Oceanography Officer, Designator 1800
The basic requirements for selection to the Navy Oceanography Officer indoctrination and training program for college graduates. Program leads to a commission in the restricted line of the United States Navy as an Ensign, designator 1800.
Those selected will attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) located in Newport, Rhode Island.
Commissioning Requirements for Oceanography Officer
Program is open to both men and women who are citizens of the United States. Citizenship waivers will not be considered. Being a dual citizen (i.e. U.S. citizen and a citizen of another country) is not necessarily disqualifying. Associated risks to national security will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not have yet passed their 42nd birthday upon commissioning. For the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) (OCEANO option), applicants must not have passed their 35th birthday upon commissioning.
Accession Source
Civilians and enlisted personnel of the regular Navy or Navy Reserve (active and inactive) or enlisted personnel of other armed services with an approved inter-service transfer.
Education
Candidates must have completed a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university. Major fields of study directly related to Science, Meteorology, Oceanography, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering are most strongly preferred but not required.
An undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale is required. Completion of a calculus series (minimum of Calculus I and II) with a "C" or better average and completion of a calculus-based physics series (Physics I and II) with a "B" or better average are required.
Waivers will only be granted to applicants who meet the minimum waiverable academic profile code for the Naval Postgraduate School's Meteorology and Operational Oceanography curriculum.
Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR): All applicants must take the OAR examination. Applicants for commission as an Oceanography Officer must attain a score of 45 or greater.
Leadership and Work Experience
Prior military or civilian experience in physical oceanography meteorology, hydrographic survey or geospatial information and systems is strongly desired. Military work experience shall be validated with submission of the applicant's three most recent observed enlisted performance evaluations. This requirement may be waived.
Ideal enlisted candidates will be Aerographer's Mates who possess Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 7412 Analyst Forecaster.
A quantifiable record of leadership, management or supervisory experience in academia, civilian and/or military organizations is strongly preferred
Physical Examination
Physicals will be completed in line with the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15 and as detailed in Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, Or Induction in the Military Services, DoD Instruction 6130.03. Candidates must meet the physical fitness weight and/or percentage of body fat standards at the time of application and at time of commissioning.
Separated prior-service and non-prior service applicants will normally complete their physical examination at the local Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).
Security Clearance Eligibility
Candidates must meet the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 704 eligibility standards for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
- Applicants who are recommended for a commission are required to complete a pre-nomination interview with the local special security officer prior to final selection as an officer candidate.
- Being a dual citizen (i.e. a U.S. citizen and a citizen of another country) is not necessarily disqualifying. Associated risks to national security will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Waivers
In cases where the applicant does not meet all of the qualifications, but otherwise has an exceptional record or proven skill-set required by the Navy, a waiver may be authorized.
Indoctrination
Selectees will complete Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Officer Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island.
Enlistment
Civilians and Enlisted applicants in paygrades E-4 and below, who are selected for this program are designated Officer Candidates and advanced to paygrade E-5 upon reporting to Officer Candidate School. Enlisted applicants in paygrades E-5 and above are designated Officer Candidates in their present paygrades.
Appointment
Candidates will be commissioned in the restricted line of the U.S. Navy as an Ensign, designator (1800).
Surface Warfare Officer (OCEANO option) will be commissioned in the unrestricted line of the U.S. Navy as an Ensign, designator 1160 (Surface Warfare Officer Student), additional qualification designator of "LOD." Officers will be redesignated to 1800 without board action per Information Warfare Community (IWC) Option Program, MILPERSMAN 1212-050.
Service Obligation
Officers must serve at least four years on active duty from date of appointment. The balance of service, sufficient to complete eight years total obligated service, may be served in a Ready Reserve status.
Surface Warfare Officer (OCEANO Option): Upon redesignation to 1800, SWO (COCEANO) officers incur an additional minimum service obligation in accordance with MILPERSMAN 1212-050 from date of designator change, to be served concurrently with any other obligations.
Pay and Allowances
Upon commencing Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, Selectees will receive pay and benefits based on paygrade outlined in the paragraph above under the "Enlistment" header.
