Can I commission directly into the Navy Reserve?

2020-11-16T01:49:28-05:00

I am a current SPC in the TXARNG with about a year and a half left in my contract. I am also on track to complete my associate's in the spring and am eligible for tuition exemption due to being a full time police officer in Texas. I have recently decided that after my EAS I would pursue a commission in the Navy, bu frankly I love my job as a cop! Therefore I'm left in a situation where I want to become a Naval officer, but also dont want to leave my current full time career. Is there a way to commission directly into the USNR? I would prefer an NROTC route as opposed to OCS, but as far as I've seen most NROTCs require an active duty commitment. Thank you in advance for your advice!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 1:50 AM

2020-11-16T01:50:01-05:00

*but frankly

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 1:52 AM

2020-11-16T01:52:44-05:00

Yes, the Navy Reserve has a DCO program. It depends on what community you’d be interested in and are qualified for.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 1:53 AM

2020-11-16T01:53:36-05:00

You need a bachelor’s degree or higher though.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Nov 16 at 2020 2:05 AM

2020-11-16T02:05:29-05:00

Generally direct commissions are for areas where the military needs you more than you need us. The R in ROTC stands for reserve and it is not uncommon for ROTC grads to go into the reserves. Go talk to an NROTC unit nearby and get their take.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 16 at 2020 2:15 AM

2020-11-16T02:15:54-05:00

With a bachelor's degree, you can commission into the Navy Reserves through OCS or NROTC. Direct commissions are typically reserved for doctors, dentists, nurses, and lawyers. There is an Accessions Officer that will steer you through the process. They are typically capped Reserve O-4s with a lot of experience separating the top say 30% out. That is the short skating program. The long skate is getting facetime with Reviewing Officers. I was one for many years for the Civil Engineer Corps. You don't pass GO without a positive endorsement from one of these. Rank can vary but for us, we mostly had O-6s do the interviews and review. We'd have a good idea on who'd likely do well vs. not. For any designator, there is a desired number every year. That number wiggles a bit, but not too greatly as undershooting means a gap that can last 20 years. Overshooting means a greater failure of selection percentage for O-4 10 years later. For my staff corps, we needed about 100 officers/year. We'd have about 500 applicants and the reviewing officers would sift through around 150 or so. Even so, we send good people home after 10 years. Just know it isn't about getting in the door, it's being given a shot to perform well and promote up over time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 3:01 AM

2020-11-16T03:01:48-05:00

I think your path to a commission in the USAR is almost a given once you have the degree out of the way. You are already a cop, so whatever selection criteria you jumped through to become a cop should be sufficient for a USAR commission.

Next, you are already in the NG, and 92 series. 92 series (Quartermasters) are among the most vacant slots for USAR officers.

Finally, if you are going Reserves, then it really doesn't matter what your MOS/Branch really is while in garrison because you will be doing pretty much the same thing wherever you land. Mandatory training, exercise planning meetings, ACFT, and medical readiness.

I'm just saying, by time you landed a Navy Commission to O1/Ensign you'd probably be a USAR/NG O3/CPT. Also, unlike the Navy, if you can put up with the Army long enough you will get to 20 years before they would kick you out for non advancement.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 9:02 AM

2020-11-16T09:02:15-05:00

Yes, you can, if you have experience in the areas that the USN is looking for.

Currently:
The Direct Commission Officer Program is available to those who qualify in the following fields:

Attorney (JAG)
Aviation (Flight Support)
Chaplain
Civil Engineering
Human Resources
Information Professional
Information Warfare
Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations
Public Affairs
Purchasing, Supply & Logistics
Recruiter
Surface Warfare Officer

See the following link:

https://www.navy.com/joining-navy-if-you-have-served

Joining the Navy with Prior Military Service - Navy.com

If you have served in the military before, find out how you can put your prior military service and experience to work with the option to serve in the Navy Reserve.

Response by 2LT Scott Friend made Nov 19 at 2020 8:39 AM

2020-11-19T08:39:33-05:00

Unless you are going into a specialty branch within the Navy (Med, JAG, Chaplaincy, etc.) then my understanding is you will have to take the OCS or NROTC route. I'm saying this as a current Chaplain Candidate in the Army who was a direct commission (I'm prior Navy Enlisted) into the Army Reserves while I complete my seminary program with eventual plans to return to Active Duty. Each specialty branch will have its own respective requirements (which you can find with a Google search, or speak to the local recruiter for that branch such as a Chaplain recruiter, Med recruiter, etc., not just the general recruiter). For example, for me to complete my commission I had to go through an application, the interview process, get an ecclesiastical endorsement (this would vary by denomination), show that I was enrolled full time in an M.Div. program, etc. I, too, am in TX and if you need more assistance/guidance feel free to send me a message and I can help get you pointed in the right direction.