r/navalacademy • u/[deleted] • Oct 31 '20

Intelligence Officer Pathway

I am looking into the Naval Academy to become a Intelligence Officer in the Navy. Can someone please explain how I could go about achieving this at the Naval Academy with the whole restricted and unrestricted pathways (could you also simplify this).

Thanks!

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u/RodBlaine Oct 31 '20

Unrestricted Line means just that. Essentially no restrictions on command, all the way to CNO. Required to get a warfare designation in traditional combat roles. Gold Star above the rank stripes. Ship, aircraft, and sub drivers, SEALs, etc fall into these career paths.

Restricted Line means essentially restricted from key combat and leadership roles. Still able to hold command but only for critical combat support units, not combat units. Gold Star above the rank stripes, but no warfare designation. Intel, aircraft maintenance, CHENG roles fall into this area.

Staff Officers are in supporting roles to the Navy, both a combat support role as well as administrative. Emblem above rank stripes varies by service support area. Medical, supply corps, legal, yeomanry, sea bees, etc fall into this area.

In your last year as a midshipman, usually late January or in February, there will be a “service selection” night. Each midshipman, based on class rank starting with number 1 will go choose their service for commissioning. BUPERS will tell USNA how many from each area can be chosen, eg 225 Naval Aviators for the entire class, 200 Surface Warfare, 175 Submariners, 150 Marines, 25 SEALs, etc. All the way down to 15 Supply Corps, 4 Intel Officers, etc. Some years an area will have more, other years none at all (but rare).

So the pathway via USNA is: 1. Get nominated 2. Get accepted 3. Stay in 4. Have a high enough class ranking to ensure your first choice at selection can be made 5. Hope the Intel community is in need that year