In the United States (US) Department of the Navy, there are four main types of officers: Unrestricted Line Officers, Restricted Line Officers, Staff Corps, and Limited Duty Officers. The Navy also employs Navy Supply Corps Officers. Career fields for Navy officers range from public affairs and oceanography to intelligence and special operations. In general, a Navy officer is a commissioned position of authority in one of the aforementioned areas.
Unrestricted Line Officers are in command of ships, submarines, aircraft squadrons, naval bases, air stations, and fleets. Restricted Line Officers may work on aviation, engineering, or aerospace duty. Staff Corps specialize in certain careers, such as medicine, nursing, law, or civil engineering. Limited Duty Officers are former Warrant Officers or previously enlisted sailors. They are selected to be a Limited Duty Officer based on the training and experience they received in their enlisted job.
Navy Supply Corps Officers provide the Navy with supplies, ranging from ammunition and electronic equipment to medicine and food. They supply sailors, surface ships, submarines, shore stations, and aviation squadrons with these crucial supplies. Typically, they need strong organizational, mathematical, and troubleshooting skills. Knowledge of logistics also can be imperative when trying to save time when transporting vital materials.
A Navy Supply Corps Officer is responsible for the inventory, inspection, packaging, and transport of supplies. He or she also oversees the handling of delicate items, such as medicine and explosives. This job requires the officer to act as a leader and business manager by carrying out executive duties. Job responsibilities include financial management, assessing supply and demand, and evaluating the proposals of potential suppliers.
Typically, a current Navy officer has access to continuing education or additional training opportunities. Military colleges teach strategies and tactics, plus operations in conjunction with other military branches. At the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, officers can earn their master’s or doctorate degree while still being paid full-time as a Navy officer.
In order to become a Navy officer, sailors attend a 12-week program at the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Officer candidates take both academic and military courses, and undergo physical fitness training. The school prepares sailors for the responsibilities they will face as a Navy Officer.
Current students or graduates of a four-year college or university may be eligible to become a Navy officer. Navy officers generally receive a high base salary and also earn bonuses. If the Navy officer is on sea duty or works on a submarine, he or she will receive a higher salary.
