NROTC Career Paths

Atticus

5-Year Member
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Sep 29, 2010
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My Scholarship Coordinator has told me that if I recieve the scholarship and I am commisioned as an officer, I will be able to pursue a career as a Navy Diver or Aviation Rescue Swimmer, as these are only for the enlisted.

Is this true?

I looked online(http://www.navy.com/navy/joining/education-opportunities/nrotc/), and it says I could pursue a career in one of the following areas. So I clicked on Special Warfare Officer and it sent me here(http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/special-operations.html), listing the Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians, Navy Divers and Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs).

So I am quite confused on this matter.
 
If you attend NROTC, you will be considered for unrestricted line positions. Basically that means you will get assigned to a service community of Surface, Submarine, Aviation, or SEALS. You are talking about SEALS...you go through BUDS and you can get qualified that way but it is extremely competitive for officers. It is more common for folks who want to be divers to enlist (with a rating like engineering) and go through BUDS then apply for an officer program. But it is possible to go into SEALS after you commission thru NROTC or USNA. I have a friend whose son is a MID 1/C who just got SEALS. You may want to check out this link: http://www.bupers.navy.mil/Officer/CommunityManagers/NECCOCM/EOD+Career+Path.htm.
 
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My NROTC coordinator told me that only ONE person a year is selected from NROTC to attend BUDS. Is this true? That seems really low and is quite discouraging.
 
My NROTC coordinator told me that only ONE person a year is selected from NROTC to attend BUDS. Is this true? That seems really low and is quite discouraging.

I talked to a senior midshipman who was #14 on the list of 12 of NROTC Midshipman who were selected to attend BUD/s- since he didn't get his #1 choice, he got his #2 which was EOD.

That number fluctuates from year to year however it's the general consensus that If you want to head down the SEAL path AND you want to be an officer, you're best chance of making BUD/s is from the Naval Academy...
 
My Scholarship Coordinator has told me that if I recieve the scholarship and I am commisioned as an officer, I will be able to pursue a career as a Navy Diver or Aviation Rescue Swimmer, as these are only for the enlisted.

Is this true?

I looked online(http://www.navy.com/navy/joining/education-opportunities/nrotc/), and it says I could pursue a career in one of the following areas. So I clicked on Special Warfare Officer and it sent me here(http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/special-operations.html), listing the Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians, Navy Divers and Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs).

So I am quite confused on this matter.

Go to sealswcc.com for the updated info for Special Warfare Officers and the different routes to get there. The navy.com sites are referring to enlisted in what you just quoted. Go to that website or call 888-usn-seal if you want to know the actual numbers for NROTC BUD/S spots. (it's not 1) You don't want to go to BUD/S if you want to be a rescue swimmer.

Good luck
 
Thanks jdalv2. USNA then to BUDS is plan A. I have B, C, and D also. I'll see what happens and keep moving through the process.
 
Thanks jdalv2. USNA then to BUDS is plan A. I have B, C, and D also. I'll see what happens and keep moving through the process.

Nice. When I visited the Naval Academy and sat in on an admissions session, they told us that the attrition rate in BUD/s for Academy graduates is only 15% (compared to the 85% for everyone else). The admissions officer said that as a prospective SEAL at the USNA you will essentially be trained in a pre-BUD/s program throughout your 4 years so by the time you actually head to BUD/s, you are prepared for everything- and thus have a very good chance of successfully completing it.
 
Just to clarify for the OP:

There are no officer positions for Aviation Rescue Swimmers. They are all enlisted.

Navy Divers are also enlisted. The way to dive as an officer is either as a SEAL or EOD. (Or Dive Medical Officer if you go to medical school)
 
Just to clarify for the OP:

There are no officer positions for Aviation Rescue Swimmers. They are all enlisted.

Navy Divers are also enlisted. The way to dive as an officer is either as a SEAL or EOD. (Or Dive Medical Officer if you go to medical school)

That's a shame.
 
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