While the U.S. Navy has the most technically and tactically advanced defense and war-fighting capabilities on land, in the air and under the sea, the mainstay of the force is the vast fleet of aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, dock landing ships and other surface vessels. These ships and their crews are commanded and managed by an elite group of ship drivers and ship fighters- the Navys Surface Warfare officers. If youre up for the challenge of inspiring a ships crew and being at the helm of million-dollar high-tech equipment, accelerate your life as a Surface Warfare officer.

What Will You Do?
Surface Warfare officers are involved in virtually every aspect of Navy missions. Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Land Attack, Theatre Air Missile Defense, support for Marine Corps missions, communications, damage control, and shipboard management all rely on the knowledge and expertise of officers in the Surface Warfare community. During a sea tour, Surface Warfare officers may be in charge of any number of shipboard operations and activities and may work with or within the following forces:

• Aircraft Carrier Forces: Provide and coordinate air defense from conventional and nuclear-powered carriers.
• Cruiser-Destroyer Forces: Provide ship attack and defense measures with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing anti-air, submarine and surface warfare support.
• Amphibious Forces: Embark and transport vehicles, cargo and troops for amphibious assault operations.
• Combat-Logistics Forces: Provide combatant ships with fuel, ammunition, food and supplies and provide repair, maintenance and rescue capabilities through fleet support ships.
• Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and neutralize threats to maritime forces from hostile use of mines.

Shore duty may involve a tour of duty at the Pentagon, a student assignment at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, or command and management positions at shore bases and stations across the globe. If you have a love for travel and adventure on the high seas, becoming a part of the Surface Warfare community could be just for you.

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.

Graduates of OCS, the U.S. Naval Academy and NROTC attend the Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island. This 17-week course prepares newly commissioned officers for shipboard duty and provides basic knowledge of ship operations. Study areas include surface combat systems, operational concepts, watch standing of critical shipboard operations, engineering and more. Follow-on specialty schools for more advanced training are generally attended directly after the introductory 17-week course and last three to seven weeks.

Your initial sea tour lasts a total of 24 months, including time at sea and in port. During this tour, your new knowledge is applied to actual shipboard situations. The ship will have an organized Surface Warfare officer training program that helps you complete Personnel Qualifications Standards (PQS) and qualify as a Surface Warfare officer. Your initial duty will be as a Division Officer in operations, engineering, combat systems or deck departments.

Educational Opportunities
As a Navy officer, education and training is an integral and ongoing part of your career. You will likely have the opportunity to earn advanced degrees. You can also take advantage of the Navys tuition-assistance program, which pays a percentage of accredited college courses and programs. If you become a Surface Warfare officer, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is also an attractive tour of duty option, which allows you to earn a masters or doctorate degree.

Career Outlook
Surface Warfare officers are the leaders onboard the worlds most powerful vessels, managing professional and highly trained Sailors in maintaining and operating ships systems. Training as a Surface Warfare officer directly translates to civilian careers in executive-level management as well as many technology and high-tech specialty systems. Each year, a select few candidates for the Surface Warfare program are offered a chance to specialize in Information Technology (IT), Oceanography (Ocean) or Engineering Duty Officer (EDO). If you have skills or interest in these fields, you may qualify for these exciting careers. As a Surface Warfare officer, managing and motivating personnel, assuming responsibility for multi-million dollar systems and equipment and gaining valuable insight from travelling the world will provide you with experience that is invaluable to explorers in the private sector.

Special Pay/Bonuses
Following three years of duty at sea, Surface Warfare officers earn additional sea duty pay. Upon selection to Department Head, Surface Warfare officers can earn up to $50,000 in bonuses for signing on an additional five-year split sea tour as a Department Head.

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