Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps - OCS

OCS

NROTC is one of the four main ways to become a U.S. Naval Officer. The other ways include the Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS). OCS admits candidates who already have a college degree, and is similar to a recruit training for officers. ROTC and Academy graduates are generally required to become Unrestricted Line Officers, while Navy OCS graduates can choose to become Restricted, Unrestricted Line or Staff Officers. Unrestricted Line Officers are Surface, Submarine, Aviation, Special Operations, or Special Warfare (SEAL) Officers. The restricted line includes other officers, such as Naval Intelligence and Information Warfare officers; Staff officers serve supporting roles such as JAG officers, Navy Nurse Corps officers and medical officers. Restricted Line officers are not trained to have command of a ship at sea; they can only command a shore installation. An alternative for people seeking Marine Corps commissions is appointment to the United States Naval Academy as with those seeking naval commissions. Other alternatives are the Officer Candidates Course and the Platoon Leaders Class, the most common routes to becoming Marine officers. These options allow Candidates to select ground, aviation, or law assignments. All USMC officers are trained in basic infantry tactics at The Basic School after commissioning.