The Naval Reserve Direct Appointment Program offers qualified college educated professionals a Naval Reserve commission. Candidates chosen to become officers are given the opportunity to achieve personal and professional satisfaction in their specialized fields by serving in the Naval Reserve. The Navy and Naval Reserve rely heavily upon their officers at every level of operations and management. These men and women provide the professional, scientific and technical skills required by the wide variety of occupations found at sea and ashore.
Officers routinely supervise highly skilled staffs and are responsible for sophisticated equipment.
Top of Document Direct Appointment Into the Naval Reserve Men and women who are college graduates and possess the specialty qualifications sought by the Naval Reserve can be directly appointed as Naval Reserve officers for the purpose of performing that specialty with minimal training. Most direct appointment Naval Reserve officers attend a two-week indoctrination course at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., to learn about the Navy and the Naval Reserve. Monthly weekend duty is performed at a naval activity near home, while the two weeks of AT are usually served at a naval base, air station, Navy or Naval Reserve ship, or in some cases overseas. The following pages provide details on the duties and minimum qualifications of officer specialties within the Naval Reserve Direct Appointment Program. All Naval Reserve officers must be U.S. citizens.