I was planning on joining the Navy, and still am. I just have some questions that I dont feel my recruiter is being upfront about (beating around the bush). I decided I want my bachelors degree before going into the Navy, but while I was looking on the main navy website under the officer careers, it doesnt show the job I want to go in with. I was setting the bar for going in as an IT...but it says it doesnt allow officers to become an IT. Looking at all the officer career fields, none of them interest me. Computers are one of the very few things that interest me, and it took me years to realize I want to succeed in that field as my career with or without the navy.
Ok, so, my questions are: If I get my bachelors in IT and then join the navy, will I get that field? Also, if I go through the NROTC program, can I get my degree in IT? Or, if I just enlist, get my bachelors/masters in IT while serving, can I bump up to officer status and work as an IT?
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In short, most IPs I know are like the equivalents of CIOs of fortune 500 businesses. Most of the people who responded to your question are off a bit. The IP is a new community in the Navy designed to make officers more smart about leading technology and running Navy Information Systems. So it is about working with computers on a much higher level. Not your Microsoft MCSE, devry institute kind of job....It is a White Collar job.
Ok, Old Salt. You gave us a good description of the old Unrestricted Line Officer, the backbone of the Navy whose career goal is to retire as an Admiral commanding a fleet.
Now welcome to the 21st century, and the era of the Navy Information Warfare Officer.
Hi John.
I'm familiar with IWO's.
They are not IT guys; they are the O-gang equivalent of CT's and IS's.
An IT degree, bachelor or masters, would not likely lead to an IWO commission.
Which brings me to my next question; Do you get paid more or the same between having a bachelors or masters in IT?
Your pay will not directly have anything to do with your academic degree, but will be based on your Navy paygrade ("rank").
Having said that, Navy advancement is based on competitive examinations and performance evaluation marks, so a person with a Masters degree would perhaps advance quicker (and thus earn more).
Ah, ok. thanks for specifying a little more for me. Like Ive stated before, nothing really interests me besides the IT field. With that said, would me enlisting as IT and staying in the service until I decide to "retire" be the best choice?
If thats the case, I might just get my degree while in the service. Which brings me to my next question; Do you get paid more or the same between having a bachelors or masters in IT?
Enlisted people work "in the trades" like IT, Cryptology, etc.
Officers are "managers", and while they might be the Division Officer for the IT crew, they don't "do IT work".
A new officer with a degree in IT wouldn't necessarily be assigned duties in managing IT's, and if they did, it would only be for a limited time, as officers are expected to gain a broad range of operational experience ultimately leading to command of warships.
An enlisted person who went to Navy IT school would work in IT for the duration of their career, but if they "bumped up" to officer (a very difficult accomplishment) their duties wouldn't likely remain in IT.
(By the way, I am a retired Master Chief IT, so have some background in the career path.)
An IT is an enlisted rating, not an officer field.
If you get your degree in IT, you would obviously be a very good fit for the IT rating but a vacancy would need to exist at the time you apply to enlist.
Replies
The navy calls what you want to be an IP - Information Professional (1600 designator ). An Officer designator
This site has more info: http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/Intelligence_Information/IPO/
In short, most IPs I know are like the equivalents of CIOs of fortune 500 businesses. Most of the people who responded to your question are off a bit. The IP is a new community in the Navy designed to make officers more smart about leading technology and running Navy Information Systems. So it is about working with computers on a much higher level. Not your Microsoft MCSE, devry institute kind of job....It is a White Collar job.
V/r
Commander Vince Garcia
USN
Hi John.
I'm familiar with IWO's.
They are not IT guys; they are the O-gang equivalent of CT's and IS's.
An IT degree, bachelor or masters, would not likely lead to an IWO commission.
Your pay will not directly have anything to do with your academic degree, but will be based on your Navy paygrade ("rank").
Having said that, Navy advancement is based on competitive examinations and performance evaluation marks, so a person with a Masters degree would perhaps advance quicker (and thus earn more).
If thats the case, I might just get my degree while in the service. Which brings me to my next question; Do you get paid more or the same between having a bachelors or masters in IT?
Officers are "managers", and while they might be the Division Officer for the IT crew, they don't "do IT work".
A new officer with a degree in IT wouldn't necessarily be assigned duties in managing IT's, and if they did, it would only be for a limited time, as officers are expected to gain a broad range of operational experience ultimately leading to command of warships.
An enlisted person who went to Navy IT school would work in IT for the duration of their career, but if they "bumped up" to officer (a very difficult accomplishment) their duties wouldn't likely remain in IT.
(By the way, I am a retired Master Chief IT, so have some background in the career path.)
You say I can't be an IT as an officer, but If i get my bachelors in IT, I can work in the IT field as an officer...?
If you get your degree in IT, you would obviously be a very good fit for the IT rating but a vacancy would need to exist at the time you apply to enlist.