Oceanographer/Meteorologist

Job Title: Oceanography

Category / Component: Officer • Both

Overview

Oceanography (OCEANO) Officers, also called METOC, are the Navy's geophysical experts who understand and apply all facets of meteorology, oceanography, hydrography, bathymetry, geophysics, and precise time and astrometry. Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the stars, to ensure the U.S. Navy has the freedom of action to deter aggression, maintain freedom of the seas, and win wars.

Key Responsibilities

Provide timely and relevant support to fleet and joint operations by leading the collection, processing, prediction, exploitation, and dissemination of environmental data. Ensure safety of navigation, access to denied waters, freedom to maneuver at will, and increase the lethality of Navy forces. Lead teams ranging from small 3-4 person deployable units to large commands of over 400 personnel. Serve as the one-of-one geophysical expert at an operational command.

What to Expect

Serve in a variety of challenging operational billets with increasing scope and responsibility, both at sea and ashore. The career path interweaves sea, shore, and educational tours. Sea duty may include leading small team detachments on U.S. and foreign vessels, serving as the embarked OCEANO Officer on an aircraft carrier or amphibious ship, or serving on a Strike Group or Joint Task Force staff. Shore tours include assignments at major production commands, forecast centers, headquarters, Joint commands, the Navy Data Center, and Naval Research Labs.

Work Environment

Assignments are worldwide, including Europe, Hawaii, Asia, and the Middle East. Work environments range from being at sea on surface combatants, survey vessels, aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships to being ashore at major production commands, forecast centers, headquarters, and research facilities.

Pathways, Training & Advancement

Initial training includes the 3-week Information Warfare Basic Course (IWBC) and the 7-week Basic Oceanography Accession Training (BOAT). Officers may also attend Division Officer Leadership Course (DIVOLC). Postgraduate education at the Naval Postgraduate School is required for officers at the LCDR level and senior, typically as mid-grade Lieutenants. Promotions to LTJG and LT occur at 2 and 4 years of service, with competitive promotion opportunities to LCDR, CDR, CAPT, and Flag Officer ranks.

Requires a Baccalaureate degree, preferably in a technical field, with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater. Must have completed a full college calculus series (I and II) with a minimum 'C' average, and a college-level calculus-based physics series (I and II) with a minimum 'B' average. A desired degree is in physics, physics-based oceanography, meteorology, hydrography, earth science, engineering, or mathematics.

Qualifications

All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include:

Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy as an Officer, including United States citizenship

A bachelor's or qualifying professional degree

Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy. Some communities have more restrictive age ranges

Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards

Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening

Achieving required test scores on the Officer Aptitude Rating exam

Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator

Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include:

Must be qualified for sea duty, world-wide assignable, and eligible for a Top-Secret security clearance.

Education

Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the Sailor's status, training, and current Navy policy.

Pay, Benefits & Service

Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options. Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.

Incentives

Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.

Notes and Disclaimers

This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community. It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes. Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.