List of Naval Officer Designators
Encyclopedia
In the United States Navy
officers are assigned to one of four communities, based on their education, training and assignments: Line Officer
, Staff Officer, Limited Duty Officer
, or Warrant Officer
. Each community is further subdivided by primary occupation. Each occupation is identified by a four digit numerical code, called a designator.
The first digit identifies the officer's community.
The final (fourth) digit denotes the officer's commission.
Up until Fiscal Year 2005, all officers entering the U.S. Navy were awarded a Reserve commission (commissioned as Ensign, USNR). Legislation was signed that all Reserve Officers on Active Duty, designated by a "5" in the last digit of the designator, would be converted over to a Regular Navy commission by close of Fiscal Year 2006.
Today, there is no distinction between USN and USNR Officers, no matter what the commissioning source. All hold the same ranks, have the same responsibilities and authority, and enjoy the same privileges. As part of the U.S. Navy's Active Reserve Integration (ARI) inititiave that "operationalized" the Navy's Reserve Component, the term "U.S. Naval Reserve" was superseded by "U.S. Navy Reserve" and the term USNR was discontinued as a matter of Total Force policy in 2005. All officers in the U.S. Navy now use the term USN with their rank titles.
RL Officer - in training for Engineering Duty Officer
(EDO) (converts to 144x upon completion of qualification requirements).
172x
RL Officer - in training for Foreign Area Officer
(FAO) (converts to 171x upon completion of qualification requirements).
A Supply Corps Officer in initial training
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officers are assigned to one of four communities, based on their education, training and assignments: Line Officer
Line officer
In the United States armed forces, the term line officer or officer of the line refers to an officer who is trained for command — that is, to be the commanding officer of a warship, ground combat unit, combat aviation unit, or combat support unit....
, Staff Officer, Limited Duty Officer
Limited Duty Officer
A Limited Duty Officer is an officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps who was selected for commissioning based on his/her skill and expertise, and is not required to have a bachelor's degree. They are employed in situations where it is desirable to have an officer with...
, or Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
. Each community is further subdivided by primary occupation. Each occupation is identified by a four digit numerical code, called a designator.
The first digit identifies the officer's community.
| First Digit | | Community | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Line Line officer In the United States armed forces, the term line officer or officer of the line refers to an officer who is trained for command — that is, to be the commanding officer of a warship, ground combat unit, combat aviation unit, or combat support unit.... (Unrestricted and Restricted) |
|
| 2 | Staff | Medical & JAG |
| 3 | Supply Corps Navy Supply Corps (United States) The Supply Corps of the United States Navy traces its beginnings to February 23, 1795 when the nation's first Purveyor of Public Supplies, Tench Francis, Jr., was appointed by President George Washington. The Supply Corps is one of the oldest staff corps in the U.S. Navy. Supply Corps officers are... |
|
| 4 | Chaplain Corps United States Navy Chaplain Corps The Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy consists of ordained clergy who are commissioned naval officers. Their principal purpose is to "promote the spiritual, religious, moral, and personal well-being of the members of the Department of the Navy," which includes the Navy and the United States... |
|
| 5 | Civil Engineer Corps Civil Engineer Corps The Civil Engineer Corps is a staff corps of the United States Navy. CEC officers are professional engineers and architects, acquisitions specialists and Seabee Combat Warfare Officers. They are responsible for executing and managing the planning, design, acquisition, construction, operation, and... |
|
| 6 | Limited Duty Limited Duty Officer A Limited Duty Officer is an officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps who was selected for commissioning based on his/her skill and expertise, and is not required to have a bachelor's degree. They are employed in situations where it is desirable to have an officer with... |
|
| 7 | Warrant | |
The final (fourth) digit denotes the officer's commission.
| Fourth Digit | Commission |
|---|---|
| 0 | An officer of the Regular Navy whose permanent grade is Ensign or above |
| 1 | An officer of the Regular Navy whose permanent status is Warrant Officer |
| 2 | A temporary officer of the Regular Navy whose permanent status is enlisted |
| 3 | An Officer of the Regular Navy who is on the retired list |
| 4 | No longer used |
| 5 | An officer of the Naval Reserve United States Navy Reserve The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy... (exceptions: Note 4th digit 7 and 8) |
| 7 | An officer of the Naval Reserve on active duty in the FTS Program (Full Time Support) [Includes officers of the FTS Program rotated to other than FTS billets] |
| 8 | An officer of the Naval Reserve who was appointed in the Naval Reserve Integration Program from enlisted status or whose permanent status is Warrant Officer or enlisted |
| 9 | An officer of the Naval Reserve who is on the retired list |
Up until Fiscal Year 2005, all officers entering the U.S. Navy were awarded a Reserve commission (commissioned as Ensign, USNR). Legislation was signed that all Reserve Officers on Active Duty, designated by a "5" in the last digit of the designator, would be converted over to a Regular Navy commission by close of Fiscal Year 2006.
Today, there is no distinction between USN and USNR Officers, no matter what the commissioning source. All hold the same ranks, have the same responsibilities and authority, and enjoy the same privileges. As part of the U.S. Navy's Active Reserve Integration (ARI) inititiave that "operationalized" the Navy's Reserve Component, the term "U.S. Naval Reserve" was superseded by "U.S. Navy Reserve" and the term USNR was discontinued as a matter of Total Force policy in 2005. All officers in the U.S. Navy now use the term USN with their rank titles.
Fully Qualified Unrestricted Line (URL) Officers
| 111x | URL Officer qualified in Surface Warfare Surface warfare Modern naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and submarine warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inherent to that area.... . |
| 112x | URL Officer qualified in Submarine Warfare Submarine warfare Naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and underwater warfare. The latter may be subdivided into submarine warfare and anti-submarine warfare as well as mine warfare and mine countermeasures... . |
| 113x | URL Officer qualified in Special Warfare United States Navy SEALs The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their... . |
| 114x | Special Operations officer by virtue of training in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Diving/Salvage, and EOM functional areas. |
| 130x | Previously qualified Naval Aviator Naval Aviator A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981... or Naval Flight Officer Naval Flight Officer A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft... whose operational flight rating has been terminated for medical or performance reasons, or by the individual's personal resignation. |
| 131x | URL Officer qualified for duty involving piloting heavier-than-air, or heavier and lighter-than air types of aircraft as a Naval Aviator Naval Aviator A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981... . |
| 132x | URL Officer qualified for duty involving heavier-than-air, or heavier and lighter-than-air type aircraft as a Naval Flight Officer Naval Flight Officer A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft... . |
Non-Qualified Unrestricted Line (URL) Officers
110x General URL Officer without any warfare qualification (designator being phased out and superseded by Restricted Line incumbents).Training Designators For Unrestricted Line Officers
| 116x | URL Officer in training for Surface Warfare qualification. |
| 117x | URL Officer in training for Submarine Warfare qualification. |
| 118x | URL Officer in training for Special Warfare qualification. |
| 119x | URL Officer in training for Special Operations qualification. |
| 137x | URL Officer in training for duty involving flying as a Naval Flight Officer. |
| 139x | URL Officer in training for duty involving flying as a Naval Aviator (pilot). |
Restricted Line (RL) Officer Designators
| 120x | RL Officer - Human Resources. | ||
| 121x | RL Officer - Nuclear Propulsion Training (Nuclear Power School Instructor). | ||
| 122x | RL Officer - Nuclear Engineering (Naval Reactors Engineer). | ||
| 123x | >- | 144x | RL Officer - Engineering Duty Officer Engineering Duty Officer An Engineering Duty Officer is a Restricted Line Officer in the United States Navy, involved with the design, acquisition, construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, overhaul, or disposal of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and the systems on those platforms... (EDO). |
| 150x | RL Officer - Aerospace Engineering Duty, Engineering or Maintenance (O-6 and above). | ||
| 151x | RL Officer - Aerospace Engineering Duty, Engineering (AEDO). | ||
| 152x | RL Officer - Aerospace Engineering Duty, Maintenance (AMDO and AMO). | ||
| 154x | RL Officer - Aviation Duty | ||
| 171x | RL Officer - Foreign Area Officer Foreign area officer A Foreign Area Officer is a commissioned officer from any of the four branches of the United States Armed Forces who is a regionally focused expert in political-military operations. Such officers possess a unique combination of strategic focus and regional expertise, with political, cultural,... (FAO). |
||
| 180x | RL Officer - Meteorology/Oceanography. | ||
| 181x | RL Officer - Information Warfare (formerly 161x and 164x (Cryptology), redesignated effective October 2010 under Information Dominance Corps). | ||
| 182x | RL Officer - Information Professional (formerly 160x, redesignated effective October 2010 under Information Dominance Corps). | ||
| 183x | RL Officer - Intelligence (formerly 163x, redesignated effective October 2010 under Information Dominance Corps). | ||
| 184x | RL Officer - Cyber Warfare Engineer. | ||
Training Designators For Restricted Line Officers
146xRL Officer - in training for Engineering Duty Officer
Engineering Duty Officer
An Engineering Duty Officer is a Restricted Line Officer in the United States Navy, involved with the design, acquisition, construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, overhaul, or disposal of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and the systems on those platforms...
(EDO) (converts to 144x upon completion of qualification requirements).
172x
RL Officer - in training for Foreign Area Officer
Foreign area officer
A Foreign Area Officer is a commissioned officer from any of the four branches of the United States Armed Forces who is a regionally focused expert in political-military operations. Such officers possess a unique combination of strategic focus and regional expertise, with political, cultural,...
(FAO) (converts to 171x upon completion of qualification requirements).
Special Duty (SD) Officers
| 166x | SD Officer - Strategic Sealift Officer (formerly 162x, 166x, 167x, and 169x (Merchant Marine)) |
| 165x | SD Officer - Public Affairs |
| 170x | SD Officer - Fleet Support |
(2xxx) Staff Corps Designators
| 210x | A Medical Corps Officer |
| 220x | A Dental Corps Navy Dental Corps The Dental Corps of the United States Navy consists of naval officers who have a Doctorate in either Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine and who practice dentistry caring for sailors and marines. In overseas locations they also treat dependent family members... Officer |
| 230x | A Medical Service Corps Navy Medical Service Corps The Medical Service Corps is a staff corps of the United States Navy, consisting of officers engaged in medical support duties. It includes healthcare scientists and researchers, comprising around 60% of its personnel, and healthcare administrators, comprising the remaining 40%... Officer |
| 250x | A Judge Advocate General's Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Navy. Today, the corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 730 Judge Advocates, 30 limited duty officers , 500 enlisted members and nearly 275 civilian personnel, serving... Corps Officer |
| 270x | A Senior Health Care Executive Officer (O-7 through O-9) |
| 290x | A Nurse Corps United States Navy Nurse Corps The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:... Officer |
| 310x | A Supply Corps Navy Supply Corps (United States) The Supply Corps of the United States Navy traces its beginnings to February 23, 1795 when the nation's first Purveyor of Public Supplies, Tench Francis, Jr., was appointed by President George Washington. The Supply Corps is one of the oldest staff corps in the U.S. Navy. Supply Corps officers are... Officer |
| 410x | A Chaplain Corps United States Navy Chaplain Corps The Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy consists of ordained clergy who are commissioned naval officers. Their principal purpose is to "promote the spiritual, religious, moral, and personal well-being of the members of the Department of the Navy," which includes the Navy and the United States... Officer |
| 510x | A Civil Engineer Corps Civil Engineer Corps The Civil Engineer Corps is a staff corps of the United States Navy. CEC officers are professional engineers and architects, acquisitions specialists and Seabee Combat Warfare Officers. They are responsible for executing and managing the planning, design, acquisition, construction, operation, and... (i.e., Seabee Seabee Seabees are members of the United States Navy construction battalions. The word Seabee is a proper noun that comes from the initials of Construction Battalion, of the United States Navy... ) Officer |
Training Designators For Staff Corps Officers
316xA Supply Corps Officer in initial training
(6xxx) Limited Duty Officers
| 60xx/61xx | Limited Duty Officer - Line (Surface) |
| 62xx | Limited Duty Officer - Line (Submarine) |
| 63xx | Limited Duty Officer - Line (Aviation) |
| 64xx | Limited Duty Officer - Line (General) |
| 65xx | Limited Duty Officer - Staff Corps |
(7xxx) Warrant Officers
| 71xx | Chief Warrant Officer - Line (Surface) |
| 72xx | Chief Warrant Officer - Line (Submarine) |
| 73xx | Chief Warrant Officer - Line (Aviation) |
| 74xx | Chief Warrant Officer - Line (General) |
| 75xx | Chief Warrant Officer - (Staff Corps) |
| 756x | Warrant Officer - Staff Corps |
See also
- United States Navy officer rank insigniaUnited States Navy officer rank insigniaIn the United States Navy, officers have various ranks. Equivalency between services is by pay grade.-Rank categories:In the U.S. Navy, pay grades for officers are:...
- List of United States Navy staff corps
- Uniforms of the United States NavyUniforms of the United States NavyThis article examines dress uniforms, daily service uniforms, working uniforms, special situations, and the history of uniforms of the United States Navy...
- Badges of the United States NavyBadges of the United States NavyInsignia and badges of the United States Navy are military "badges" issued by the United States Department of the Navy to naval service members who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Navy...
- U.S. Navy Midshipman rank insignia can be found in the Midshipman article.
- U.S. Navy Warrant officer rank insignia can be found in the Warrant Officer (United States)Warrant Officer (United States)In the United States military, the rank of warrant officer is rated as an officer above the senior-most enlisted ranks, as well as officer cadets and candidates, but below the officer grade of O-1...
article. - List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
- United States Navy enlisted rate insigniaUnited States Navy enlisted rate insigniaA United States Navy enlisted rate indicates where an enlisted sailor stands within the chain of command, and also defines one's pay grade. An enlisted sailor's rate is similar conceptually to a naval officer's rank. The word rate refers to an enlisted sailor's pay grade, while the word rating...
- List of United States Navy ratings
- Navy Enlisted ClassificationNavy Enlisted ClassificationThe Navy Enlisted Classification system supplements the rating designators for enlisted members of the United States Navy. A naval rating and NEC designator are similar to the Military Occupational Specialty designators used in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps and the Air Force Specialty Code ...