Posted on Jul 4, 2025
How do I excel in the Navy Reserves to become an LDO?
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Hello all, I am currently prior service Army in the Navy Reserves as an E4 Yeoman since January 2025. I have just finished my masters in public administration. I do really like it just super confused about the culture and how everything works. I really want to excel and ultimately become an LDO. Does anyone have any advice or career insight as to how to be a standout sailor or what I can do to have a good shot at LDO?
Posted in these groups: 
Navy Reserve
YN: Yeoman
Navy Reserve YN: Yeoman
Posted 1 mo ago
Responses: 6
PO3 (Join to see) Being a subject master expert in your field is the first step. Take every opportunity to develop your leadership skills. Work on your weak areas to make yourself as well rounded as possible. Learn from your mistakes so that you do not repeat them. Never quit!
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Good morning PO3 (Join to see). Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this Shipmate. Being that you switched branches, I'm not sure if you're active duty Reserves, or a drilling Reservist. If you're active duty Reserves, you can talk to an LDO or a career counselor. Being that you're a YN3, it is very competitive to make YN2. I'm not sure if the regulations changed or not, or what the minimum rank is from enlisted to LDO. I'm not sure if the Navy still has the blue to gold program or not. I'm speaking from experience. I started out active duty Navy and it was very competitive as far as advancing and getting promoted. Because a Sailor can pass an advancement exam, but not have enough points in order to get advanced in rate. Same goes for the reserve side. But, it can be done. I've know a lot of Sailors who went from enlisted to LDO.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
LDO applicants have to be PO1 and have taken the CPO exam. The other big step is you have to have your commanders endorsement. The link I posted has the designators and if there is a required rate to apply.
You are right about promotions. Some of the small ratings are hard to get slots to promote. Everyone seems to jam up at CPO and if there is a point system, they don't seem to follow it very well, or have some subjective stuff that not in the rules.
I've been trying to figure out the promotion system for about 17 years, my son is MA.
You are right about promotions. Some of the small ratings are hard to get slots to promote. Everyone seems to jam up at CPO and if there is a point system, they don't seem to follow it very well, or have some subjective stuff that not in the rules.
I've been trying to figure out the promotion system for about 17 years, my son is MA.
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I would recommend finding a Chief or LPO to mentor you to help you excel in your goals. I highly recommend finding an LDO to mentor you to meet that goal as well. I suggest two separate mentors for a reason as you will get specific guidance from each as a career enlisted/officer. You are just a 3rd Class at the moment so the best thing you can do at the moment is perfect your position, learn as much as you can and continue to learn and be a little humble in the process as you are at a slight disadvantage compared to your peers as they have experience you don't but you also have experience they don't so you have a slight advantage as well. Just pick your moments and know when to hold back as well. Just keep moving forward and and advance and don't become static and you will be just fine. But having mentors will help you stay on target and learn the things you don't know you don't know yet.
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