Engineering Duty Officer

An engineering duty officer is a restricted line officer in the United States Navy, involved with the design, acquisition, construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, overhaul, or disposal of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and the systems on those platforms (weapons, command and control, communications, computers, etc.). As of November 30, 2011, there are approximately 791 engineering duty officers on active duty in the United States Navy, representing approximately 1.5 percent of its active-duty commissioned officers.

The Engineering Duty Officer Community Leadership [2] has stated that the purpose of the engineering duty officer community is "to provide experienced Naval Engineers known for bringing effective technical and business solutions in support of Naval Power 21 [3]; respected for integrity, adaptability, and agility. Engineering duty officers ensure that our naval and joint forces operate and fight with the most capable platforms possible. We are involved with the design, acquisition, construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, overhaul, and disposal of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers and the systems on those platforms (weapons, command and control, communications, computers, etc.). Engineering duty officers are unique to the Navy because we all start our career as URL officers. First, we learn how to operate ships or submarines. Next, all EDs obtain technical/engineering Master's degrees. Then, we combine that operational experience and technical knowledge to become the technical business leaders for the Navy."[4]

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