All special duty assignment pays cease upon transfer to which course?

The correct answer is the Naval Science Institute. Upon transfer to the Naval Science Institute, all special duty assignment pays cease. This is because the Naval Science Institute is designed as a preparatory course for individuals transitioning into officer roles, where the focus shifts from the operational duties that may have warranted special duty pays to the academic and leadership training necessary for officers.

In contrast, other courses like Officer Candidate School and Division Officer Course focus primarily on developing officer candidates' leadership and operational skills rather than being preparatory in the same way as the Naval Science Institute. The Navy Leadership Course, while pertinent to leadership training, does not specifically cause the cessation of special duty pays in the same manner as the transition to the Naval Science Institute does. Therefore, the point at which special duty assignment pays cease specifically aligns with the transition to the Naval Science Institute.