Ship and Submarine Officers

Background

Ships and submarines are organized by department, such as engineering, communications, weapons, and supply. Ship and submarine officers work as team members to manage the various departments aboard their vessels.

What They Do

Ship and submarine officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Command vessels of all sizes at sea or in coastal waters
• Direct search and rescue missions
• Evaluate subordinate personnel and recommend awards and promotions
• Plan and manage the operating departments, under the captain's direction
• Plan and manage training exercises, such as target practice, aircraft operations, damage control drills, and searches for enemy submarines

Physical Demands

Good vision and normal color vision are required for reading color-coded charts and maps.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career. 

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to organize and direct the work of others
• Interest in sailing and being at sea

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

Helpful fields of study include:

• Computer science
• Engineering
• Math
• Oceanography

Work Environment

Ship and submarine officers work aboard their vessels. Engineering officers are subjected to hot, humid, and noisy environments. Submarine officers work in confined spaces for extended periods.

Services offering this career:

• Army
• Coast Guard
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for officers.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of classroom instruction and practical experience in one of the following departments: air, weapons, operations, communications, engineering, deck, administration, or supply. Training length varies depending on specialty. 

Course content typically includes:

• Interpretation of maritime laws and policies
• Management and organization of ship or submarine operations
• Piloting and navigation of ships

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian ship officers work for private maritime passenger, freight, and tanker firms. With the exception of duties that are combat related, their duties are similar to those performed by military ship officers. They may also be called ship captains, ship mates, or deck officers.

Related Civilian Careers

• Ship Captains and Mates
• Ship Pilots

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 6,000 ship and submarine officers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new officers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, officers are assigned to management positions in one of the ship's departments. With experience and demonstrated ability to lead, they assume greater responsibility. Depending on their specialty, ship and submarine officers gain experience in more than one department. Also, they are regularly reassigned to different ships or submarines where they meet and work with new people. Between sea tours, they work and attend training at shore bases. Eventually, ship and submarine officers may be selected to command a vessel.