Executive Branch The path to Command is through the executive Branch. Only sea going officers of the executive Branch can exercise command of Ships, Submarines and Aircraft. Seaman Officers can specialise in:
(a) Gunnery &Missiles
(b) Navigation and Direction
(c) Anti-Submarine Warfare
(d) Communications
(e) Aviation
(f) Submarine
(g) Hydrography
(h) Diving.
Other cadres that form part of the Executive Branch are – Law, Air Traffic Control, Naval Armament Inspection and Logistics.
Engineering Branch Modern ships, submarines and aircraft abound with advanced technology, machinery and propulsion systems. The Engineer Officer is responsible for keeping all these systems serviceable. Opportunities to work in shore jobs in naval dockyards and indigenous production units also exit. In no other career is an engineer exposed to such a wide spectrum of opportunities to keep abreast of modern development. An Engineer Officer’s career is interspersed with technical courses upto post graduation level in India/abroad. Naval Architects specialise in warship construction.
The Indian navy today employs the largest pool of trained Naval Architects in India. A Naval architect is involved in design, construction, quality control, repair and new construction work of naval vessels. With the Navy going for more and more sophisticated warship production within the country, the Corps of Naval Architects offers excellent opportunities to keep abreast of the advancement in ship building technology.
Electrical Branch A warship is a mini floating city with an integral power generation and distribution system. In addition, complex missile systems, underwater weapons, radars and radio communication equipment form major part of a warship’s equipment. A majority of these are either computer-based or computer aided and incorporate the latest trends in electronics engineering. For a ship to be able to fight effectively, all this equipment must be kept working at peak efficiency. Electrical Officers have this responsibility and other challenging tasks. The navy also offers excellent opportunities for post-graduate courses in India/abroad.
Education branch Any service will be as good as the training its officers and men receive. Education Officers play a major role in the training of a Naval officers/Sailors. Education Officers are responsible for scientific and methodical instructions including theoretical aspects of technical subjects of all Branches of the navy and for general education. Additionally, an Education Officer can specialise in Oceanography and Meteorology and also in some of the specialisations of the Executive Branch.
Note: Officers of the Engineering and Electrical Branches can also volunteer for the Aviation/Submarine Arm
Various career options and what each means Executive Officer As an Executive Officer you will be both ‘working ‘ and ‘fighting’ the ship. It means you will be a vital part of the complex system that manages the ship and also uses the ship as an instrument of tactical warfare. You will learn to have a good understanding of your ship’s capabilities and limitations and be able to turn them to your advantage. It is for this reason that an Executive Officer alone can aspire for the command of a naval ship.
The Executive officer’s are trained in sub-specialisations like anti-submarine warfare, navigation, communications, gunnery, logistics, diving and hydrography. One could also opt for the air or submarine arm. Within the branch your promotional chances are not affected by your choice of sub-specialisation, for instance, the Commanding Officer of a destroyer could have been a pilot and that of a guided missile frigate a submarine sub-specialist. Our specialist schools in Kochi constantly update your knowledge & sharpen your skills for greater responsibilities.
Aviation Officer For those with a yearning for the skies, the navy needs Pilots and Observers who act airborne tactical coordinators of marine warfare. While most Navy pilots fly ship borne helicopters and shore based maritime reconnaissance aircraft, some elite pilots also fly the V/STOL Sea Harrier. Naval aircraft locate and attack enemy surface ships and submarines and take part in amphibious warfare, search and rescue, casualty evacuation etc. For this, specialised training is imparted at Goa, Kochi and other shore and afloat units.
Submarine Officer If you enjoy the challenge of new frontiers, meet the medical standards and have an exceptional record, this is the specialisation for you. These new hi-tech war machines have awesome firepower, state-of-the art weapon control systems, computer controlled machinery and a high standard of habitability. One major responsibility of the submarines in peace time is to train for war as effectively as possible in the knowledge that this will contribute to its prevention. If you successfully complete the rigorous training, which is conducted at Visakhapatnam, you will be the proud possessor of the ‘Dolphin Badge’ and a member of a very elite arm of the Navy.
Hydrographic Officer This small but crucial sub specialisation is responsible for collecting information needed for the charts used by the Indian Navy and other Navies around the world. You have the option to remain a Surveyor throughout your career for the sheer love of it, or opt for other shore based appointments.
Naval Armament Inspection Officer These specialist officers inspect the armaments supplied to the Navy by various agencies. While they ensure the quality, safety and reliability of naval armament and stores, they are also responsible for in-house research & development leading to indigenisation.
Provost Officer & Law Officer A separate cadre of Provost Officers exists to deal with Policing, Regulatory, security and Vigilance needs of the Navy. Similarly, a separate cadre of Law Officers exists to deal with the legal needs of the navy. There are permanent Commissioned Officers as well as Short Service Commissioned officers in the Law Cadre.
Logistics Officer A modern warship is not only a complex fighting unit, but it is also a mini township and community of several hundred people who have to be fed, clothed and paid, whatever the ship’s role and whatever it may be. It has also to be constantly supplied with fuel, water and spares for the vast array of sophisticated equipment and machinery. At sea or on shore the Logistics Officer has a vital part to play in the technical and human aspects of the ship’s organisation. It is a job that requires exceptional managerial skills and the ability to work under pressure.
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