What are the service requirements after graduating from the United States Naval Academy?

I've been looking into the United States Naval Academy, and I'm curious about the service requirements post-graduation. How long are graduates expected to serve in the military, and in what capacities do they typically serve?

Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, all midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps. Following graduation, there is a mandatory service commitment:

1. Those commissioned into the U.S. Navy as Ensigns are required to serve for a minimum of five years active duty, although those who choose specialities like nuclear power, aviation, or Special Warfare (SEAL) may have longer commitments, which can be up to eight years.

2. Those commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps as Second Lieutenants are required to serve for a minimum of five years active duty.

As for the capacities in which they serve, it can vary widely. Generally, they serve as line officers in the unrestricted line communities (Surface Warfare, Submarines, Aviation, Special Warfare/SEAL, Special Operations/EOD). However, they can also serve in restricted line communities such as Naval Reactors, Intelligence, Oceanography or Information Professional.

An additional note: upon completion of their active duty service obligation, officers have a reserve commitment. The total active duty and reserve commitment combined is eight years.

Remember, attending any service academy is a serious commitment, as your first job after graduation will be serving as an officer in the military for a number of years. Be sure this aligns with your career goals before applying.