Service Selection happens during a Midshipman’s senior year, and it is the process of them being selected for their future career path and job as a naval officer. The jobs are broken down into 2 sections, Unrestricted Line Officers, and Restricted Line Officers. Unrestricted Line Officers are comprised of Surface Warfare, Submarine, Special Warfare (SEAL), Special Operations (EOD), Naval Reactors Engineer, Naval Flight Officer (NFO), and Naval Aviator (NA). The vast majority of officers commissioning out of NROTC will become unrestricted line officers. Trying to become a restricted line/staff officer requires a waiver to qualify or a separate scholarship to become a Navy Nurse. Restricted Line Officers include Oceanography, Cryptologic Warfare, Information Professional, Intelligence, Cyber Warfare Engineer, Doctor/Dental, Nurse Corps, Supply Corps, and Civil Engineering Corps. At the beginning of the Midshipman’s senior year, they will fill out a form with their top five preferences on what job they would like.
For Marine Option Midshipmen the process of service selection doesn't come into play until after the Midshipmen has commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. The new Second Lieutenant will then go to The Basic School (TBS) to receive further training in which they will be evaluated and ranked. They will then create a preference sheet that lists what Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) they would prefer. The list of different MOSs can be found here.
Here is a list of the possible careers a Navy Option Midshipmen can join:
- Surface Warfare Officer
- Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer
- Submariner
- Naval Aviator
- Naval Flight Officer
- SEAL
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Surface Warfare Officer
Surface Warfare Officers are the most highly selected officer out of any of the career fields. They man all of the US surface vessels including destroyers, cruisers, carriers, littoral combat ships, minesweepers, patrol craft, and all of the Navy's amphibious ships which carry US Marines. They have a diverse background and must know how to operate and fight their ships. All new Ensigns will start with ship handling and move into more combat-focused roles as they progress in rank. From day 1 Surface Warfare Officers are expected to lead their division of enlisted sailors making this career path the quickest way to lead and have a direct impact on the US Navy and the crew of your ship.
View more about Surface Warfare Officers.
See more information about Surface Warfare Officers on the My Navy HR page (including the career planner tool) or see more about service selection for Surface Warfare Officers.
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Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer
Nuclear Surface Warfare Officers are in charge of running nuclear reactors on USN aircraft carriers. Keeping the pride of the US fleet powered is one of the most rewarding jobs. Majoring in Engineering, Math, Chemistry, or other STEM-focused majors will aid in getting selected to become a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer. Every officer in this pipeline will have to spend time on one of the many nonnuclear platforms to earn their Surface Warfare Officer pin, then they begin their nuclear training. Every Nuclear officer has to pass a series of interviews and technical exams before they are allowed to join the service making it a highly selective community.
View more about Nuclear Surface Warfare Officers.
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Submariner
Upon commissioning every Ensign selected for Submarine Warfare will attend one year of advanced nuclear power training, starting with six months of classroom training at Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, S.C. After NPS, you will have six months of practical, hands-on training at one of the Navy's two shore-based reactor training facilities (Nuclear Power Training Units - NPTU) in upstate New York or Charleston, South Carolina.
View more about becoming a Submarine Officer.
See more about the Submarine Community on the My Navy HR page.
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Naval Aviator
Naval Aviators fly all of the US Navy’s jets, helicopters, drones, and patrol aircraft. They spend at least 2 years earning their wings and becoming comfortable on their platform. The use of aircraft is a huge advantage in the modern battlespace. Air dominance allows for surface ships and transport aircraft to safely operate and attack the enemy. US Naval aviators can have a wide variety of mission sets and have to train and prepare for anything they may face on the battlefield.
In order to become a Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer, a Midshipman will have to pass the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) which can be taken at any point during their time at the University of Nebraska Lincoln NROTC. They will have three opportunities to pass the minimum standards, but a higher score will be required to be competitive for a limited number of naval aviators and naval flight officer slots during service selection. Several UNL NROTC alumni have gotten perfect or near-perfect scores.
View more about becoming a Naval Aviator.
See more about the Aviation community on the My Navy HR website.
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Naval Flight Officer
Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) operate the other advanced systems on a naval aircraft and may also be the overall tactical coordinators of multiple aircraft during a mission. They do not fly the aircraft because by dividing the labor the Aviators and NFOs are allowed to concentrate more closely on mission tasks that require their specific individual expertise. They spend around 2 years earning their wings and becoming comfortable on their platform.
In order to become a Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer, a Midshipman will have to pass the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) which can be taken at any point during their time at the University of Nebraska Lincoln NROTC. They will have three opportunities to pass the minimum standards, but a higher score will be required to be competitive for a limited number of naval aviators and naval flight officer slots during service selection. Several UNL NROTC alumni have gotten perfect or near-perfect scores.
View more about becoming a Naval Flight Officer (NFO)
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SEAL
As a Naval Special Warfare qualified unrestricted line officer, you will lead and command NSW forces at all levels of rank. A SEAL officer becomes an expert at conducting special operations in complex, politically sensitive, and dangerous environments. US Navy SEALS have one of the most selective processes in the US Navy. A prospective SEAL will first have to apply for and pass Seal Officer Assessment And Selection (SOAS) between their junior and senior years. If picked through service selection to become a SEAL, the officer must pass Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S) and Seal Qualification Training (SQT).
Learn more about Seal Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS)
Learn more about becoming a SEAL Officer
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Explosive Ordnance Disposal – EOD
EOD officers have a tough training pipeline and are required to be physically fit and quick on their feet. Using advanced tools like cutting-edge robotic technology and explosives chemistry, this elite group performs missions that require immense bravery—from jumping out of airplanes to blowing up underwater mines.
Learn more about becoming an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer (EOD)
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