Operations Research Sub-Specialty Code

The Navy uses subspecialty codes to identify officers with requisite knowledge not specifically related to their warfare designator to fill critical billets both at sea and ashore. The highest level codes are P codes, which require a master’s degree program covering critical skills designated by the Navy.

The Navy also has a subspecialty coding system for officers based on their undergraduate education. The program was initiated by OPNAV N81, and the first code was the 3211E code to support the Navy's need for officer analysts. This code identifies junior officers who have analytical skills and training that directly support designated shore billets that involve analytical studies important to the future of the Navy.

The Marine Corps grants a secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code to officers meeting the OR program requirements delineated below. Similar to the 3211E code in the Navy, MOS 8051, "Operations Research Specialist," designates officers qualified for particular duties in support of research and development activities, major headquarters staffs in the supporting establishment and operating forces, and the Joint Staff/Command.

Requirements

Midshipmen who graduate as Operations Research (SMO) majors whose overall quality point ratio (QPR) is at least 2.7 and QPR within the major is at least 3.0, where an A=4, B=3, C=2, etc. will receive the sub-specialty code.

Contact LCDR Timothy Brock, USN (brock@usna.edu) with any questions.