Naval ROTC commissioning and careers

Surface warfare is the "traditional" community within the Navy that employs surface ships for the missions of forward naval presence, sea control and projection of power ashore. Surface Warfare Officers are the men and women who, as junior officers just out of college, lead the sailors within the many specialized divisions of a ship's crew. Surface Warfare Officers are Navy officers whose training and primary duties focus on the operation of Navy ships at sea and the management of various shipboard systems. Their ultimate goal is to command a Navy surface ship. 

Naval aviation is renowned for the demands it places upon its fliers. The skills and concentration required to land a high-performance jet on board an aircraft carrier deck pitching in the black of night, or to track a submarine while flying only a few feet above stormy seas, are not only linked to a solid academic background, but also to top physical conditioning. It requires a combination of talents and dedication that many people possess, but few are challenged to use to full measure.

Naval flight officers (NFOs) are the men and women who operate the advance systems onboard naval aircraft. NFOs may also act as the overall tactical coordinators of multiple air assets during a mission. They differ from Naval aviators in that they do not pilot the aircraft in which they serve. This division of labor between aviators and NFOs allows for each to concentrate more closely on mission tasks that require specific occupational training. NFOs are integral members of the Naval aviation community and are just as competitive as Naval aviators for command of aircraft squadrons, air wings and even aircraft carriers.

Midshipmen who select submarine warfare can look forward to a challenging career as a member of an elite, technically advanced, multi-mission community. Newly commissioned ensigns will serve onboard the most capable submarines in the world. 

The newly commissioned officer from the NROTC program will complete the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training. EOD Training is a 10-month course that is both physically and mentally demanding. The mission is to train officers and enlisted personnel in the best methods of detection, identification, render safe, and disposal of explosive ordnance and related devices. This includes all known foreign ordnance, chemical weapons, biological weapons, nuclear weapons, clandestine improvised devices and any and all ordnance/devices which may be encountered underwater.

Naval special warfare (NSW) is the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command which deploys forces to conduct special operations and activities in support of combatant commanders and U.S. national interests. NSW operational forces are comprised of SEAL teams, SEAL delivery vehicle teams, and special boat teams specially organized and trained to conduct the full spectrum of special operations in maritime and other extreme environments.

After graduating college and successfully completing Officer Candidate School (OCS) and the NROTC program, midshipmen will earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Assignments are given according to the needs of the Marine Corps, and officers seek assignments that will give them a balance of command experience, combat experience and joint staff appointments. 

Adjutants coordinate administrative matters for Marine Corps staff sections and external agencies at the staff level. They ensure that every Marine in their command has administrative resources both for day-to-day tasks and long-term career progression. Adjutants supervise the execution of administrative policies. They receive and route correspondence, preparing responses to any special correspondence. They also manage their unit’s legal matters and monitor fitness reports, among other administrative duties.

The Adjutant Course 
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 
25 days

Entry-level marine intelligence officers receive specific training within one of the following disciplines: ground, human source, signals or air intelligence. These officers have unique opportunities for leadership, deployment and training. Once the rank of major is attained, all of the disciplines merge together as the officer becomes a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) intelligence officer. After three years of experience and completion of MIOC (MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course), you will be designated as a MAGTF intelligence officer, with leadership opportunities in both joint and Marine Corps billets.

Ground Intelligence Officer — 0203 
Infantry Officer Course 
Quantico, Virginia

12 weeks

Scout Sniper Platoon Commander Course 
Quantico, Virginia 
3 weeks

Ground Intelligence Officer Course 
Dam Neck, Virginia 
6 weeks

Human Source Intelligence Officer — 0204 
MAGTF CI/HUMINT Basic Course 
Dam Neck, VA 
18.5 weeks

CI/HUMINT Managers Course 
Dam Neck, Virginia 
4 weeks

Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare Officer — 0206 
Signals Intel Officers Course 
Dam Neck, Virginia 
24 weeks

Air Intelligence Officer — 0207 
Aviation Intel Officer Course 
Dam Neck, Virginia 
8 weeks

Infantry officers are central to the role of the Marine Corps as an expeditionary force. They are responsible for training their Marines for every variety of ground combat mission in any environment. They gather and evaluate intelligence on enemy forces, develop offensive and defensive battle plans and command their infantry unit’s use of weapons and equipment.

Infantry Officer Course (IOC) 
Quantico, Virginia 
10 weeks

Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Leaders Course 
School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton 
6 weeks

Logistics officers have a high degree of visibility due to their critical role in planning strategies for every major unit in the operating forces. They perform a variety of duties including coordinating the movement of Marines and equipment from ship to shore to forward operating bases. This MOS allows officers to develop long-range projects, manage the supply chain and analyze data and performance.

Logistics Officers Course 
Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools (MCCSSS) 
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 
55 Days

Communications officers are the backbone for command and control of operating forces in the Marine Corps. They are responsible for the planning, installation, operation and maintenance of data, telecommunications and computer systems. On the battlefield, officers must be able to quickly establish communications capabilities. This MOS requires officers to stay informed of rapidly evolving technology involved in their day-to-day duties.

Basic Communications Officer Course 
29 Palms, California 
19 weeks

Field artillery officers lead Marines in tactics, gunnery, gun-line drills, communications, maintenance, transportation and logistics. They provide close-fire support for infantry, armored reconnaissance and tank units. Their first assignment is to a firing battery within an artillery battalion, while future roles include fire support officer, fire direction officer, platoon leader and battery executive officer.

Field Artillery Officers Basic Course 
Fort Sill, Oklahoma 
19 weeks

Combat engineers lead Marines in route reconnaissance, demolitions, mine and countermine warfare, obstacle emplacement, breaching and construction. Engineering is divided into four categories: mobility, counter mobility, survivability and general engineering. Officers find themselves performing many missions, such as building a bridge or repairing a medical clinic in a disaster-struck third-world country.

Basic Engineer Officer’s Course 
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 
9 weeks 
55 days

The tank officer brings firepower to the battlefield, commanding Marines in M1A1 tanks and providing recommendations for the tactical employment of tank units to unit commanders. Typically, the tank officer spends the first 14 months as a tank platoon commander and is stationed at either of the two active-duty tank battalions, ready for deployment.

Tank Officer Basic Course 
Fort Knox, Kentucky 
17 weeks

AAV officers command or assist in commanding, assault amphibian (AA) units, provide recommendations to the supported unit commander for the tactical employment of AA units. AAV officers also direct AA units on maneuvers, tactical problems and in combat.

Amphibious Assault Vehicle Course 
Camp Pendleton, California 
54 Days 

Ground supply officers lead and train Marines in coordinating the equipment and material for mission requirements. They supervise the purchasing and contracting of supplies, manage budgets and develop spending plans. Their role ensures that Marines worldwide are properly equipped.

Ground Supply Officers Course 
Marine Corps Service Support Schools 
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 
8 weeks

Financial management officers are in charge of financial issues, such as managing budgets and disbursing operations. Officers who work in the finance section coordinate military pay and travel, while the comptroller side consists of budgeting, accounting and leading internal reviews.

Financial Management School 
Camp Johnson, North Carolina 
5 weeks

Public affairs officers communicate the mission and interests of the Marine Corps to diverse stakeholders. These officers answer questions and inform the media of Marine Corps stories and events. They fulfill requests for aircraft, military bands, color guards and speakers. In addition, they write articles, publish base newspapers and manage websites. This profession is relatively small in respect to other MOSs but has a significant supporting staff role among all levels of command.

Public Affairs Officers Course (PAOC) 
Defense Information School 
Fort Meade, Maryland 
8.5 weeks

Military police officers provide essential support to their commanding officers with all facets of law enforcement. Officers begin this MOS either on-base, providing security and law enforcement or on deployment, supervising maneuver and mobility operations and internment operations, as well as providing area security and law enforcement.

Military Police Basic Officers Course 
Fort Leonardwood, Missouri 
9 weeks

Aviation maintenance officers supervise the maintenance of aircraft and aviation equipment. Their duties ensure that all Marine Corps aircraft are ready to fly to support any mission. These officers oversee aircraft inspection, managing technical training and administering safety programs.

Aviation Maintenance Officer Course 
Naval Aviation School 
Pensacola, Florida 
10 weeks

Aviation supply officers make critical decisions concerning budget, inventory management, deployment, personnel and other support matters. They serve in the Aviation Supply Department at any one of the 11 different Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons (MALS), all dedicated to keeping Marine aircraft ready and safe.

Aviation Supply Officer Basic Qualification Course 
Newport, Rhode Island 
14 weeks

Officers in aviation command and control serve as either air support control officers, air defense control officers or air traffic control officers. The primary functions of these MOSs include directing the interception of hostile aircraft and coordinating employment of surface-to-air-missiles, coordinating air support missions and directing activities related to air traffic control and airspace management.

Low Altitude Air Defense — 7204 
Low Altitude Air Defense Course 
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School 
29 Palms, California

Air Support Control Officers — 7208 
Air Support Control Officers Course 
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School 
29 Palms, California 
12 weeks

Air Defense Control Officers — 7210 
Air Defense Control Officers Course 
Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School 
29 Palms, California 
12 weeks

Air Traffic Control Officers — 7220 
Air Traffic Control School 
Pensacola, Florida 
16 weeks

Marine fixed-wing pilots fly some of the most advanced aircraft in the world. These officers perform essential functions of Marine Aviation — assault support, anti-air warfare, offensive air support, electronic warfare, control of aircraft and missiles and aerial reconnaissance — to support missions around the world.

Aviation Preflight Indoctrination 
Pensacola, Florida 
6 weeks

Primary Flight Training 
Florida, Texas or Oklahoma 
22 weeks

Advanced Flight Training 
Texax, Mississippi or Florida  
14-49 weeks

Marine rotary-wing and tilt-rotor pilots fly aircraft in coordination with ground forces to execute the missions of the Marine Corps. These officers and the aircraft they command may be ship-based or shore-based. Tilt-rotor pilots’ missions mirror that of rotary-wing pilots, combining transport capability with speed capability similar to that of fixed-wing pilots.

Aviation Preflight Indoctrination 
Pensacola, Florida 
6 weeks

Primary Flight Training 
Florida or Texas

22 weeks

Advanced Flight Training 
Whiting Field, Florida 
27-44 weeks