This guide is designed for Navy Enlisted personnel interested in getting a commission through the Unrestricted Line Officer In-Service Procurement Program (URLO ISPP) for Fiscal Year 2025.
The URLO ISPP pilot program gives active-duty enlisted members, who meet the eligibility criteria, a clear path to becoming officers across all Unrestricted Line Officer communities.
It’s a unique opportunity to transition from enlisted ranks to a leadership role as a commissioned officer.
Now, let’s break down the qualifications and steps to help you get started on this journey.
Unrestricted Line Officer
An unrestricted line officer in the United States Navy is a commissioned officer who has been trained and qualified to command a ship or submarine. They handle the safety, security, and operational readiness of their vessel and crew.
Unrestricted line officers are typically assigned to surface ships, submarines, or aviation squadrons. They must have a four-year college degree from an accredited institution and complete Officer Candidate School.
To learn more, read: Navy Unrestricted Line Officer Programs
Basic Application Requirements
The basic requirements for applying for the URLO ISPP are listed below. The information is current per Navy Personnel Command as of November 2023. No updates have been issued this far.
| Citizenship | Applicants must be citizens of the United States. |
| Gender | There are no gender restrictions for this program. |
| Age | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not older than the maximum age restriction for the designator for which they are applying. |
| Education | Because of the nature of the URLO ISPP, applicants must have a baccalaureate degree. Besides any other curricular requirements, the grade point average must meet the minimal requirements specified in the specific designator Program Authorization. |
| Medical | For officer appointment, applicants must meet the pre-commissioning/accession physical norms. These physical specifications are established under the Program Authorization for the specific designator for which they will be accepted. |
| Aptitude | Candidates for aviation positions must have a minimum Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) score under the program authorization for the specific designator for which they are applying. The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) must meet the minimal parameters specified in the Program Authorization for the relevant designator. |
| Behavior | Applicants must be of good moral character and have no history of disciplinary action under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, no court-martial convictions, no civilian felony convictions by any civil court, or misdemeanors (except minor ($300 or less fine) traffic violations) within the three years prior to selection. An offense involving driving under the influence of an intoxicant (DUI/DWI, etc.) constitutes a major traffic violation and is disqualifying if committed within four years of the selection date. Pre-service drug or alcohol usage is not an automatic disqualifier. Any substantiated in-service drug or alcohol abuse (record of either, regardless of date) will cause disqualification. |
| Physical Fitness | To be eligible for Officer Candidate School (OCS), applicants must have passed their most recent PFA with an overall score of at least “Excellent”. If no official PRT scores are available, a mock PFA performed by a competent Command Fitness Leader will suffice. Running the PFA is mandatory because there are no other cardio options at OCS. |
| Time in Service | The Commanding Officer’s sound judgment, observation, and evaluation of candidates is required for this Program Authorization. As a result, a minimum of six months of service is necessary. |
| Warfare Qualification | Applicants are not required to have completed their warfare qualification. The lack of a warfare qualification will not be looked negatively by the selection board. |
Nuclear-Trained Sailors
Sailors in a nuclear training command or holding a nuclear NEC (N1XX/N2XX) need a conditional release before applying to a non-nuclear officer commissioning program.
They must submit an Enlisted Personnel Action Request (NAVPERS 1306/7) to the Nuclear Propulsion Program Management Branch (OPNAV N133) through their detailer at Navy Personnel Command, Enlisted Submarine/Nuclear Power Assignments Division (PERS-403). No conditional release, no application.
On the other hand, those applying for the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program must meet every requirement in Program Authorization 100A.
Application Process
Nominations must come from a command that has completed basic training. Only a Commanding Officer (CO) can nominate, and it requires approval from the first Flag Officer in their chain of command.
Nominations from the first training stream are automatically rejected. The CO and supporting Flag Officer don’t need to be URL officers. The CO must complete the Recommendation section in the Officer Programs Application (OPNAV 1420/1).
Only active-duty enlisted Sailors can apply. This program isn’t open to Full-Time Support, Individual Ready Reserve, or Selected Reserve members on ADSW, ADT, one-to-three-year recall, or Canvasser Recruiter duty.
Everything must be filled out, and the applicant must meet all eligibility conditions. The CO’s endorsement must confirm three things:
- The applicant is on full duty with no restrictions.
- They meet physical fitness and body fat standards.
- Any negative performance issues have been addressed, with clear corrective steps.
“Well-Qualified Applicant Profiles” in Program Authorizations define the ideal candidate traits. These guidelines set a benchmark for selection.
The CO submits the nomination to the first Flag Officer for approval. If approved, the Flag Officer forwards it to NRC. NRC reviews nominations to ensure all requirements are met.
If anything is missing, the nomination gets rejected. If the designator is full, it gets sent back. The originating command is notified of the issue.
Complete nomination packets go to BUPERS-31 for URLO ISPP selection panels. These panels meet at least quarterly, sometimes with URL Professional Recommendation Boards.
Because applicants have already completed an undergrad degree, enlisted training, and secured command support, URLO ISPP panels usually select all qualified candidates before considering other commissioning applicants.
If quotas are full, BUPERS-3 works with OPNAV N-13 to request more slots. N-13 typically grants them.
After selection, CNRC contacts candidates and processes them for OCS.
No waivers. If you don’t qualify, you don’t get in.
Upon Selection
All selected candidates must attend the 12-week Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island.
The program covers physical training, leadership development, and naval customs and traditions. Finish OCS, and you’re commissioned as an Ensign, ready for your first duty station.
Fail to complete OCS for any reason other than injury? You go back to your previous command at your current rank.
Further training depends on the program authorization for your designator.
Enlisted applicants at E-4 or below get advanced to E-5 when they report to OCS. Those already E-5 or higher stay at their current paygrade until commissioning.
Once commissioned, candidates enter the Navy as Unrestricted Line (URL) officers. Their designator depends on their application and selection.
Service Obligation
All officers must serve an eight-year term under Title 10 U.S. Code § 651.
This obligation includes a mix of active and reserve service. At least four years must be active duty, or whatever the program authorization requires—whichever is longer.
No lateral transfers allowed until the minimum service requirement is met.
If a designator requires a longer commitment, that obligation takes priority.
Prior enlisted members with qualifying records are commissioned at the O-1E paygrade, which includes higher pay based on prior service.
