Whether its bullets or bacon, antennas or aspirin- Supply, Transportation and Logistics officers ensure that the Navy and its Sailors have the crucial supplies and transportation means needed to successfully complete their missions. Officers in the Supply, Transportation and Logistics field provide the inventory, organization and careful transport of the materials and resources needed by the Navys Sailors, ships, squadrons, submarines and shore stations across the globe. This worldwide effort requires individuals with strong leadership, organization and strategic planning skills. As a natural leader, if you are also proficient in math and enjoy planning and troubleshooting, a career as a Supply, Transportation and Logistics officer may prove ideal for you.

What Will You Do?
Your job is to ensure that materials needed by your ship, squadron, submarine or shore facility are available and in good order. As the Navys true business managers, officers in this field are either part of the Navy Supply Corps or are transportation and logistics managers. These officers perform executive-level duties in inventory control, financial management, physical distribution systems, petroleum management, personnel transportation and other related areas. Your office may be on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea or on the flight line of an air cargo terminal in Japan. Your knowledge of logistics might save hours of time getting critical supplies to Sailors in the field. As a Supply, Transportation and Logistics officer you may:

• Analyze the demand for supplies and forecast future needs
• Manage the inspection, shipping, handling and packaging of supplies and equipment
• Direct personnel who receive inventory and issue supplies and equipment
• Evaluate bids and proposals submitted by potential suppliers
• Study ways to use space and distribute supplies efficiently
• Determine the fastest, most economic way to transport cargo or personnel
• Schedule pick-up and delivery of shipments
• Oversee the handling of special items, such as medicine and explosives
• Direct the packing and crating of cargo
• Ensure that transport forms, records and reports are prepared correctly

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.

As a Supply Corps officer, you will further attend the Navy Supply School in Athens, Georgia for a 27-week Basic Qualification Course. This course emphasizes problem-solving in real shipboard situations and provides training in inventory management, food and retail operations, leadership and management.

As a Transportation or Logistics officer, you will also receive specialized training prior to your first assignment. Some of your advanced training may include transportation management, freight classifications, methods of working with civilian and other service carriers and special handling of medicine and explosives.

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 skills you will acquire as a Supply, Transportation and Logistics officer are essential to businesses and industries in the civilian sector. The leadership, organization and strategic planning experience you stand to gain will provide you with invaluable experience for both Navy and civilian careers. Training in Supply, Transportation and Logistics prepares you for management positions in hospitals, schools, government agencies, airline companies, shipping firms and a number of other private sector positions.

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.