Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2007/Appointment as an officer and transfer of PQ
By Christopher Ferguson
Navy actively encourages sailors who seek appointment to commissioned rank, and has set up the career transition advisory cell (CTAC) to assist those wishing to make the transition.
However, not all of those who nominate as officer candidates (OC) are appointed. OC must meet various eligibility requirements, including medical, psychological, security and educational standards, to be considered for commissioned rank. An OC who meets the eligibility requirements will be interviewed by an officer selection board (OSB) to determine his or her suitability for appointment as an officer.
Even if an OSB assesses a candidate as suitable, he or she may not receive an offer of appointment. Officer positions in Navy are fiercely contested. Entry to some primary qualifications (PQ) is particularly competitive and all candidates, who could include sailors, civilians and members of the other services, are ranked in merit order. Whether an individual candidate is offered appointment will depend on their ranking in the merit list and the number of positions available in his or her chosen PQ.
Candidates who are not offered a position in a particular round of offers may be given the opportunity to commission in an alternative PQ, if they are suitable and positions are available. OSB results remain valid for a period of 12 months and, in rare cases, unsuccessful candidates may be offered a position in their chosen PQ at a later date if one unexpectedly becomes available.
The concept of a merit list applies equally to serving officers seeking to transfer to a new PQ. Officers are generally expected to remain in the PQ to which they were assigned on appointment. However, approval may be given for an officer to transfer to another PQ in exceptional circumstances. Among other considerations, transfer will be subject to structural vacancies in the new PQ and officers seeking to transfer will compete with service and civilian candidates for a position.
ABR 10 contains further information for sailors wishing to become officers. Information for officers wishing to change PQ is available in ABR 6289.
