Oceanography (OCEANO) Officers, also known as METOC, are geophysical experts in meteorology, oceanography, hydrography, and related fields. Their mission is to analyze the physical environment to support Navy operations, ensuring navigation safety, operational freedom, and force lethality.
Key responsibilities include leading environmental data collection, processing, and dissemination to support fleet and joint missions, and managing teams from small detachments to large commands.
Assignments are worldwide, at sea on various vessels and ashore at research centers, forecast hubs, and headquarters.
Training involves courses like IWBC and BOAT, with opportunities for postgraduate education.
Qualifications require a technical bachelor's degree, physical fitness, security clearance eligibility, and seaworthiness. Benefits include pay, allowances, education programs, and potential incentives, with career progression through sea, shore, and educational tours.