DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 1210.5B
N13
17 Jan 2019
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1210.5B
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: LATERAL TRANSFER AND REDESIGNATION OF ACTIVE COMPONENT
OFFICERS IN THE NAVY
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C.
(b) OPNAVINST 1520.40B
(c) DoD Instruction 1310.02 of 26 March 2015
1. Purpose
a. To provide flexibility in manning officer communities, under references (a) through (c),
and prescribe regulations governing the lateral transfer and redesignation of Active Component
(AC) officers between various designators in the unrestricted line, restricted line, and staff corps.
b. Major revisions to this instruction include clarification of eligibility requirements, off-
ramp without board action eligibility for supply corps limited duty officers (LDO), and updated
board convening authority. This instruction is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its
entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 1210.5A.
3. Scope and Applicability. The lateral transfer and redesignation process provides flexibility
in officer community manning, and improves the Navy’s return on investment in officer training
and education by maximizing and utilizing the specialized skillsets of officers throughout their
careers. Unless otherwise directed in this instruction, all lateral transfers and redesignations of
officers must be made following the approved reports of the lateral transfer and redesignation
boards appointed by the Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel (CHNAVPERS) and sponsored by
Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS), Director, Military Community Management
(BUPERS-3). Off-ramp initiatives such as a change of designator from LDO to the respective
restricted line or staff corps counterpart community or other without board actions are covered
under paragraph 9. Additional officer requirements can be found in MILPERSMAN 1001-020,
1212-010 through 050, 1321-105, and 1520-050. Specific lateral transfer board eligibilities are
listed in paragraphs 3(a) through 3(k):
a. Officers applying for lateral transfer and redesignation into another community must
meet the applicable criteria specified for that community under this instruction and the precepts
set forth in the board quota letter.
