The Requirements to Become a Navy Officer
For those interested in a career in the U.S. Navy, merely remaining an enlisted man actually limits your career options. If you're in it for the long haul, you'll want to know the requirements to become a Navy officer. While knowing the requirements alone isn't a guarantee of rising to the top of the officer corps, it will give you guidelines for how to prepare for enlisting and how to conduct yourself after.
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Age
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Before considering options that you have control over, you should be aware of officer requirements over which you have little or no control. The Navy requires all officers to be between the ages of 19 and 29 to enter Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School. You must be between the ages of 17 and 21 to enter Navy ROTC or 17 and 22 to enter the U.S. Naval Academy.
Basical Physical Requirements
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U.S. Navy officers must be of a certain physical type. Men must be at least 5 feet tall and women must be at least 4 feet 10 inches tall. Men must weigh between 100 and 255 lbs., while weight boundaries for women are between 90 and 227 lbs. All potential officers must pass a Navy physical. Vision can be no worse than 20/400 and must be 20/20 with corrective lenses.
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Physical Readiness
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All sailors, including officers, must pass regular physical readiness tests. These require sailors to complete as many push-ups and sit-ups in two minutes as they can, as well as complete a 1 1/2-mile run as quickly as possible. Sailors receive a certain number of points for the number of push-ups and sit-ups completed, as well as a points for time underneath the maximum allotted time for the 1 1/2-mile run. To pass basic training, a sailor must get 60 points, after which he must get 50.
Personal Requirements
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There is more to being a naval officer than having good vision and being in good shape. All officers must have a four-year degree, with some officer positions requiring advanced degrees. The Navy conducts a background investigation to ensure that all naval officers are of good moral character. You must also pass an officer qualification exam. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to be officers in the U.S. Navy.
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