To be eligible for appointment, applicants must meet the following requirements: Be a U.S. citizen Be serving on active duty as a CPO, an SCPO, or an MCPO in the Regular Navy, Naval Reserve, or Training and Administration of Reserves (TAR) program at the time of applica- tion Be physically qualified for appointment as warrant officer Be a high school graduate or possess the service-accepted equivalent Have no record of conviction by court- martial or of conviction by civil court for any offenses other than minor traffic violations for 2 years preceding the date of 16 January of the year of application Be recommended by their commanding officer Must have completed at least 12 years, but not more than 24 years, of active service on 16 January of the year in which application is made NAVMILPERSCOMINST 1131.1A spells out the application procedures for active and inactive duty personnel for the Chief Warrant Officer Program. CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT PROGRAM The Navy uses the Commissioned Warrant Officer Physician’s Assistant Program to supply nonphysician primary health care providers who are trained to act as physician extenders in the Navy health care system. Physician’s assistants are technical officer specialists with the academic and practical training to provide primary patient care services under the supervision of a physician. Their duties require extensive knowledge of a specific  occupational  field,  are  technically oriented, and are repetitive in nature. The training program takes 60 weeks and consists of dietetic training and clinical rotations. Physician’s assistants retain their permanent enlisted paygrade while enrolled in the training program.   Upon completion, each physically qualified selectee will be commissioned in the grade of CWO (W-2). Enlisted Hospital Corpsmen in the Regular Navy, Naval Reserve on active duty, and TAR program may apply. You must be a CPO with between 12 and 24 years of active naval service by the date of commissioning and be a graduate of Advanced Hospital Corps School (NEC 8425), Medical Services Technician School, or Nuclear Submarine Medicine Technician School (NEC 8402). An annual NAVMILPERSCOM notice will solicit applications and announce application deadlines for the in-service procurement board. THE LIMITED DUTY OFFICER PROGRAM The LDO Program provides a path of advancement for PO1 through SCPO and CWO to commissioning as a temporary ensign or lieutenant junior grade (as applicable) in the Regular Navy or Naval Reserve. The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for the LDO Program: Be a U.S. citizen. Be serving on active duty in the Regular Navy, Naval Reserve, or TAR program at the time of application. If selected, personnel must remain on active duty until appointment is tendered. Be physically qualified for appointment to LDO. Be a high school graduate or possess the service-accepted equivalent. Have no record of conviction by court- martial or of conviction by civil court for any offense other than minor traffic violations for 2 years preceding 16 January of the year in which application is made. Be recommended by the commanding officer. Be serving as a petty officer first class or CPO/SCPO on 16 January of the year in which application is made. If a PO1, the applicant must have served in that capacity for at least 1 year as of 16 January of the year in which application is made. 4-18