U.S. Navy General Officer Programs
When considering becoming a Naval Surface Warfare Officer, give us a call to schedule a Officer Aptitude
Rating (OAR) test. Information on the test is located HERE
Rating (OAR) test. Information on the test is located HERE
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Surface Warfare Officers are the leaders onboard the world’s most powerful vessels, managing professional
and highly trained Sailors to maintain and operate the ship’s systems. If you have a love for travel and
Job Description:
While the U.S. Navy has the most technically and tactically advanced defense and war-fighting capabilities on
land, in the air, and under the sea, the mainstay of the force is the vast fleet of aircraft carriers, cruisers,
destroyers, frigates, dock landing ships, and other surface vessels. These ships and their crews are
commanded and managed by an elite group of ship drivers and ship fighters – the Navy’s Surface Warfare
Officers. If you’re up for the challenge of inspiring a ship’s crew and being at the helm of million-dollar high-
tech equipment, accelerate your life as a Surface Warfare Officer.
What Will You Do?
Surface Warfare Officers are involved in virtually every aspect of Navy missions. Antisubmarine warfare,
antiair warfare, antisurface warfare, land attack, theatre air missile defense, support for Marine Corps and
Navy Special Warfare (SEAL) missions, communications, damage control, and shipboard management all
rely on the knowledge and expertise of Officers in the Surface Warfare community. During a sea tour, Surface
Warfare Officers may be in charge of any number of shipboard operations and activities and may work with or
within the following forces:
Aircraft Carrier Forces:
Provide and coordinate air defense from conventional and nuclear-powered carriers
Cruiser-Destroyer Forces: Provide ship attack and defense measures with a wide array of missile and fire
power capabilities providing antiair, submarine, and surface warfare support
Amphibious Forces:
Embark and transport vehicles, cargo, and troops for amphibious assault operations
Combat-Logistics Forces: Provide combatant ships with fuel, ammunition, food and supplies, and provide
repair, maintenance, and rescue capabilities through fleet support ships
Mine Warfare Forces:
Detect, identify, and neutralize threats to maritime forces from hostile use of mines
Shore duty may involve a tour-of-duty at the Pentagon, a student assignment at the Naval Postgraduate
School in Monterey, California, or command and management positions at shore bases and stations across
the globe.
Earn While You Learn
As a Navy Officer, education and training is an integral and ongoing part of your career. You will likely have the
opportunity to earn advanced degrees. You can also take advantage of the Navy’s Tuition Assistance
Program, which pays a percentage of accredited college courses and programs. If you become a Surface
Warfare Officer, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is also an attractive tour-of-duty option,
which allows you to earn a master’s or doctorate degree.
Skills and Training
There are a few ways to become a Navy Officer. Enrolling in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
(NROTC) or the U.S. Naval Academy are two paths toward gaining a commission. Other prospective Officers
attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 12-week Navy orientation school in Newport, Rhode Island. OCS
prepares you for the roles and responsibilities expected of and afforded to U.S. Navy Officers through
academic and military courses and physical fitness training. Course subjects include Navy operations,
orientation, and administration, Navy history, strategic deterrence and sea control, shipboard management,
combat systems, ship control, and surface ship fundamentals.
Your initial sea tour lasts a total of 24 months, including time at sea and in port. The ship will have an
organized Surface Warfare Officer training program that helps you complete Personnel Qualifications
Standards (PQSs) and qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer. Your initial duty will most likely be as a Division
Officer in operations, engineering, combat systems, or deck departments.
Career Outlook
Training as a Surface Warfare Officer directly transfers to civilian careers in executive-level management as
well as many technology and high-tech specialty systems. Each year, a select few candidates for the Surface
Warfare program are offered a chance to specialize in Information Technology (IT), Oceanography, or
Engineering Duty Officer (EDO). If you have skills or interest in these fields, you may qualify for these exciting
careers.
and highly trained Sailors to maintain and operate the ship’s systems. If you have a love for travel and
Job Description:
While the U.S. Navy has the most technically and tactically advanced defense and war-fighting capabilities on
land, in the air, and under the sea, the mainstay of the force is the vast fleet of aircraft carriers, cruisers,
destroyers, frigates, dock landing ships, and other surface vessels. These ships and their crews are
commanded and managed by an elite group of ship drivers and ship fighters – the Navy’s Surface Warfare
Officers. If you’re up for the challenge of inspiring a ship’s crew and being at the helm of million-dollar high-
tech equipment, accelerate your life as a Surface Warfare Officer.
What Will You Do?
Surface Warfare Officers are involved in virtually every aspect of Navy missions. Antisubmarine warfare,
antiair warfare, antisurface warfare, land attack, theatre air missile defense, support for Marine Corps and
Navy Special Warfare (SEAL) missions, communications, damage control, and shipboard management all
rely on the knowledge and expertise of Officers in the Surface Warfare community. During a sea tour, Surface
Warfare Officers may be in charge of any number of shipboard operations and activities and may work with or
within the following forces:
Aircraft Carrier Forces:
Provide and coordinate air defense from conventional and nuclear-powered carriers
Cruiser-Destroyer Forces: Provide ship attack and defense measures with a wide array of missile and fire
power capabilities providing antiair, submarine, and surface warfare support
Amphibious Forces:
Embark and transport vehicles, cargo, and troops for amphibious assault operations
Combat-Logistics Forces: Provide combatant ships with fuel, ammunition, food and supplies, and provide
repair, maintenance, and rescue capabilities through fleet support ships
Mine Warfare Forces:
Detect, identify, and neutralize threats to maritime forces from hostile use of mines
Shore duty may involve a tour-of-duty at the Pentagon, a student assignment at the Naval Postgraduate
School in Monterey, California, or command and management positions at shore bases and stations across
the globe.
Earn While You Learn
As a Navy Officer, education and training is an integral and ongoing part of your career. You will likely have the
opportunity to earn advanced degrees. You can also take advantage of the Navy’s Tuition Assistance
Program, which pays a percentage of accredited college courses and programs. If you become a Surface
Warfare Officer, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is also an attractive tour-of-duty option,
which allows you to earn a master’s or doctorate degree.
Skills and Training
There are a few ways to become a Navy Officer. Enrolling in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
(NROTC) or the U.S. Naval Academy are two paths toward gaining a commission. Other prospective Officers
attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 12-week Navy orientation school in Newport, Rhode Island. OCS
prepares you for the roles and responsibilities expected of and afforded to U.S. Navy Officers through
academic and military courses and physical fitness training. Course subjects include Navy operations,
orientation, and administration, Navy history, strategic deterrence and sea control, shipboard management,
combat systems, ship control, and surface ship fundamentals.
Your initial sea tour lasts a total of 24 months, including time at sea and in port. The ship will have an
organized Surface Warfare Officer training program that helps you complete Personnel Qualifications
Standards (PQSs) and qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer. Your initial duty will most likely be as a Division
Officer in operations, engineering, combat systems, or deck departments.
Career Outlook
Training as a Surface Warfare Officer directly transfers to civilian careers in executive-level management as
well as many technology and high-tech specialty systems. Each year, a select few candidates for the Surface
Warfare program are offered a chance to specialize in Information Technology (IT), Oceanography, or
Engineering Duty Officer (EDO). If you have skills or interest in these fields, you may qualify for these exciting
careers.
Surface Warfare Officer
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