Greetings,
Are supply officers generally looked down upon by other officer communities?
So supply officers stand watch on ships? If so, do they earn warfare badges like other officers?
Can supply officers serve on all kinds of ships, including submarines?
Is OCS the only commissioning route for supply officers?
Are promotional opportunities slower for supply officers than officers from other communities?
Thanks.
1. Are supply officers generally looked down upon by other officer communities?
Looked down upon... who cares? What job do you want to do? How do you want to be perceived and how do you want others to treat you? That comes from your ability to perform and your social skills, not what your designator is.
2/3. So supply officers stand watch on ships? If so, do they earn warfare badges like other officers?
Yes Supply Officers can stand watch on ships. Supply officers can earn their Surface Warfare, Aviation, Submarine, and Expeditionary Supply pins, in addition to Fleet Marine Force and Seabee Combat Warfare pins depending on your various tours you may be assigned.
Within the surface community, you may go to small platforms like Minesweepers or LCSs. On a minesweeper you'll be one of 8 total officers so you will absolutely stand watch. The more involved and capable you are, the better. On a small boy you may or may not ever have a chance to stand a watch like you would on a minesweeper or LCS. On small boys, however, you will likely become the HCO and stand watch during vertreps. You may stand OOD in port. On a sub you may have a similar experience to a platform such as the MCM/LCS and become a "battle chop" and stand watch as a dive officer.
4. Is OCS the only commissioning route for supply officers?
No. Many supply officers come from redesignation due to personal preference or attrition from other communities, for any number of reasons. While I would say the bulk commission through OCS, some come from ROTC, the reserves, the academy, and LDO programs. I have also heard that they may gain ascensions utilizing the DCO pipeline and eliminate supply from OCS but don't quote me on that cause i think it has been rumored around for quite a while.
5. Are promotional opportunities slower for supply officers than officers from other communities?
Depends? In terms of pay grade, no, and in some cases opportunities may come "sooner". In terms of your level of leadership and responsibility, again, it depends. some ensign suppos will manage massive budgets in S-1 or S-2 Divisions and some will serve as wardroom officers. Supply officers are needed on installations and platforms all over the world, so there is typically some opportunity to fill a billet that will benefit your career, if you want to check boxes and seek to promote as quickly as you are able.
If you have other questions pm me. Hope this helped a bit.
Best,
James