GPA requirement and degree major requirements differ in each RL officer job.

3) Physical

You must pass a physical and medical screening, typically conducted during the application process.

4) Aptitude

Navy Restricted Line Officer applicants must pass the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR).

The most crucial requirement that you can fully control is your OAR score. It is the primary objective criteria upon which all applicants are compared against.

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.

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

All prospective Restricted Line Officers spend around 13 weeks in Newport, Rhode Island, attending Navy orientation training at the Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Navy OCS expands your professional understanding of the Navy and assists you in making the transition from civilian to military life.

You will find that academic classes, military training, and physical fitness training are all challenging and rigorous at OCS. You will need to be self-disciplined, physically fit, and have solid study habits since you will be working hard.

The course dives into stuff like Naval operations, orientation, and administration. You’ll also study naval history and how the Navy uses strategic deterrence, sea control, and force projection to dominate the seas during wars. Plus, you’ll learn how the Navy helps keep the seas free and open during times of peace.

Also Read: Navy OCS Guide for Officer Applicants

More Information

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

Let us start figuring out how you can benefit from the Navy – or if it is even a right fit for you.

You may also find more detailed information in this Quick Guide: How To Become a Naval Officer where you will find the actual step-by-step instructions toward this journey.