Below are brief overviews of the various career opportunities available to midshipmen. For more detailed information,
visit the official NROTC Career Options webpage.
Marine Corps Officer
There is a distinct pride that comes with becoming, and being, an officer of Marines. Marine Officers learn and adopt leadership skills that have been tried and proven in every conflict this nation has seen. From these skills Marine Officers develop their own leadership styles and adapt them to best suit the needs of the mission and their Marines.
Submarine Officer
Submarines are important in sea control, projection of power ashore, and strategic deterrence, requiring an efficient and skillful crew to operate. Submarine Warfare Officers undergo highly technical training for over a year before reporting as a division officer aboard either an attack or ballistic missile submarine. The initial commitment for submariners is five years.
Naval Aviator
Aviators pilot aircraft on land and sea all over the world, but only after completing a challenging training pipeline. After receiving one’s wings, a Naval Aviator is required a minimum of eight years.
Naval Flight Officer
NFOs operate the advanced systems on-board naval aircraft and act as the overall tactical coordinators of multiple air assets during a mission. Many will eventually command aircraft carriers, as only those in the aviation community are eligible for such duty.
NFOs must complete at least six years of service upon the completion of flight training.
Surface Warfare Officer
Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs) serve on Naval vessels such as aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and landing craft carriers. They are stationed throughout the world, commanding a division of sailors responsible for a particular system on board the ship. SWOs serve five years after graduation.
Special Warfare Officer
The Special Warfare Officer concentrates on unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency, coastal and riverine interdiction, and tactical intelligence collection. This hazardous and demanding field requires intense training and when completed, new SEALs are assigned as assistant Platoon Commanders within a SEAL team.
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Special Operations Officer
As part of the small, elite unrestricted line community, the Special Operations Officer focuses on the development of skills in the areas of explosive ordinance disposal. Upon graduation, Special Operations Officers must attend over a year of rigorous training before entering the fleet.
Nurse Corps
Navy Nurse Corps Officers are highly-trained, professional Registered Nurses who serve at Navy hospitals and aboard ships for at least five years after graduation.