A limited duty officer (LDO) is an officer in the United States Navy who was selected for commissioning based on skill and expertise, and is not required to have a bachelor's degree but still desired to have a degree. They are employed in situations where it is desirable to have an officer with strong, specific technical knowledge and seasoned leadership.
LDOs do not attend a conventional pre-commissioning program such as a twelve- to fourteen-week OCS program. Instead, they typically attend a four-to-five week LDO/CWO indoctrination school as commissioned officers.