List of United States Naval Officer Designators: An Overview of Naval Officer Designations in the US

The United States Navy utilizes officer designator codes to identify specific communities, career fields, and qualifications for commissioned officers. These four-digit numbers are essential in personnel management, assignments, and professional development. Below is a comprehensive list of common US Navy officer designators, categorized by community:

1. 1100 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Surface Warfare)
2. 1110 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Surface Warfare – Active Duty)
3. 1120 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Submarine Warfare)
4. 1130 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Special Warfare – SEAL)
5. 1140 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Special Operations – EOD & Divers)
6. 1200 – Human Resources Officer
7. 1310 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Naval Aviator)
8. 1320 – Unrestricted Line Officer (Naval Flight Officer)
9. 1510 – Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO – Engineering)
10. 1520 – Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO – Maintenance)
11. 1650 – Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
12. 1710 – Foreign Area Officer
13. 1800 – Data Warfare/Information Professional
14. 1810 – Cryptologic Warfare Officer
15. 1820 – Information Professional Officer
16. 1830 – Intelligence Officer
17. 1840 – Cyber Warfare Engineer
18. 2100 – Medical Corps Officer (Physician)
19. 2200 – Dental Corps Officer (Dentist)
20. 2300 – Medical Service Corps Officer
21. 2500 – Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG)
22. 2900 – Supply Corps Officer
23. 3100 – Civil Engineer Corps Officer
24. 4100 – Chaplain Corps Officer
25. 5100 – Limited Duty Officer (Line)
26. 6130 – Chief Warrant Officer (Electronics Technician)

Each designator provides a way to quickly identify the officer’s specialization within the Navy. Choosing the right path often depends on personal interests and skills. As a designer, if I were creating an efficient flow for office spaces to benefit Navy officers, I’d utilize a tool like a planner for office layouts tailored to support collaboration and workflow—something just as meticulous as the Navy’s own approach to categorization.

Tips 1:

If you’re considering a career as a Navy officer, familiarize yourself with the variety of designators—each offers different challenges and development paths. Seek mentorship from officers in your desired field, as real-life insight often provides context not found in official documentation.

FAQ

Q: What is a Navy officer designator?

A: A Navy officer designator is a four-digit code that specifies an officer’s community and professional specialty.

Q: Are designators permanent throughout a career?

A: While often stable, officers may change designators if they transfer to another field or specialty, depending on qualifications and Navy needs.

Q: What is the difference between Unrestricted Line and Restricted Line designators?

A: Unrestricted Line (URL) officers are eligible to command at sea or ashore in combat roles, while Restricted Line (RL) officers have specialized roles, supporting the fleet but not in combat command positions.

Q: How are designators used for assignments?

A: The Navy uses designators to match officers with billets (positions) suited to their training and professional credentials.

Q: Can enlisted personnel become officers with designators?

A: Yes. Enlisted Sailors can commission as officers and will be given a designator appropriate for their new career field.