Hello all,

I leave on 20080205 as an IS/E-3 for RTC. I would like to work my way up to an Officer possibly in the Intel field, but not sure of that yet.

What is the process to becoming an officer? I am new this and would like to get some advice on this issue. I might want to cross rate eventually into CTT or CTN, but not sure.

Thank you all for your help as usual.

There are several ways to become an Officer.

1) Become a top-notch Chief Petty Officer and apply for the Chief Warrant Officer program. You will be viewed as a technical expert in one field (in your case, Intel). Warrants get respected by both Enlisted and Officers alike, because people know what it takes to be selected as one.

2) Become a top-notch CPO or CPO board eligible PO1 and apply for the Limited Duty Officer Program. Much like CWOs, LDOs are experts in their fields.

All other commissioning programs will require you to have or earn a Bachelor's Degree. You can choose to serve your enlistment, then earn your degree and apply for OCS. You can (if you meet the qualifications) apply for acceptance to either the Naval Academy or the Navy ROTC program. You could apply for the Navy's STA-21 program.

All of the ways an enlisted Sailor can become an Officer are listed in OPNAVINST 1420.1A Enlisted To Officer Commissioning Programs Application Administrative Manual.

Google "OPNAV 1420.1A"

The OPNAV 1420 is the end-all guidance to active duty enlist-to-officer accession programs.

The requirement for most commissioning programs is a Bachelors degree.

You can either get a Bachelors first then apply (OCS)
Or compete for Navy-sponsored schooling (STA-21:Seaman-to-Admiral program or the Naval Academy if you are young enough)

STA-21 is by far one of the most popular programs since you go to school full-time AND stay on Active Duty AND are still allowed to take advancement exams. You have to complete the degree in 3 years or less.

If you already have your Bachelors you are only eligible for OCS. Officer Candidate School recently moved to Rhode Island from P-cola. It is 12 weeks and with Marine Drill Instructors.

If you don't want to get a degree CWO/LDO officer programs is an option. . .none of those apply until you have at least 8 years in the Navy. . .at which point you oughta know how they work.