Speaking to bridge watches, I can only relate my experience on a Carrier. The CO and Suppo did not want chops up on the bridge standing OOD underway for a couple of reasons, first- there are a plethora of line O's that need the qual for advancement, it doesn't do Chops any good at all. Second Suppo wants the time spent on Supply issues, beans, bullets, parts, nothing else. I know this because I asked. The answer was "Oh, so your division is running perfectly huh?" - The CO obviously agrees that the core function of the chops is more important then standing OOD underway, or else chops would be on the OOD underway watchbill.
On the TR we did not have enough line officers to stand the watches and we many times had to use Chiefs and CWOs to fill the gaps in the bridge watch bill and maintain the normal number of duty sections. Every DH made the same arguement about their officers' job being their prime duty and not being able to spare them for the watch bill. Yet is was only the Supply officers, Docs and shooters/Air Dept (but Docs & Shooters are understandable) that did not have to stand duty either on the bridge, in combat, in Engineering or in the reactor. The Supply officers got away with it because the Suppo was a couple of years senior to the Big XO and he seemed to think that gave the Suppo free rein. There was no Supply officer that was overworked on TR except for the couple of days before we got underway loading from the pier. Even unreps underway were at most a semi-long day for the them. It caused a lot of hate and discontent among the rest of the wardroom and the Suppos were not liked.
The only SWOs and Aviators on the TR that had a normal amount of rack and playstation were air wing or flag staff, not ship's company.
My roommate was actually considered the most knowledgable, best Suppo on the ship. But his work schedule, and that of every Suppo onboard, was far from brutal and basically a 9 to 5 office job.
My brother's carrier (JFK) was the same as TR so that's two similiar experiences. In fact he was the ATO so he ran the CODs and helos bringing in supplies, mail, etc. on a daily basis. For him, it was a constant battle to get any of the Suppos when he needed them. He eventually gave up and started going direct to the Supply Chiefs.
From talking with many other Aviators and SWOs during my Navy life, Suppos on small boys and subs worked a hell of a lot harder than Suppos on carriers or large deck amphibs. There they seemed to be more part of the team and part of the watch bills instead of a world to themselves.
It is what it is and I'm just relating my experience and not really complaining. As they say, pick your rate - pick your fate.
