Oceanography Officers, also known as METOC, are Navy geophysical experts specializing in meteorology, oceanography, hydrography, and related fields.
Their mission is to analyze and apply environmental data to support fleet and joint operations, ensuring navigation safety, operational freedom, and force lethality.
Responsibilities include leading environmental data collection, processing, prediction, and dissemination, and managing teams from small detachments to large commands.
Officers serve at sea on vessels and ashore at research labs, forecast centers, and headquarters worldwide.
Training involves initial courses and postgraduate education, with career progression through sea, shore, and educational tours.
Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in a technical field, completion of college calculus and physics, and eligibility for security clearance.
Benefits include pay, incentives, tuition assistance, and career advancement opportunities.