What Naval career fields have the best long-term prospects?

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 May 2021 12:53:00 -0400

I’ve been a reservist on the Army side, and got out as an O-3 (to IRR). I’m talking with a Navy recruiter about going active duty as an officer. I need ten years to qualify for a reserve retirement, but would like to stay longer and qualify for a full active retirement. Are there career fields that are less up-or-out at the O-5/O-6 level? I would think Surface Warfare is up or out, but what about intel or other fields that draw on subject matter expertise?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 1:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:20:59 -0400

Contracting
I know in the in the Army there are a lot of opportunities

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 2:40 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:40:13 -0400

Signal/EW/Crypto stuff

Response by CAPT Don Bosch, EdD made May 26 at 2021 5:29 PM

CAPT Don Bosch, EdD — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:29:54 -0400

A bit tough to answer that w/o knowing your education and experience. Navy divides its officer communities into Line, Restricted Line, and Staff. Line communities (Surface Warfare, Aviation, Submarines, Special Ops) are all options if you have the background, and all will have minimum service requirements. Restricted line careers like Human Resources and Intel are good if you have a strong background in HR/Personnel and Ops Analysis. Staff communities like JAG, Medical, and Supply Corps are options depending on your degree. Here's kind of a tidy summary of the different officer options to look at. If you can tell us more about your background we may be able to do more for you. vr/db
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Naval_officer_designators

List_of_United_States_Naval_officer_designators