Joining the Navy as an Officer?

Question

In May of 2009, I will be graduating high school, but I will also have a 2-year General Studies Associates Degree. I will be 18. At what point are people able to join the Navy as officers? Would I be able to join at that point or do I need my BA or BS before I can join as an officer?

If it helps, I will be studying psychology when I transfer the Fall after I graduate.

My parents, who were both in the Navy, also said that the Navy will pay for my college. Do they only pay for the education you receive while currently in the armed forces, or do they reimburse you for your education prior to that point? I've heard mixed thoughts from other people.

That's not significant if you don't know. I'm more interested in what I first asked.

Thanks for your help. =]

Answer 1

The Navy will pay 100% tuition for all personnel on active duty.  However, you could also potentially get a scholarship from your JROTC program.  You will need to attend a university that offers Naval ROTC and complete your BA before you get your commission.  There are other avenues of approach, but that should most likely be your best course of action.

Answer 2

4 year degree required..preferably with a 3.5 or better GPA in a Hard science like Math or Engineering.  a Psychology degree  will be useless unless you plan on going all the way to Masters or Doctorate and then seeking a Direct Commission.  

you can get college paid for in a variety of ways..NROTC, BDCP, USNA, enlisting and then using TA and the GI Bill.  .  if you go USNA, though, you will do all 4 years, period.  

Answer 3

To answer your questions:

1. To get your commission (sign up as an officer), you need to have your BA degree. Your AA doesn't count, but it's good to have it out of the way. I started college at 16 as well...certainly helps out, doesn't it? :)

2. The military will pay for your college while you are in (you won't typically get special assignment, you'll just be going to college AND doing your Navy job), it's called Tuition Assistance when they do this. It is a set amount of money, so if you find a school you really like that costs more per quarter than TA will give you, you'll have to foot that bill.

You have another option called the MESEP program, but you must enlist first to do so. The MESEP is you getting paid to go to college while you are a reservist under the idea that for every year it takes for you to get your BA, you owe the Navy that much time back as an officer. You can also enlist and once you hit E-4 or E-5, you have the MESEP option there as well.

After you get out, you certainly can use your GI Bill.

Any way you slice it, officer = BA/BS degree.

To answer your other question, no, they do not pay you for existing student loans or other college-related debt that you incurred prior to signing that contract. However, any existing debt you have gets changed under the SCRA so they can't charge you more than 6% interest...so if you did something silly and paid for college on credit cards because your mom told you this way you can pay for college AND build your credit, they can't charge you as much.

If you have more questions, you can always email me.  

Answer 4

You need a bachelor degree in order to be considered for a commission to officer.  

Answer 5

You must have a BA or a BS to become a Naval Officer

There are several ways to become a naval officer.

You can attend the United States Naval Academy. This is very competitive and you must be appointed. The application process is very involved and is geared towards people that want to be engineers. If this is something you would want to pursue you are probably to late for next summer but you could try for the summer of 2010.

Secondly is the Navy Reserve Officers Training Course. Again there is an application process that is very involved. You must attend a college that has an NROTC program or is near a college that shares there program. You can be an NROTC Midshipman with or without scholarship and there is an opportunity to earn a scholarship once you join.

The third way is to apply for a commission as you near college graduation.

Enlisted personnel that earn a degree can apply for officer candidate school. There are educational programs avaiable through the Navy to help you earn a degree. Some colleges even have sattelite campuses on Navy bases.

Also, those seeking a medical degree such as nurse or doctor can go do so on a Navy Scholarship. The Navy Doctors don't have to pay for malpractice insurance.  There are also other professions that can qualify for scholarships such as lawyers.

Check the Navy website or visit your nearest Navy Recruitment office for more current information.