Am I a good Navy Officer Candidate?

I've been retired from the Navy since 1985. Much of my information is dated. However, from experience, here's my analysis of the situation.

The Navy -- I suppose the military in general -- is being pretty selective. The administration has seen fit to wind down in Iraq. That means that a lot of officers are becoming available for reassignment. Normally the military would still be on the lookout for talent. But the administration has already reduced their budgets and has promised other cuts. As a result, rather than increasing their numbers they're "downsizing." That means programs are going to be tight.

As has been suggested, the Navy tends to look more favorably on engineering, hard sciences, and math. I know a young lady who's about 20; and next June will be getting her BS in Aeronautical Engineering. That's your competition.

I don't presume anything. But an Unrestricted Line Officer can be stuck in a wide variety of duties, from Navigation to running an engine room aboard a ship to communications. While you might be able to learn the head stuff quickly, the engineers and other heavily math-based studies have already done it... or stuff exactly like it. True, they don't know any more about piloting a ship or working on an engine than you do. But an officer doesn't have to. That's what he has enlisted personnel for. He's more of a facilitator than a director... at least the good ones are.

I think you're a solid applicant. But, under the circumstances... I knew a kid who got out toward the end of Vietnam, got his degree and tried to get back in as an officer. Pulling out of Vietnam caused the same situation you face. At first they wouldn't let him apply. I wrote a letter on his behalf and his application was accepted. He spent a day or two a week for three years in the district office. He tried Line, Supply, Flight Officer, and Intelligence. Finally his age became a factor. And he had prior service.

I wish you luck.

ADDENDA

I agree with a couple of posters that you might look into the Medical Services Staff billets. Your non-technical degree very well might help you there. But most Staff positions seem to require more than a BA/BS and an ability to learn. The only Staff Officers I've even encountered (Medical, Dental, Legal, Engineering) came to the table with some experience as well as a degree.

One suggested that perhaps the Navy might pay for your Ph.D. Remember the financial crunch the military's in. Being pragmatic, I'd look on it as a possibility rather than a probability.

I'm really sorry to give you bad news. But, while I think you should pursue your dream, I would be cautiously pessimistic.

I enlisted with a BA in Math at age 20 in 1960. That allowed me to enter as an E-3 giving me about a year lead on the guys without the education. When it came time for me to reenlist for my E-6, somebody dusted off my degree and recommended me for OCS. I took the offer and retired in 1985. But I was just lucky. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. It seems the Navy had this new program that was still kind of in its formative stages and they wanted young officers with my training and experience involved. I just happened to have had the four-year degree required for consideration for an officer program. Stuff like that is serendipitous.

The people that say your degree is not what the Navy is looking for are not quite right. While it is not the PREFERED degree, as they do look for more technical ones, however, it won't prevent you from applying. I have known Naval Aviators with degrees in History. I know a number of officers with degrees in English, and Business. The key question is: what type of officer do you wish to be? There are a number of offer communities in the Navy and not all of them require you to have taken Calculus. They don't care if the Supply Corps officer has it or not. There are certain fields that do require it but not all.

Your best bet is to talk to an OPO, they can steer you in the right direction. It's not an easy process as the Navy is a competitive branch, second probably only to the AF. Be sure to talk to the OPO about the Health Care fields. As someone mentioned, they may have a program that will allow you to go for your PhD or PsycD. I know they have programs for people that are ABD in those areas.

People like Kris are complete idiots and don't realize how competitive it is, your problem is that your degree is in Psychology which isn't good for OCS at all, but with a 3.93 you might get in anyway... Now, this isn't me saying you "can't be an exceptional officer because of your degree choice", its a fact that the Navy wants technical majors not psych majors.

If you didn't take two semesters of calculus and two semesters of calculus based physics, that may cause you issues as its required for every other Navy officer

There's also a lot more to physical fitness than meeting the height/weight requirement, you better be quite in shape and well rounded.

OCS produces Many Naval Officers.. Unrestricted Line, Restricted Line and Staff. to be a Lawyer or Doctor, you need the Degrees in hand and you apply to DCO..which is NOT OCS. However.. the Navy uses CIVILIANS in it's research programs. so your Biology degree won't necessarily get you a foot in the door for anything other than URL: SWO, Nuke, etc. the Navy really wants Hard sciences like Math and Engineering. and in no way will you be able to do Med school, Law school and Harvard at the same time.

YES! You meet the basic requirements for OCS. Contact a Navy Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for an interview. It is also possible that you may be able to pursue a PHD in psychology as part of your initial contract since this is considered a medical field. Inquire with the OSO during your interview. This would be similar to officer candidates who attended pre-med, did well, and are seeking to become military physicians.

If you cannot get the opportunity into your contract, you "might" be able to apply after commissioning. The OSO can provide you guidance.

Best Wishes

Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps - Retired

Psychology is better than English Literature;). Seriously though, the only way you can know is to ask an officer recruiter.

If they won't take you, the Army is not nearly as discriminatory about types of degree. But then, in the Army, you are likely to be dealing with the local populace in a combat zone, so psychology would actually be useful.

the degree is not what they are looking for, but everything else MIGHT help mitigate that. assuming you also have sports and community involvement to pad your resume. If you do not have Calc and Cal based physics though, your chances are negligible at best, even with the GPA.

find an OFFICER recruiter( the Navy uses different ones for O and E accessions) and submit a packet.

You require a 2.0 GPA with a four year degree. Your overthinking the standards. This isnt an exclusive night club your trying to get in. Unless you are trying to go to the academy or something your backround does not really matter. On a side note, book smarts does not make you a good officer. It may make you potentially good at your job but not making your a mentor or someone people will follow without hesitiation.

You would certainly have a good chance in the Medical Service Corps.

I think You have what it takes but the board decides your case on an individual basis, i can definitely tell you that all this knowledge and education you have wont hurt but support your case.