Surface Warfare Officer......is it rewarding?

[BigRed389]

Thanks. So, if one wants to make O-6 and possibly command a cruiser someday, trying to command a smaller ship at a more junior rank is not the way to go? It's better to be department head and then XO of a larger vessel?

By the time this question is of any relevance to you, you will have the necessary experience and context to make an informed decision, as well as direct access to those who can offer much more experienced opinions.

 

[sevenhelmet]

Apologies, what is DCA?

Deputy Commandant for Aviation?
Department of Consumer Affairs?
Digital Communications Analyzer?

Oh wait, in surface warfare world it's...

Damage Control Assistant. Got it.

So. Many. Acronyms.

 

[phham]

I keep on hearing the SWO stands for sleep walking officers. I haven't come across any other insulting acronyms; however I'm still curious (I'm considering planning that now that I hear intel is not what it is cracked up to be). Is it really a bad job with too much responsibility and too little respect?

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=96687

Bonuses of 95K to 105K? This sounds good on the one hand. But, the again, are such bonuses being offered because junior SW officers are leaving the Navy in droves?

Does "Officer in Year Group 2012" mean SW officers who were commissioned in 2012? Is this bonus typically offered after the initial 3 year division officer tour after commissioning? If so, I thought most ensigns had a 5 year minimum commitment. Therefore, is the bonus offered at the 5 year mark? Is this the point where an officer can expect to be a department head and therefore be offered a retention bonus?

Are there any similar bonuses offered to aviators to keep them from fleeing to the airlines?

Thanks.

 

[BigRed389]

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=96687

Bonuses of 95K to 105K? This sounds good on the one hand. But, the again, are such bonuses being offered because junior SW officers are leaving the Navy in droves?

Does "Officer in Year Group 2012" mean SW officers who were commissioned in 2012? Is this bonus typically offered after the initial 3 year division officer tour after commissioning? If so, I thought most ensigns had a 5 year minimum commitment. Therefore, is the bonus offered at the 5 year mark? Is this the point where an officer can expect to be a department head and therefore be offered a retention bonus?

Are there any similar bonuses offered to aviators to keep them from fleeing to the airlines?

Thanks.

The new bonus is targeted to identify hot runners early, and get them to commit earlier. It also usually comes with a hookup on follow on orders as well.

Basically, they're making it easier for the ones they want to stay to commit.

It's hard to say it's because a lot of junior SWOs are leaving. At this point, DH selection rate is actually the lowest it's been since...as long I can remember. But that was not always the case.

 

[phham]

Thanks. So, can I infer from your response that a mediocre officer at the 4th or 5th year mark will most likely not get offered the bonus? Would he just probably leave the service altogether at that point? Would this most likely mean the same for someone who does not make DH? Btw, what are the different departments a LT can lead? Are there some departments considered more prestigious than others?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Thanks. So, can I infer from your response that a mediocre officer at the 4th or 5th year mark will most likely not get offered the bonus? Would he just probably leave the service altogether at that point? Would this most likely mean the same for someone who does not make DH? Btw, what are the different departments a LT can lead? Are there some departments considered more prestigious than others?

For mediocre officers, it depends if they're screened for department head. If they're screened and want to continue as a SWO, they can accept the bonus. If they're not screened up to 3 times, they can complete their shore tour and/or redesignate to another community.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-n...acewarfare/Documents/SWO Community Brief.pptx

Here's a decent overview/PPT on the rest of your questions.

 

[phham]

Thanks

 

[phham]

Is SWO a better community than Supply if one wanted to gain management/leadership experience before applying to business school? Or, do they both offer the same type of leadership/management opportunities and they are both basically what one makes of each community?

Thanks.

 

[BigRed389]

Is SWO a better community than Supply if one wanted to gain management/leadership experience before applying to business school? Or, do they both offer the same type of leadership/management opportunities and they are both basically what one makes of each community?

Thanks.

For MBA purposes, you're going to get similar levels of leadership/management.

The "plus" to SWO would be potentially more diverse management experience, ie management in a technical field.
But the Supply guy will get more experience working with actual money/budgets.

 

[phham]

Thanks. Yes, I was thinking the same point as far as Supply goes. Leadership experience plus dealing with financial matters which would perhaps be a better fit for b school. Then again, I did meet a former helo pilot who got into Stanford business after his stint in the Navy was up.

I guess one concern is that if I decide I like the Navy, perhaps SWO is a better career path than Supply. At what point does a Supply officer stop going out to sea? O-5?

 

[azguy]

Thanks. Yes, I was thinking the same point as far as Supply goes. Leadership experience plus dealing with financial matters which would perhaps be a better fit for b school. Then again, I did meet a former helo pilot who got into Stanford business after his stint in the Navy was up.

I guess one concern is that if I decide I like the Navy, perhaps SWO is a better career path than Supply. At what point does a Supply officer stop going out to sea? O-5?

For the purposes of B school, I'll go out on a limb and say that designator doesn't matter. Many schools out there look for a certain number of military JOs for the purpose of diversity. Your undergrad GPA and GMAT will matter way more to them than which service or community you come from.

SUPPOs tend to get most of their sea time out of the way by LT. Certainly there are some jobs for them on the carriers and LHDs. If you want to be a warfighter and aspire to command a ship, SUPPOs don't do that, but I know there are many chops that wouldn't have it any other way and love being supply officers. It's more about what interests you than anything else.

 

[phham]

Makes sense. Thanks. Is it worth getting the SWO badge as a SUPPO? What does that entail? Standing watches?

 

[Uncle Fester]

Makes sense. Thanks. Is it worth getting the SWO badge as a SUPPO? What does that entail? Standing watches?

Other US Navy Communities and Specialties: Supply Officer

Quiet independent reading time, my friend.

 

[azguy]

^ Long story short, SUPPOs aren't eligible for a SWO pin. They complete the SWSCO PQS and then board with the CO to earn a SWSCO pin.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Thanks. Yes, I was thinking the same point as far as Supply goes. Leadership experience plus dealing with financial matters which would perhaps be a better fit for b school. Then again, I did meet a former helo pilot who got into Stanford business after his stint in the Navy was up.

I guess one concern is that if I decide I like the Navy, perhaps SWO is a better career path than Supply. At what point does a Supply officer stop going out to sea? O-5?

The Supply DH on a CVN is an O-5 and every carrier tour I did he was the DH that was shit on by pretty much every other DH and the CO/XO, nearly impossible to get everything right as a CVN Supply Officer.