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The Paths to Becoming an Officer
- Attend a senior military college or service academy.
- Enroll at a traditional college or university with a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.
- Attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) after graduating from college.
- Receive a direct commission after earning a professional degree.
Can you pick your job in the Navy?
The Navy calls their enlisted jobs “ratings.” The Navy offers two programs: Guaranteed Job, and Undesignated Seaman. While both programs are available, most enlist under the Guaranteed Job program. Again, whether or not you will be offered the job you want depends upon your qualifications, and the needs of the service.
The first three weeks of Navy Boot Camp are clearly the toughest (physically, and stressfully). Get through the first three weeks, and you’ll almost assuredly graduate. As with Army and Air Force Basic Training, during the first couple of weeks, you’ll find that no one can seem to do anything right.
How tall do you have to be to join the Navy?
The minimum qualifying height is 58 inches for all candidates, and the maximum qualifying height for all candidates is 80 inches. Waivers may be granted to a limited number of exceptional candidates whose height exceeds this standard. The minimum qualifying weight (by height) standards are listed in the table.
If you have been convicted of a felony as an adult or a juvenile for offenses involving violence, domestic violence, illegal drugs, or sexual misconduct, you will be disqualified from serving in the Navy.
What is the lowest Asvab score for Navy?
31
To join the Navy as an enlisted member, you usually must get a good score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. The maximum ASVAB score is 99. For enlistment into the Navy, you must get a minimum ASVAB score of 31, although in same cases a 26 is permitted.
To join the Navy, you must: Be a U.S. citizen; or Legal Permanent Resident (Enlisted) Be between the ages of 17 and 39 to enlist or be between 19 and 42 to become an Officer* Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (Enlisted) or have a four-year degree from an accredited university (Officer)
How long does it take to become a Navy officer?
There are many ways to join the Navy. Your son or daughter may decide to join as an Enlisted Sailor right after high school or earn a four-year degree and then join as a Naval Officer. To understand how this will affect their Navy experience, choose a path to read about each option.
There are many locations for Navy A School, and not all Sailors will go to the same school. Sailors who will attend A School at Great Lakes will need to check-in to their new unit immediately after graduation. Sailors attending A School elsewhere will be given a day to travel to their next unit.
Is your son or daughter considering joining the Navy?
If your son or daughter is considering joining the Navy, you might be surprised by the education opportunities, career advancements, personal growth, and life experiences that are ahead of them. If you’ve never had a family member join the military, or you don’t know anything about the Navy, we’re here to fill you in.