The age requirements vary according to specific positions; for example, some officer positions may require that you be older than 19 to apply.

To be an Enlisted member of the Navy, you don’t need a college degree. You must be qualified mentally, morally, and medically. You will be given a chance to take a practice test called the EST (Enlisted Screening Test) to test your mental ability. Next you will undergo a medical exam to determine that you are physically eligible. Both of these examinations will be used to determine what specialized fields you are qualified to work in. Such areas include aviation, nuclear, electronics, medicine or other general area of work in the Navy. Most of enlisted Navy jobs are very demanding and they generally have lower salaries than officers. Enlisted members have to go through 8 weeks of boot camp (8 weeks versus 13 weeks for OCS). To be an officer, you typically must be in college and enrolled in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program (NROTC), the Naval Academy (USNA) or have a college degree in a Navy approved area (i. e. engineering, science, math, etc. ). You must also get accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS), in addition to taking qualifying tests. Officers get saluted, get paid more, and have more benefits, including officer club privileges, officer’s mess on carrier ships, better housing, and other such benefits.

If you’re not yet sure whether you want to join the Navy, you can still contact a recruiter, no strings attached, to ask questions. When you speak with a recruiter, be sure to ask about the commitment that will be required for the type of service you want to do. Discuss the specific requirements of your field of interest, including the education you’ll need. The recruiter will provide you with an application, or direct you to one that can be found online. When you submit your application, you’ll continue working with a recruiter to set up a plan for enlisting.

Recruits who wish to become officers who serve in managerial positions in the Navy, will need to undergo more training than recruits who will serve as enlisted sailors, the workforce of the Navy. The Navy often pays for undergraduate and graduate education to help members pursue jobs and careers. [9] X Research source