A Sector Naval Academy was a local institution training crewman-cadets for the Imperial Navy, within the Empire-wide Imperial Academy system. Training took one year, at the end of which officers entered the fleet with a Lieutenant's commission.
The top five percent of Academy graduates on completing the course were qualified to train as TIE pilots. Apart from these, the top one-third of the class would be allowed to enter flight-related specialities such as astrogation, weapons system, or other support element. In addition, promising cadets are allowed to enroll at one of the elite Naval Academies, with graduates potentially rising to the rank of TIE Flight Leader or Star Destroyer Captain.