Officer Candidate School is designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor's degree and want to become Commissioned Officers in the U.S. Navy. 

OCS candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds, including: 

• Recent college graduates  
• Working professionals looking to transition into military service  
• Prior Enlisted Sailors seeking a commission  
• Individuals pursuing careers in fields such as aviation, engineering, intelligence, surface warfare, submarines, information warfare and more  

Regardless of their background, all candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for their selected Officer community and demonstrate the leadership potential, character and commitment required to serve as Navy Officers. 

To attend Navy Officer Candidate School, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for both the Navy and the Officer community they are applying to. While requirements vary by career field, most applicants must: 

• Be a U.S. citizen (some Officer communities require U.S. citizenship).  
• Be at least 19 years old and meet the age requirements for their selected Officer program.  
• Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university before commissioning.  
• Meet Navy medical standards and pass a comprehensive medical examination.  
• Meet Navy physical fitness standards before reporting to OCS.  
• Successfully complete the Officer application process, including interviews and selection by an Officer community selection board.  
• Demonstrate strong moral character and be eligible to obtain any required security clearance.  

Some Officer communities may also require additional qualifications, such as specific college coursework, professional certifications, work experience or qualifying scores on Officer aptitude exams. 

All three programs lead to a commission as a Navy Officer, but they are designed for different stages of a person's educational journey. 

Officer Candidate School (OCS) is intended for qualified college graduates and working professionals who have already earned a bachelor's degree. OCS is a 13-week leadership training program that prepares candidates to become Commissioned Officers after completing their degree. 

The U.S. Naval Academy is a four-year undergraduate institution that combines a bachelor's degree with military education, leadership development and Officer training. Graduates earn a commission upon graduation. 

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) allows students to attend a participating college or university while completing military training alongside their academic coursework. After earning their degree, graduates commission as Navy Officers. 

Each commissioning path prepares future Officers to lead Sailors and serve in the fleet. The right option depends on your education, career goals and where you are in your academic or professional journey. 

Although both programs prepare individuals for commissioned service, they serve different audiences. 

Officer Candidate School (OCS) is designed for qualified civilians, college graduates and prior-service applicants who want to earn a commission as a Navy Officer. OCS is a 13-week leadership training program that develops military knowledge, leadership skills, physical readiness and Officer fundamentals. 

Officer Development School (ODS) is designed for professionals who have already earned advanced degrees or professional credentials in fields such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, law, chaplaincy and engineering. These Officers are already commissioned before attending ODS, which focuses on introducing them to Navy culture, customs, leadership and military operations. 

Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) is conducted at Officer Training Command Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. This command serves as the Navy's primary Officer accession training center, where qualified college graduates and prior-service applicants complete the 13-week Officer Candidate School program before earning a commission as a Navy Officer.  

Following graduation, newly Commissioned Officers report to follow-on training specific to their Officer community—such as aviation, surface warfare, submarines, intelligence, engineering or other specialties—before reporting to their first duty station. 

Officer Candidates receive military pay and benefits while attending Officer Candidate School. 

For most civilian applicants, Officer Candidates are paid at the E-5 paygrade during training. Applicants who enter OCS with prior Enlisted service at E-5 or above generally retain their current Enlisted paygrade while attending OCS. In addition to base pay, eligible candidates may also receive applicable allowances and benefits based on their individual circumstances, such as housing or dependent status. Upon successful completion of OCS and commissioning, graduates begin receiving pay and allowances as Commissioned Officers.  

Military pay is based on factors such as years of service, dependency status and duty location. Your Navy Officer Recruiter can explain the pay and benefits you may be eligible to receive. 

The application process begins by speaking with a Navy Officer Recruiter, who will help determine your eligibility and identify the Officer community that best aligns with your education, experience and career goals. 

The general process includes: 

1. Meeting with a Navy Officer Recruiter.  
2. Selecting the Officer community you want to pursue.  
3. Completing your application package.  
4. Submitting required transcripts, test scores and supporting documentation.  
5. Completing your medical examination and physical qualifications.  
6. Interviewing with your Officer community, if required.  
7. Application review by an Officer Selection Board.  
8. If selected, receiving orders to attend Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.  

The exact process may vary depending on the Officer program you are applying for. 

Joining Officer Candidate School involves several steps designed to ensure candidates are prepared for the demands of commissioned service. 

After determining your eligibility with a Navy Officer Recruiter, you'll complete an application package that includes educational records, medical screening, interviews and any additional requirements for your Officer community. Qualified applicants are reviewed by a Navy Officer Selection Board. Candidates who are selected receive orders to attend Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where they begin the 13-week training program. 

Navy Officer Candidate School is a 13-week leadership development program conducted at Officer Training Command Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. 

During the program, candidates progress through four phases of training that combine: 

• Leadership development  
• Military customs and courtesies  
• Physical fitness  
• Academic instruction  
• Military drills  
• Practical leadership experience  
• Performance evaluations  

Upon successfully completing all phases of training, candidates graduate and are commissioned as Ensigns in the U.S. Navy before reporting to follow-on training for their Officer community. 

Yes. Physical fitness is an essential part of Officer Candidate School and is evaluated throughout training. 

Before arriving at OCS, candidates are expected to meet Navy physical readiness standards. During the program, candidates participate in regular physical training designed to improve endurance, strength and overall fitness while preparing them for the demands of military leadership. 

Candidates also complete official Physical Fitness Assessments (PFAs), one during the Indoctrination phase and a final assessment before graduation. Successfully meeting Navy fitness standards is required to complete the program. 

Officer Candidate School follows a highly structured schedule designed to develop disciplined, capable leaders. 

A typical day includes: 

• Physical training  
• Classroom instruction  
• Leadership exercises  
• Military drills  
• Inspections  
• Academic study  
• Professional development  
• Personal preparation for the next day's training  

Candidates rotate through leadership positions, receive continuous evaluations and assume greater responsibility as they progress through training. 

Personal electronic devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets and smart watches, are strictly controlled during Officer Candidate School. 

During the early phases of training, access to personal devices is limited so candidates can focus on adapting to the military environment, developing discipline and meeting training requirements. As candidates progress through the program and earn additional privileges, limited use of personal electronic devices may be authorized in accordance with Officer Training Command policies. 

Policies may change over time, so candidates should follow the guidance provided by Officer Training Command Newport before reporting to OCS. 

Officer Candidate School is designed to prepare candidates for the responsibilities of commissioned service through rigorous training and evaluation. If a candidate does not meet the required academic, physical, leadership or military performance standards, the Navy will evaluate the circumstances and determine the appropriate course of action. 

Depending on the situation, a candidate may: 

• Receive additional instruction or remediation  
• Repeat portions of training by joining a later OCS class ("rolling back" to another class)  
• Be held to complete specific graduation requirements  
• Be disenrolled from the program if minimum standards cannot be met  

The Navy's goal is to prepare qualified candidates to become successful Officers while maintaining the high standards required for commissioned service. Candidates are expected to demonstrate consistent leadership, professionalism, resilience and continuous improvement throughout training.