Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • Innovation for Sea Power
    • Marine Corps
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • American Sea Power Project
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
USNA Commissioning
U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen toss their caps after being commissioned.
Naval Institute Photo Archive

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • Innovation for Sea Power
    • Marine Corps
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • American Sea Power Project
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

Asked & Answered

Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard primary officer commissioning programs have not changed much in more than 70 years. What one big change would you recommend for the future, and why?
June 2021
Proceedings
Vol. 147/6/1,420
Asked & Answered
View Issue
Comments

Captain Don Walsh, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Create a sabbatical program giving midshipmen or junior officers a six-to-eight-month seagoing experience with other services or the U.S. Merchant Marine. For officers, two opportunities should be available—once as a junior officer and later as a more senior officer. By its diversity, the program would enhance career officers’ understanding of sea power.

Lieutenant Kyle Cregge, U.S. Navy

Double the obligated service requirement for Naval Academy graduates from five to ten years. Serving a full decade following commissioning would further reimburse taxpayers for the value of the education and tie those officers to the service to help with broader retention issues.

Major General William D. R. Waff, U.S. Army (Retired)

Considering the few commissioning sources available to the Coast Guard when compared with the other services, assign a Coast Guard junior officer to the Navy ROTC detachment at the six senior military colleges (The Citadel, Virginia Tech, VMI, Texas A&M, North Georgia, and Norwich) to expand the exposure to midshipmen of the potential to be commissioned as a Coast Guard officer.

Commander Gerry K. Hannon, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)

Only U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen train on yard patrol craft, but this was once also done at Officer Candidate School (OCS) with the Academy’s older and surplus yard patrol craft. That invaluable early introduction to shipboard watchstanding and integration, a practical foundation for learning good shiphandling, should be returned to OCS.

Lieutenant Commander Brian Hayes, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)

Restrict the Navy Reserve’s direct commission program to Staff Corps specialties. Currently, a civilian can obtain a commission as a restricted line officer without attending Officer Candidate School or any other type of in-person training or education. The process is too easy, which is why it attracts so many aspiring politicians.

Commander Ed Griffith, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is wisdom that applies to more than just naval uniforms. Having three primary commissioning programs has served the Navy well. The Naval Academy, ROTC, and OCS produce officers with different points of view. OCS can expand or contract depending on changing needs. This is not a problem. As with uniforms, the cure would likely be worse than any imagined problem.

Midshipman Wesley Brewer, Maine Maritime Academy

Hands-on training is the biggest need for new officers. The Navy’s new student indoctrination is a good beginning to improve this, but more is needed to allow midshipmen to practice leadership and learn from their mistakes before they hit the fleet. Practical experience is critical to learn and grow.

July question

Colonel William J. Glasser, Judge Advocate, U.S. Army (Retired), U.S. Navy Veteran

Require at least two years honorable active-duty enlisted service to exhibit attitude and aptitude before entering commissioning programs. Great leaders must first be good followers and those who cannot hack it must be screened out before costly investments of time and money.

Blaine Worthington, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Include project management training in all commissioning programs. Every officer will be tasked with managing projects of all sizes from their first day in the fleet. A standard framework (such as project management program certification) would be useful for new officers.

Commander David L. Rupp, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)

Emphasize more education and training in shiphandling and antisubmarine warfare. There are many demands on students, but we cannot afford to get behind or even stay even with our enemies.

Related Articles

Carrier Pigeon
P Asked & Answered

Asked & Answered

May 2021
What is the most underappreciated rating or military occupational specialty in your service, or which one that no longer exists should be brought back?
P-3 Brunswick
P Asked & Answered

Asked & Answered

April 2021
Our readers answer, if you could reopen one former Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard base, which one would it be and why?
Falklands war
P Asked & Answered

Asked & Answered

March 2021
Our readers answer, "What historical foreign sea battle is most relevant to 21st century naval warfare?"

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Advertise With Us
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2025 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies
×

You've read 1 out of 5 free articles of Proceedings this month.

Non-members can read five free Proceedings articles per month. Join now and never hit a limit.