ABOUT THE LIMITED DUTY OFFICER & CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER PROGRAMS
Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer are two separate programs that provide the Navy with officer technical leaders
and technical specialists who exercise leadership in key positions throughout the service. Combined, these two communities
make up more than 11 percent of the officer corps. Both programs provide the opportunity for outstanding senior enlisted
personnel to compete for a commission. Currently a college degree is not required to apply however, a more educated force and
a recognition of the professional benefits of education will certainly make a college degree required for future promotion.
Limited Duty Officers (LDOs)
As officer technical leaders of the line or staff corps, LDOs progressively advance within broad technical fields related to
their former enlisted ratings. They fill leadership and management positions at the Ensign through Captain level that require
technical background and skills not attainable through normal development within other officer designators. LDOs serve as, but
are not limited to serving as, division officers, department heads, OICs, XOs and COs.
Chief Warrant Officers (CWOs)
Today, as commissioned officers of the line or staff corps, Navy CWOs possess the authority and are qualified by extensive
experience and knowledge to direct the most difficult and exacting operations within a given occupational specialty. Although
intended primarily as technical specialists, CWOs may also serve as division officers, department heads, and OICs.
ACTIVE DUTY LDO/CWO APPLICANT INFORMATION
TSC GREAT LAKES LDO/CWO/WO1 ENLISTED TO OFFICER CONVERSION PROCESS (Upon selection, share this with your CCPA to ensure a smooth transition)
***NOTE*** NEW REVISION as of APRIL 2025: OPNAVINST 1420.2A (ACTIVE DUTY LIMITED DUTY OFFICER, CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER AND WARRANT OFFICER PROGRAMS) supersedes Chapter 7 of the previous OPNAVINST 1420.1B
Read OPNAVINST 1420.2A and the annual NAVADMIN (PENDING). Go over them carefully during your application process, making note of sections applicable to you as an individual candidate. These are your source documents for submitting an application, only language or policy promulgated by a more current NAVADMIN message for the current application cycle will override what is written in this directive. The application is your resume to the board demonstrating your potential for selection as a Naval Officer. The format is standardized as selection board members must sort through hundreds of them, and it is easier if they are all alike. Think of your package as one of many applications for the same great job -- you have to beat out the competition. You won't get extra points for excess. Do not include information that is already in your service record unless required by OPNAVINST 1420.2A or the annual NAVADMIN.
There are no "required" or "right" correspondence courses. A good blend of technical/non-technical courses will help, especially if done over a number of years and not just since you decided to apply. Consider taking enlisted rating courses of the other source ratings that are also in the normal path of advancement for the designator for which you are applying. Candidates may submit commendatory correspondence after submission of the application until 15 December of the year in which the board is scheduled to convene.
Know who your Command Coordinator is, he or she is your primary point of contact for all questions you might have. Additionally, your Command Coordinator will select the interview appraisal board members and help schedule the applicants’ board. You are not allowed to “shop” for your own appraisal board members – it will be a controlled process led by your Command Coordinator.
Finally, seek out a Mustang mentor who you can consult with. An LDO or CWO in your desired designator can assist and ensure your application is ready for submission. Listen to what they say -- they have been there. Make sure your Command Coordinator is part of any dialogue when you have discussions that pertain to your package or questions you might have about the application process.
LDO/CWO APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 1 OCTOBER 2025
Both LDO/CWO/WO1 Eligibility Checklist and LDO/CWO Interviewer’s Appraisal Sheet links located to the right-->
** NOTE: If PDF files will not open from the direct link, SAVE the PDF to your computer/desktop; then, right click on the
downloaded PDF and ‘open with’ Acrobat to view, fill out, and/or print.
INTERVIEW BOARD
The interview board helps the Commanding Officer (CO) evaluate the candidate's potential as a career officer. The CO's recommendation should be consistent with the board's comments or an explanation should be provided. OPNAVINST 1420.2A and the annual NAVADMIN are very specific in addressing the board's purpose and composition. Designator and rank of the interviewer must be entered in the lower right hand block of the NEW LDO/CWO Interviewer's Appraisal Sheet (NAVPERS 1420/6).
Interviewers need to read and follow the information outlined on the NEW LDO/CWO Interviewer's Appraisal Sheet (NAVPERS 1420/6).
The OCM encourages Appraisal Board members provide applicants with verbal feedback at the conclusion of the interview and provide the completed interview form to command sponsors for routing.
Applications from all qualified applicants shall be forwarded to CHNAVPERS (Pers-803) unless the person is specifically not recommended by their CO.
Commands shall provide applicants with a copy of their entire completed application to include all enclosures after submission.
CO's ENDORSEMENT
The CO's Recommendation is critical. It must be specific as to why an applicant is better than his/her competition -- hard to do if not true. Weak praise may hurt the candidate. If the CO does not recommend a candidate for commissioning, the application should not be forwarded by the command.
An applicant must be recommended by the CO to be eligible for consideration. If the applicant is applying for two designators, the CO's recommendation must address qualifications for both as outlined in the respective discrete requirements. If the candidate is not professionally competitive, he/she should be advised on ways to improve.
Recommendation must be personally signed by the CO, not "By direction". The CO's recommendation verifies the accuracy of the applicant's statements, as well as all enclosures.
CO's endorsement must contain the following statement. "Applicant meets all requirements outlined in OPNAVINST 1420.2A, the annual NAVADMIN, the physical fitness standards of OPNAVINST 6110.1K, and is World-Wide Assignable."
IN-SERVICE PROCUREMENT BOARD
LDOs and CWOs are selected for appointment by In-Service Procurement Selection Boards. A new board is convened each fiscal year, usually in January, for approximately three weeks. The results are normally released to the fleet via NAVADMIN message around February. Selectees are commissioned monthly, beginning 1 October of the FY selected. Details are included in the message.
In addition to senior LDOs, board membership includes officers of the line and various staff corps to allow the senior member of the board to establish internal panels with a good knowledge of the requirements of each occupational specialty. Each member of the board is sworn to select the best qualified candidates without prejudice or partiality.
In-service boards consider applicants for appointment in the designator (s) they have requested. If a candidate requests consideration in more than one designator (the maximum that can be requested is two), the board recommends the individual for appointment only in the designator for which he or she is considered best qualified.
The board recommends candidates for appointment in numbers not to exceed the quotas furnished by the Chief of Naval Personnel. However, the board is not obligated to select to the numbers provided if, in its opinion, sufficient numbers of applicants are not qualified for appointment in a particular designator.
ELIGIBILITY - GETTING STARTED
1. Read and be familiar with OPNAVINST 1420.2A. Go over it carefully before starting your application, making note of sections
applicable to you as an individual candidate.
2. Review the annual NAVADMIN message, which identifies the current year's specific requirements.
3. Coordinate with your LDO/CWO Command Coordinator and contact a designator specific mentor. Your command coordinator
can assist with connecting with a mentor.
4. Check your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) for completeness. Look for missing/misfiled evaluations, qualifications,
awards, etc. Make corrections as soon as possible.
5. First Class Petty Officers who wish to apply for LDO must have taken the CPO exam in January of the year the application is due
to NPC and be selection board eligible. The current year exam "profile sheet" must accompany the application.
NOTE: All inquiries concerning the application, including verification of its receipt, should be directed to PERS-803.
TIME IN SERVICE ELIGIBILITY
Time in Service (TIS) Eligibility is calculated as of 1 October for the year you are applying (ie...if applying for FY27, then 1 October 2026 is the year for which you are applying). TIS Waivers will only be considered in accordance with annual NAVADMIN, using the FY-27 LDO/CWO Waiver Template (Link available above).
For Active Duty TIS Waivers, submit LDO-CWO TIS Waiver Request to ldocwoocm.fct@navy.mil
Time in Service Waivers will be considered for up to (but no more than) 180 days BEYOND maximum allowed active naval service:
14 years for LDO, 20 years for CWO2, and (E9) 22 years for CWO3. (No further exceptions will be entertained)
Time in Service Waivers will NOT be considered for LESS than the minimum number of years for eligibility (7481 WO1 - 6 years) (LDO - 8 years) (CWO - 14 years).
Time in Service Waivers will NOT be considered for Nuclear Power LDO (6200) or Cyber WO1 (7841).
Time In Service eligibility computed to 1 October 2026.
8-14 yrs for LDO (non-nuclear) - includes off-ramp designators
8-16 yrs for LDO (nuclear)
14-20 yrs for CWO (E7 and E8)
14–22 yrs for CWO (E9)
6-14 yrs only for 7841 WO1 (E5 & above)
TIS WAIVER DEADLINE IS 15 JULY (Late submissions will NOT be considered.)
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Preferred method of submission of applications and addendums are outlined in the annual NAVADMIN. Encrypted emailed applications must be received no later than 1 October in the year you are applying. Routine addendums to applications, including evaluations and awards, must be received no later than 15 December in that same year. Applicants who are unable to submit applications as outlined in the annual NAVADMIN must contact MNCC for alternate delivery methods. MNCC can be contacted online at https://my.navy.mil/, by email at askmncc@navy.mil, or by phone at 1-833-330-MNCC (1-833-330-6622).
ESSBD via BOL is NOT supported or authorized to submit Applications or Addendums
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility Requirements for Active Duty LDO and CWO Programs
1. Service requirement: Active duty applicants must be serving on active duty at the time application is made, and if selected they must
remain on active duty until the appointment is tendered.
2. U.S. citizenship is required and cannot be waived.
3. Must be of good moral character and have no record of disciplinary action under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice, no courts
martial conviction or civilian felony conviction, or conviction by a civil court for misdemeanors (except minor traffic violations) in the
past 3 years as of 1 October of the year application is made. Any substantiated drug or alcohol abuse within the last 3 years as of
1 October of the year application is made will result in disqualification.
4. Must be a high school graduate or possess an equivalency certificate.
5. Must be physically qualified for appointment per the physical standards outlined in the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15.
6. Must meet physical fitness standards of satisfactory-medium or higher per OPNAVINST 6110.1K at the time of application and
appointment.
7. Personnel in LIMDU/HUMS - Active duty personnel serving in Humanitarian/ Hardship (HUMS) or Limited Duty (LIMDU) assignments will
not be permitted to accept their commission until the special situation is completely resolved. In the event an individual is assigned to
HUMS or LIMDU on the effective date of commissioning, the commanding officer will hold the appointment in abeyance and notify
PERS-803 by message or official correspondence of the circumstances. If the HUMS or LIMDU situation is not resolved within 60 days
of commissioning date, the commanding officer will request further instructions from PERS-803.
8. Service with the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and/or Coast Guard may be credited to meet the minimal service requirement when it
can be clearly documented, by the applicant, that service in another branch provided the requisite training, knowledge, and expertise
that directly relates to and parallels the needs and requirements of the naval service. If applicable, comments regarding experience
gained in another branch of service, to include relation of the experience with the Navy's needs and requirements, should be included in
the applicant's application. The commanding officer will attest to such qualifications in his/her endorsing statement.
9. Favorably recommended by their commanding officer.
10. Color Vision Test. Refer to OPNAVINST 1420.2A for list of designators.