Career Options

Surface Warfare
Submarine Warfare
Aviation
Special Warfare
Special Operations
USMC
 

Surface Warfare [top] (111X)

The Surface Warfare Community is composed of officers who are qualified in the surface warfare specialty, who man the surface ships of the Navy and whose goal is to command those ships. The Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) must develop experience and in-depth knowledge in a specific line discipline (operations, combat systems or engineering) and learn the fundamentals of engineering, weapon systems, and operational tactics. A SWO's knowledge of surface warfare must also include an understanding of the operations of the various ship types within the surface force including carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, amphibious, mine warfare and combat logistics force ships. Eventually, it must also include an appreciation of air and submarine warfare, as well as operations in a multi-threat environment.

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Submarine Warfare [top] (112X)

The fundamental goal of the nuclear trained submarine officer is to develop the professional skills and operational background to command a nuclear submarine. The achievement of this goal is accomplished through a well-defined series of professional qualifications, advanced training and operational sea experience outlined in the professional development path, figure 11-5 in the Appendix. Completion of Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Prototype Training will be the first challenge facing a Nuclear Submarine Officer after commissioning.
Upon completion of Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Prototype training, the officer is assigned to a submarine. Prior to reporting to the first submarine, the officer attends a 13 week Submarine Office Basic Course in Groton, CT. This period of instruction provides an opportunity to learn the theory and principles of submarine operation and control, the basic administrative responsibilities of a division officer, the theory of the submerged fire control problem and weapons systems, and the fundamentals of submarine operations and tactics.

Aviation [top] (131X/132X)

The Aviation Warfare Community consists of pilots and Naval Flight Officers (NFOs). Pilots and NFOs are trained to fly and operate the weapon systems of naval aircraft.
All pilots and NFOs begin their Naval aviation career training at the Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, FL. Student pilot training generally requires 12 to 18 months to complete. For pilots, the general type of aircraft (helicopter, jet, propeller) to be flown will be determined and the appropriate training curriculum entered. All student NFOs enter either the jet or propeller pipeline and begin initial basic training in Pensacola. Integrated "joint" training with the other services is now a reality, and it all begins at VT-10 in Pensacola, Fla, where USN, USMC, USAF, and USCG student NFO's receive their initial basic undergraduate NFO training. Follow-on intermediate and advanced training is conducted at either Pensacola or Randolf AFB, Texas (Advanced NAV for P-3, EP-3, E-6A), respectively. Final assignment to a particular fleet aircraft type occurs just prior to receiving the coveted "wings of gold".

Special Warfare [top] (118X)

The newly commissioned officer may elect to pursue a career in Special Warfare (SPECWAR). SPECWAR Officers concentrate on the development of skills in the areas of unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency, coastal and riverine interdiction, and tactical intelligence collection. To enter this career area, the officer must meet the various physical prerequisites, volunteer for hazardous duty, and request and be selected to receive Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training. BUDS training is a 6 month course that is both physically and mentally demanding. It is specifically designed to provide the necessary basic physical and technical skills needed by the Special Warfare operator, and its requirements are sufficiently demanding so that only those who are highly motivated complete the course. In BUDS training, officers receive instruction in the planning and conduct of all phases and forms of hydrographic reconnaissance, land and underwater demolitions, individual and crew served weapons, small unit tactics, land reconnaissance, and various types of SCUBA.

Special Operations [top] (119X)

Special Operations (SPECOPS), the Navy's newest warfare community, was approved by the Secretary of the Navy in 1978 in order to preserve certain perishable skills that were slowly but surely being lost in our cadre of officers. A typical career professional development path is depicted in figure 11-8 in the Appendix. Today, SPECOPS provides a sustained, progressive, cost effective, and ready capability in four functional areas:
§ Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD),
§ Diving and Salvage (D&S)
§ Expendable Ordnance Management (EOM) and
§ Mine Countermeasures (MCM)
The SPECOPS community is responsible for all aspects of Navy diving and salvage, and membership requires a general understanding of all facets of diving (surface supplied, mixed gas, and saturation). In fact, diving provides the common base that assures compatibility of the four SPECOPS functional areas. Most aspects of conventional and nuclear weapon production, renovation, and logistic support are also within the scope of a SPECOPS officer's duties.

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USMC[[top](120X)

The Marine Corps has been an integral part of the Naval Service for more than 230 years and is renowned world-over for its leadership, determination, and loyalty. From the inception on November 10, 1775 at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia to the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, Marines have earned their reputation as the most effective fighting force in the world operating in the air, on land and on the sea.  Standards are high-- self-discipline and initiative are key factors for success in the Marine Corps.  Physical Fitness is in integral part in making a Marine Officer and it is rigorous and mentally challenging.  Each perspective Marine Officer must attend and successfully complete Officer Candidate School (www.ocs.usmc.mil ) and earn a degree in order to become a Marine Second Lieutenant.

As a Marine Option NROTC scholarship student, you will attend training each summer.

·         Freshmen attend Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) East (VA) or West (CA) in between freshman and sophomore year.

·         Sophomores attend Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) in Bridgeport, CA in between sophomore and junior year.

·         Juniors attend and must successfully complete Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA (www.ocs.usmc.mil) in between junior and senior year. ***Required for commissioning and this requirement cannot be waived.***

·         NROTC students commissioned as Second Lieutenants will report to The Basic School (www.tbs.usmc.mil ) in Quantico, VA for training and will compete for a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

These include:

• Civil Affairs Officer 0107
• Adjutant 0180
• Marine Air/Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Intelligence Ofiicer 0202
• Ground Intelligence Officer 0203
• Human Source Intelligence Officer 0204
• Tactical Intelligence Officer 0205
• Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare Officer 0206
• Air Intelligence Officer 0207
• Counterintelligence Officer 0210
• Geographic Intelligence Officer 0260
• Infantry Officer 0302
• Light-Armored Vehicle (LAV) Officer 0303
• Logistics Officer 0402
• Communications Information Systems Officer 0602
• Field Artillery Officer 0802
• Engineer Officer 1302
• Tank Officer 1802
• Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Officer 1803
• Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Officer 2602
• Electronics Maintenance Officer (Ground) 2802
• Ground Supply Officer 3002
• Financial Management Officer 3404
• Motor Transport Officer 3502
• Disbursing Office/Finance 3902
• Public Affairs Officer 4302
• Military Police Officer 5803
• Aircraft Maintenance Officer 6002
• Aviation Supply Officer 6602
• Air Support Control 7208
• Air Defense Control 7210
• Air Traffic Control 7220
• Naval Flight Officer 7580
• Naval Aviator 7599

Additional information about these different careers can found in the USMC MOS manual: (https://www.tbs.usmc.mil/Pages/MyMOS/All_MOS.asp)

Additional information concerning the Notre Dame Marine Option program can be found here: (http://www.nd.edu/~nrotc/marines/index.html )

For additional information about how to apply for a Marine Option NROTC Scholarship go to: (https://www.nrotc.navy.mil)

For additional information on the Marine Option Program at Notre Dame go to (http://www.nd.edu/~nrotc/marines/index.html)