Naval Officer Careers

I am interested in a commission through NROTC or Annapolis. If I don't go the nursing route, then I plan majoring in history, political science or another liberal arts degree. My question is since many careers in the Navy are technology, what careers are open to me with that major? I have been told that only 5% present of Tier 3 NROTC scholarship applications are awarded.

85% are for technical majors and 15% are for Tier 3.

equestriangrl93 said:

If I don't go the nursing route, then I plan majoring in history, political science or another liberal arts degree. My question is since many careers in the Navy are technology, what careers are open to me with that major?

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Pretty much any and all naval careers would be available. There are only very, very few areas that require certain majors. (Actually they aren't even careers just certain things within careers, for example Test Pilot school)

kp2001 said:

Pretty much any and all naval careers would be available. There are only very, very few areas that require certain majors. (Actually they aren't even careers just certain things within careers, for example Test Pilot school)

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Then why does the Navy give 85% of its scholarships to tech majors?

equestriangrl93 said:

Then why does the Navy give 85% of its scholarships to tech majors?

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Actually I should first give a caveat to my first post that I was talking about unrestricted line careers (SWO, Aviation, Sub's) as there may be a restricted line or staff corps position that wouldn't be open to someone without a particular degree.

As to why the emphasis on tech majors. I don't have the "official" line on that, but if I was guessing I would say because they want the best and the brightest who have shown continued success through difficult coursework. Also technical degrees can bring expertise to certain situations that a humanities major wouldn't necessarily have.

The Navy values diversity though, so it is always good to have some different backgrounds around. One of my good friends in a squadron I was assigned to was a Theater major. You don't see many of those in the Navy and he brought a different perspective to the wardroom which was a nice balance.

Also a military without people who study history would be a horrible idea, so hopefully we are keeping some history majors around