Careers Available in the Indian Navy as Naval Officers

by UDAY KUMAR (Retired Officer from the Indian Navy)

Unlike the Army and the Air Force, the Naval officers lead their sailors in completing their unit’s mission. Whether it’s patrolling international waters, working on humanitarian projects, firing a test missile, deployed in pirate prone seas or maintaining a submarine power, the officers are well trained to get the job done.

Here are some of the career fields available to Navy officers.

Lawyers

Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers are the lawyers of the Navy. They prosecute and defend officers and sailors in legal cases, negotiate contracts, provide legal assistance to officers, sailors and their families, and even preside as judges over trial cases.

Aviation

There are three types of aviation officers in the Navy. Naval pilots fly jets, helicopters and turbo-propelled aircrafts. Primarily, they take off and land on ships at sea.

Observers

Observers are also part of Aviation but their role is different and are not pilots. They operate the high-tech equipment found on these aircrafts. Depending on the aircraft and the mission, observers are responsible for electronic countermeasures, submarine detection and firing anti submarine rockets and long-range radar.

IT Officer

Information Technology officers lead their teams in suppressing enemy networks (television, radio and Internet) and capturing signal intelligence from enemy networks. They also safe guard own information from any kind of attacks. The work of IT officers guides the commander in determining where to put the team’s assets.

Special Operations

Special Operations officers also called the Marine Commando (MARCOS) perform a variety of high-speed missions for the Navy. They lead MARCO teams on covert missions, often by parachute drop or submarine.

Nuclear Warfare

Nuclear Warfare officers, they are officers of the submarine cadre who are specialised for working on a nuclear submarine. Nuclear submarines are a relatively new concept in our Navy. It is a upcoming field. These officers are in control of the nuclear power plants of submarines. They are responsible for keeping equipment in pristine working condition, enforcing safety regulations and overseeing projects to improve nuclear components.

Submarines

Submarines are the tip of the Navy’s spear, and must have sharp, highly trained officers directing their operations. Officers on board are in charge of navigation, weapons, the propulsion, communications and intelligence.

Divers

Divers are a very vital lot to the Navy. They indulge in various underwater ops. They work on highly sophisticated systems to carry out underwater salvage, underwater hull survey, underwater repair, underwater explosive etc. They are required to be highly physically fit like the MARCOS. The operate midgets and chariots(explosive submarines manned by one or two divers)

General Service or Surface Navy

The majority of ships in the Navy are surface ships, so Surface Warfare officers are needed. This is the biggest lot of the Indian Navy. They include Technical as well as non-tech officers. The non-tech officers form the executive branch of the Navy. They are the backbone of the navy. They go on to become the captains of ships and later Admirals. The Surface Warfare officers carry out many duties, including navigation, communication, electronic warfare, air defense operations for aircraft carriers and anti-submarine warfare. They support Marine Corps forces in amphibious operations, and provide warships with fuel and supplies. Also, they conduct mine detection and neutralization operations. They technical officers (electrical) are responsible for the electrical equipments and communications systems. The Technical Officers (engineering) are responsible for the propulsion, power supply and hydraulics involved in the ship. This is the most important and biggest branch of the Navy and this branch personifies all that is Navy and warships.

Education

The education branch involve in training officers and sailors in the various training schools. Their job is only that of a lecturer/ instructor in naval training establishments.

Logistics

Logistics Officers are involved in the money matters of the navy. Whether it is war ship acquisition or the purchase of a particular equipment system or monthly payment of salary, the logistics officers are involved. They provide all kinds of logistic support to the units and various organisations of the navy.

Ordinance and Inspection Cadre

The ordinance and inspection cadre is a relatively small cadre. They are responsible for various inspection and survey of guns and explosives. They work from shore establishments like explosive depots and armament depots.

Medical

Doctors of the navy are posted onboard various hospitals of the navy. They are also posted to bigger ships and various command hospitals of the other services. However lady officers are not posed onboard ships.

If you are interested in joining the navy and are not clear about the branch you have applied for then,

• Research the different career fields within the Navy. Decide if you want to fly, serve on a ship or submarine, become a MARCO or pursue a professional career such as law or medicine (totally based on your subject of graduation). The career you want may impact the path you choose.
• Read online about the different paths that are available for becoming an officer. You may attend the Indian Naval Academy or National Defence Acedemy or join after graduation from college with a direct commission. After graduation, other paths include a Direct Commission for doctors or lawyers.
• Check basic eligibility requirements. The age limits vary by the method of commissioning. All officers must be Indian citizens.
• Take plenty of maths and science in 10+2. The Navy is very technical, and all officers need a solid technical background. If you want to enter a field such as nuclear power, aviation etc it is even more important.
• Get in shape. All paths to becoming a navy officer require physical fitness.