With U.S. national security on the line, the Navy relies on some of most intelligent and capable people to gather and communicate information, which is vital to the defense of our country. Officers in the Intelligence and Communications field decipher and protect highly classified information. They are the Navys intelligence experts. From coding and decoding classified information to detecting enemy radar signals to directing the tracking of surface and inbound threats, Intelligence and Communications officers are in charge of keeping the fleet informed with reports on the latest world affairs, hostile threats and other news and developments. If the responsibility of handling high-tech, global and often classified information appeals to you, stimulate your brain by pursuing a career as an Intelligence and Communications officer.

What Will You Do?
Intelligence and Communications officers must be able to meet all security clearance requirements. Armed with often secretive real-time information, officers in this field are focused on collecting and communicating information and data. They provide tactical, strategic and operational intelligence support to U.S. naval forces, joint and multi-national military forces and executive-level decision-makers in our national government. You could handle highly classified documents, defend ships against inbound threats and transform raw data into vital intelligence information. The most state-of-the-art electronic equipment is available to the officers in this field. As part of this occupational specialty, you might:

• Track surface and inbound targets
• Operate underwater communications equipment
• Defend ships against inbound threats including anti-ship missiles
• Direct sea, ground and aerial surveillance
• Analyze intelligence information
• Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions
• Direct the analysis of aerial photos and other intelligence data
• Brief commanders on intelligence findings
• Direct the use of computer systems to store and process intelligence data
• Provide cryptologic and related functions as directed by the Chief of Naval Operations
• Provide cryptologic and information warfare support to deployed ships, submarines and aircraft
• Provide information warfare protection to minimize foreign exploitation of the Navys electromagnetic system

Skills and Training
There are a few ways to become a naval officer. Enrolling in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) or the U.S. Naval Academy are two paths toward gaining a commission. Other prospective officers attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 13-week Navy orientation school in Pensacola, Florida. OCS prepares you for the roles and responsibilities expected of and afforded to U.S. naval officers through academic and military courses and physical fitness training. Course subjects include naval operations, orientation and administration, Navy history, strategic deterrence and sea control, shipboard management, combat systems, ship control and surface ship fundamentals.

After successful completion of OCS, you will attend either the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia or the Naval Cryptologic Officer Basic Course in Pensacola, Florida.

The Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center offers courses on national security, strategic and electronic intelligence organization, anti-submarine, anti-surface, anti-air, amphibious and strike warfare, counter-intelligence, air defense analysis and combat mission planning.

The Naval Cryptologic Officer Basic Course teaches new intelligence officers the fundamentals of cryptology and includes topics such as: U.S. security, the U.S. cryptologic system, electromagnetic theory, RADARs, satellite fundamentals and signal collection operations.

Educational Opportunities
Opportunities abound for continuing education and training throughout a Navy officers career. Navy officers can continue their education by attending one of the military service colleges to study military strategies, tactics and joint operations with other branches of the armed forces. As an officer, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is also an attractive tour of duty option, that allows you to earn a masters or doctorate degree while being paid full-time as naval officer.

Career Outlook
The specialized knowledge and expertise you could gain as an Intelligence and Communications officer coupled with your security clearance may prepare you for coveted jobs in government agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Gaining valuable insight from travelling internationally can also provide you with experience that is highly valued by employers in the private sector.

Special Pay/Bonuses
As a naval officer, your hard work is not only rewarded with an excellent salary, youll also receive generous bonuses. Officers can earn additional pay for sea duty or special pay for serving on a submarine.

If youd like to find out more about career opportunities with the U.S. Navy, Request More Information.