Many people often think about becoming a Navy Officer. Few succeed. There are several things to consider before making this important decision so you don’t waste your time or a recruiter’s time. I will cover some basic things to help you see if you are qualified. Here are the “QUICK 6”:
1. Do you have a degree?
A degree is required. You must have a degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in the career field you are wanting to explore is nearly essential. So, if you want to be a Nuclear Engineer it is best to have a degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Math, or Physics. Business degrees are great for Supply Corps and Human Resources. Pilots, NFO, and SWO primarily require degrees in engineering or math. However, any degree can work. I have seen people with degrees in history, political science, and even psychology get accepted by the boards.
2. What is your GPA?
A 3.0 GPA or higher will only be the ones who get submitted to the boards. Although the minimum GPA is 2.5 for any designator, they are not considered competitive. The cold, hard truth is that a recruiter won’t talk to you long, if you don’t have at least a 3.0. Time is money to a recruiter. The process to fill out an application and process a complete application kit to a board is very time consuming. Only competitive applicants will get a recruiter’s full attention. If you are below 3.0, then either work on getting it up or seek another service. Let’s face it! If there are 500 people in the nation applying to the Pilot program, why would they pick someone with a low GPA.
3. Are you a US citizen?
It’s required. Only US citizens may be commissioned officers. This is mandatory with no exceptions. Many jobs require an extensive background check. If you aren’t a US citizen, you might consider going the enlisted route to become one.
4. Do you have any medical issues?
You must be healthy. This is probably the toughest hurdle to overcome for most applicants. A recruiter will want you to pass a physical. They should never tell you to lie or hide a disqualifying issue that would keep you from getting medically qualified. Basically, you should be in good health, not overweight, not on medication, not using an inhaler, not seeing a psychologist, and not a drug user. There are many medical issues that keep people from becoming qualified. I will spend an entire blog on this later to discuss it in greater detail.
5. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been arrested, or used drugs?
Not many young people have filed bankruptcy. If you have, it needs to be at least 7 years since you filed in order to get a security clearance. If you have ever been arrested (including speeding tickets), let your recruiter know all of them. Recruiters run police record checks on all applicants. Be upfront and honest. It’s best to disclose everything early and deal with it. I have had applicants try to hide minor issues. This only slows things down and it generally doesn’t work out well in the long run. You lose all of your credibility at that point. Drugs – anything more than smoking marijuana is generally a deal breaker. Even habitual or continued marijuana use is a problem. There are different levels of usage that require a waiver. Your recruiter can handle those on an individual basis with you.
6. How old are you?
You must be older than 18 and no younger than 29. There are some exceptions. Pilots and NFO’s must be younger than 27 at the time of commission. There are waivers for prior service to 31 for most designators. Civil Engineers can be as old as 25. Intel, IP, and IW and most medical designators can be as old as 42. Check with your recruiter for the most up to date information on the your career field. The maximum age for all reserves is 42. The only reserve except is in the medical fields. The medical fields require age waivers above 42.
There are some more requirements that your recruiter will go over with you. The process is called “Blueprinting” in the Navy. By answering these “QUICK 6” questions, you can see if you are basically qualified and competitive to explore a career as a Navy officer. I hope this helps you with just the first step in considering the Navy. My future blogs will explore all topics related to Navy Officer Programs. I wish you the best of luck!
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