Posted on Mar 12, 2018
What is the difference between an Unrestricted Line officer and a Restricted Line officer in the Navy? What is an officer of the Line anyway?
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SN Greg Wright Short Answer, unrestricted line officers can serve as Commanding Officer of warships ships.
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An unrestricted line officer (in the most general and concise sense) is one whose designator (community identification code) places them in line for command of a warfare asset. For example, ships, ashore, squadrons, etc. Restricted line officers are still officers due proper respect and courtesy, but (again, generally) not in line for command (of warfare assets...I believe they can hold "command" of non-warfare units). There's a third distinction, Restricted Line-Special Duty, generally LDOs.
I'm probably leaving out lots of details that our LDO, RL members can elaborate upon, but I think the best examples of RL would be JAG, Medical, HR, etc while LDOs are usually "Subject Matter Experts" in fields like maintenance and logistics.
The visible difference is the use of a "star" (line officer) or the community emblem (RL/LDO) on the SDB uniform, immediately above the sleeve rank.
As I recall, the term "officer of the line" is a hold-over from when ships fought in "the line" formation. Capital ships were known as "Ships of the Line", so the direct inference to being able to command one.
I'm probably leaving out lots of details that our LDO, RL members can elaborate upon, but I think the best examples of RL would be JAG, Medical, HR, etc while LDOs are usually "Subject Matter Experts" in fields like maintenance and logistics.
The visible difference is the use of a "star" (line officer) or the community emblem (RL/LDO) on the SDB uniform, immediately above the sleeve rank.
As I recall, the term "officer of the line" is a hold-over from when ships fought in "the line" formation. Capital ships were known as "Ships of the Line", so the direct inference to being able to command one.
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Unrestricted=no restrictions to commanding a ship. Officer of the line (for all services) are the operational (front line) officers, and not the restricted or support officers. That was what I was taught a few years ago....
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Unrestricted line officers are in a career track where they can potentially command a ship some day. Restricted line officers are rare but they are "stuck" in their specialties. (For example, my father was a unrestricted line officer who's specialty was underwater ordnance.) Other officers are in particular specialties such as JAGs, doctors, nurses, civil engineers, chaplains etc. As they are highly specialized, they can only do one particular job.
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CPO (Join to see)
That is pretty good answer. The one thing you put is take command of ship. The role of CEC officer is not exactly one job, they can and do have command of Operational Combat support elements, and can command certain Shore basses. They also serve as PWO's and are third in command on all shore stations, and in case of FROCEPCON measures will act as Operations officer for that event. The Navy has even thought about changing from Unrestricted to Restricted source, but because of specialty they have not. The reason is on shore command who understand the base operations and Force protection better then a CEC officer.
I can not vet the information, but was told from high ranking officers that the CEC thing was thought about during WW II when they were in Combat all over and large commands they had at the time to be unrestricted, but old SWO and Aviation Types did not like that. So they moved all NCF elements into reserve corps and left them there until they reactivated for Korea, they just left them as Corps Officers, or as you say specialty types.
I can not vet the information, but was told from high ranking officers that the CEC thing was thought about during WW II when they were in Combat all over and large commands they had at the time to be unrestricted, but old SWO and Aviation Types did not like that. So they moved all NCF elements into reserve corps and left them there until they reactivated for Korea, they just left them as Corps Officers, or as you say specialty types.
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CPO (Join to see)
Not true sir, for the Navy. Line can serve over any type war command, and or ships. Meaning an Aviation Officer can command a combatant ship, but they usually command Air wings and Aircraft carrier (like the female that just took charge of one). Now a Line can do any type command, but will usually command combat type commands or ships. There are special Type commands that Restricted can command , example would be NCF or Seabee commands, also Logistics officer can command certain Combat support unit like Cargo Handling, and Customs Battalions, even special JTF like Detainee operations, That CEC and Log officers have commanded in the Navy on JTF's. The big thing for the Navy is any Unrestricted can drive any ship if needed, Also command any Navy Shore Command. This is where things can get crazy is small units and specific Shore basses.
The example is like CBC Gulf Port MS, and NVBC Base Ventura.
The example is like CBC Gulf Port MS, and NVBC Base Ventura.
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Capt Jeff S.
In theory, but I think the reality is a little more messy.
Do understand that my observations are 18 years old and subject to the fuzz of time. I don't claim to be a subject matter expert - especially in the Navy's affairs. That said, I've read what most everyone wrote and it seems like everyone is pretty much in agreement.
Most people are saying the same thing and it jibes with what I observed during my time on Active Duty.
While restricted officers may occasionally command a vessel, the combat "ships of the line" are reserved for command by unrestricted officers. I view unrestricted officers as the warfighters at the pointy end of the spear, and restricted officers as those whose function is to support the warfighters.
The support role is not as glamorous, but it is equally important. Without the tenders and supply ships, the Navy's combat capability would eventually grind to a halt. Restricted officers tend to lean toward being technical experts in their support roles, even if they have command. They support in their command roles, such as CO of a Supply Ship or Logistics Command; but they are not front-line commanders. You will never see a restricted officer as CINCLANTFLEET for example. At least that is my understanding.
Agree? Disagree?
Do understand that my observations are 18 years old and subject to the fuzz of time. I don't claim to be a subject matter expert - especially in the Navy's affairs. That said, I've read what most everyone wrote and it seems like everyone is pretty much in agreement.
Most people are saying the same thing and it jibes with what I observed during my time on Active Duty.
While restricted officers may occasionally command a vessel, the combat "ships of the line" are reserved for command by unrestricted officers. I view unrestricted officers as the warfighters at the pointy end of the spear, and restricted officers as those whose function is to support the warfighters.
The support role is not as glamorous, but it is equally important. Without the tenders and supply ships, the Navy's combat capability would eventually grind to a halt. Restricted officers tend to lean toward being technical experts in their support roles, even if they have command. They support in their command roles, such as CO of a Supply Ship or Logistics Command; but they are not front-line commanders. You will never see a restricted officer as CINCLANTFLEET for example. At least that is my understanding.
Agree? Disagree?
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OK I'm gonna throw a Wrench into the Gears here, From what I have read,, everything sounds like what I was taught Eon's ago but things have changed. When I was in, The bandmaster The Officer oin charge of the US Navy Band had the Musician Lyre above his stripes. last year I went to see the navy Band and found this has changed that Bandmasters now sport the Line Officer Star no longer the Lyre. I would guess as I never Assume, that they are Restricted Line Officers. Limited Shore Command capabilities??
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I am in the Air Force, so I have no clue. But I appreciate the question. I am learning something new this morning.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Well, SMSgt Merich, we old Navy and Marine Corps types read Army comments and questions quite often and have little idea what the acronyms and slang mean. This old Navy officer has little clue regarding so very many of those. I reckon what I;m saying is, Welcome to the club!
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I feel there is a joke in here somewhere....an Unrestricted Line officer and a Restricted Line officer walk into a bar...
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CWO3 Randy Weston - What's confusing for an Army Officer is that in most ways, an LDO does what Warrants do in the Army, except with a commission, but there is nothing that resembles an Unrestricted Line Officer since Army Officers have Branch/Specialty. I commissioned an Infantry Officer, then later branch transferred to the Engineers, but non LDO Naval Officers are "generalist", supposed to know something about every function of the Ship.
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CWO3 Randy Weston
CPT Lawrence Cable - The basic command structure on a ship is CO - XO - Department Heads - Division Officers. CWO's are like Division Officers where LDO's are Department Heads. Our designators also define our specialties, ie: weapons, electronics, engineering, etc. Where as URL's are as you say, "generalists". They could be an electronics Div O one day and engineering the next. Also, our Warrants hold the same commission as any other military Officer.
I kind of like the British methodolgy where URL Naval Officers either go up the Command Line or the Engineering Line.
I kind of like the British methodolgy where URL Naval Officers either go up the Command Line or the Engineering Line.
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LCDR (Join to see)
CWO3 Randy Weston - And here I thought "Commissioned Officers" held a commission from the President of the United States (with advice and consent of the Senate), while Commissioned Warrant Officers held a commission from the Secretary of the Navy.
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CWO3 Randy Weston
LCDR (Join to see) That would be true for W-1, which the Navy no longer uses and would receive a Warrant versus Commission. All Navy Chief WO's receive the same commission signed by the President as do any other US Military Commissioned Officer.
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From MYNavyHR
Restricted_line_officer
A restricted line officer is a designator given to a United States Navy and Navy Reserve line officer who is not eligible for Command at Sea. There are many different types and communities, including Engineering Duty Officers, Aerospace Engineering Duty Officers, Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officers, Naval Intelligence Officers, Cryptologic Warfare Officers, Information Operations Officers, Foreign Area Officers, Public Affairs Officers, Naval Oceanographers, Information Professionals, and Human Resources.
Limited Duty Officer & Chief Warrant Officer Programs
Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer are two separate programs that provide the Navy with officer technical managers
and technical specialists who exercise leadership in key positions throughout the service. Combined, these two communities
make up more than 11 percent of the officer corps. Both programs provide the opportunity for outstanding senior enlisted
personnel to compete for a commission. Currently, a college degree is not required to apply however, a more educated force and
a recognition of the professional benefits of education will certainly make a college degree required for future promotion.
Limited Duty Officers (LDOs)
As officer technical managers of the line or staff corps, LDOs progressively advance within broad technical fields related to
their former enlisted ratings. They fill leadership and management positions at the Ensign through Captain level that require
technical background and skills not attainable through normal development within other officer designators. LDOs serve as, but
are not limited to serving as, division officers, department heads, OICs, XOs and COs.
Chief Warrant Officers (CWOs)
Today, as commissioned officers of the line or staff corps, Navy CWOs possess the authority and are qualified by extensive
experience and knowledge to direct the most difficult and exacting operations within a given occupational specialty. Although
intended primarily as technical specialists, CWOs may also serve as division officers, department heads, and OICs.
Restricted_line_officer
A restricted line officer is a designator given to a United States Navy and Navy Reserve line officer who is not eligible for Command at Sea. There are many different types and communities, including Engineering Duty Officers, Aerospace Engineering Duty Officers, Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officers, Naval Intelligence Officers, Cryptologic Warfare Officers, Information Operations Officers, Foreign Area Officers, Public Affairs Officers, Naval Oceanographers, Information Professionals, and Human Resources.
Limited Duty Officer & Chief Warrant Officer Programs
Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer are two separate programs that provide the Navy with officer technical managers
and technical specialists who exercise leadership in key positions throughout the service. Combined, these two communities
make up more than 11 percent of the officer corps. Both programs provide the opportunity for outstanding senior enlisted
personnel to compete for a commission. Currently, a college degree is not required to apply however, a more educated force and
a recognition of the professional benefits of education will certainly make a college degree required for future promotion.
Limited Duty Officers (LDOs)
As officer technical managers of the line or staff corps, LDOs progressively advance within broad technical fields related to
their former enlisted ratings. They fill leadership and management positions at the Ensign through Captain level that require
technical background and skills not attainable through normal development within other officer designators. LDOs serve as, but
are not limited to serving as, division officers, department heads, OICs, XOs and COs.
Chief Warrant Officers (CWOs)
Today, as commissioned officers of the line or staff corps, Navy CWOs possess the authority and are qualified by extensive
experience and knowledge to direct the most difficult and exacting operations within a given occupational specialty. Although
intended primarily as technical specialists, CWOs may also serve as division officers, department heads, and OICs.
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