There is a unique and profound prestige in earning a professional degree, becoming a Doctor, a Nurse, or an Attorney. But there is an even deeper, rarer commitment: taking that hard-won expertise and bringing it to the service of the nation as a commissioned Naval Officer.
This is the path of Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport. It’s an intense, 5-week course that teaches established civilians how to be leaders in the United States Navy.
As a commissioned officer myself (via OCS in Newport), I have a profound respect for this path. These professionals are not just commissioning to work in a comfortable hospital or law office. They are preparing to serve anywhere in the world, on ships, in the field with Marines, and at remote bases. The prestige of this path comes from their willingness to take their professional skills and apply them in the most challenging, expeditionary environments on earth, serving alongside sailors and Marines wherever the mission demands.
Their families are often on the steepest learning curve, navigating this brand new culture in a matter of weeks. This guide is for you.
1. The "Dual Identity" Gift: The Commissioning Plaque
This is, in my opinion, the most powerful gift for an ODS graduate. It visually represents their new, dual identity. Our Personalized Commissioning Plaque allows you to frame a 5x7 photo from their graduation day right next to their new professional corps crest (Medical Corps, Nurse Corps, JAG Corps, Chaplain Corps, etc.) and a custom engraved message.
A Pro-Tip on Personalization: Honor Both Professions. This is the one time when adding a title is incredibly powerful. An engraving that reads:
Robert J. Smith, MC, USN
Doctor of Medicine
Commissioned 17 October 2025
...is a timeless and profound tribute to the two demanding professions they now represent, both ashore and afloat.
Design a Custom Commissioning Plaque for Your New Officer
2. The Federal Commission: Frame Their Certificate
This is a must-do for every new officer. The commissioning certificate is the legal document that officially makes them a commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's a profound symbol of their new federal authority and global responsibility. This document is a huge deal, and it is absolutely worth getting professionally framed to preserve and display it.
3. The Expeditionary Career in Coins: A Coin Display
Their coin collection will start at ODS, but it will be built around the world. A Navy doctor, lawyer, or nurse doesn't just get coins from a hospital in San Diego; they get them from a Marine Expeditionary Unit they're attached to, a destroyer they're embarked on, or a joint task force in a foreign country. An officer can easily collect 5-10 new coins each year.
A Personalized Coin Display is the perfect gift to showcase the incredible, unique story of their expeditionary career, coin by coin.
Shop Our Engraved Challenge Coin Displays
4. The Officer's Sword: A Symbol of Fleet Leadership
The Navy Officer's sword is a powerful symbol of their new authority, a sign of leadership they will carry in the fleet. While it's not required for an Ensign, it is required when they promote to Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) later in their career.
Many professionals, however, choose to acquire their sword early as a personal recognition of this new chapter. A handcrafted display is a magnificent gift, but a word of advice: your new officer is about to move. Gifting the display once they are settled at their first permanent duty station can be a wonderful "welcome home" present. Our displays are all built with "PCS-proof" construction, designed to be durable and easily re-mounted after every move, from Norfolk to Okinawa.
(Please note: We do not sell swords. For a superior quality product, we personally recommend trusted vendors like Marlow White.)
Explore Our "PCS-Proof" Navy Officer Sword Displays
Your loved one has chosen a path of dual service, bringing their incredible civilian skills to the Navy's global mission. They are now part of a long, proud tradition of Staff Corps professionals who serve alongside sailors and Marines on land and at sea. It's a remarkable commitment.
From our military family to yours, congratulations on this incredible milestone.
- The Blades Raised Team
