SWO question

[OSURUGBY7]

I was Pro-Recd 10/16/06 for SWO however my first 2 choices are SNA and NFO.
I was informed that if I swore in for SWO, and was later picked up for SNA or NFO I would not be able to switch over to my top 2 choices. Is there any confirmed date on when the aviation boards meet?
Also can anyone give any positive info on the SWO community? The majority of what I've read here indicates do not go SWO if you can.
Thanks,
-Kevin

 

[NUFO06]

What program are you going through? I had orders to report aboard USS Nashville as a SWO and then had them cancelled because I got picked up for aviation a couple weeks before graduation. It was kind of funny though because the Nashville called my ROTC Unit and wanted to know why there new CICO had not reported aboard yet, apparantly my detailer neglected to tell them.

 

[OSURUGBY7]

I am going through the OCS program to obtain my comission. I will gladly take SWO regardless as I want a Naval career, however I would prefer to keep my options open as to what route I take within the Navy.

 

[Thisguy]

I am going through the OCS program to obtain my comission. I will gladly take SWO regardless as I want a Naval career, however I would prefer to keep my options open as to what route I take within the Navy.

I'd hold out for what you really want. A lot of SWOs are disgruntled because they're ROTC/USNA guys who didn't get what they wanted, or they chose it because it has the shortest commitment.

Now, if you're truly interested in SWO, go for it, but it sounds like you just want to be in the Navy, which isn't a bad attitude, but it can be disappointing once you get into the Navy and you're not enjoying your job.

 

[Brett327]

I am going through the OCS program to obtain my comission. I will gladly take SWO regardless as I want a Naval career, however I would prefer to keep my options open as to what route I take within the Navy.

By all means, hold out for aviation.

Brett

 

[PRINCEJUDE]

SWO is not that bad. You get a lot of benefits like sea pay whether the ship stays in port or not. You get huge bonuses for contract renewal. My friend who is an engineer got up to $60,000 last year. It is all about the money. Make sure that you are single and stay like that. It is more fun that way. Women do not understand very well about deployments. A lot of them cheat or leave the husband for another man. So...be careful.

 

[FMRAM]

SWO is not that bad. You get a lot of benefits like sea pay whether the ship stays in port or not. You get huge bonuses for contract renewal. My friend who is an engineer got up to $60,000 last year.

You don't make a very convincing argument...

 

[Thisguy]

SWO is not that bad. You get a lot of benefits like sea pay whether the ship stays in port or not. You get huge bonuses for contract renewal. My friend who is an engineer got up to $60,000 last year. It is all about the money. Make sure that you are single and stay like that. It is more fun that way. Women do not understand very well about deployments. A lot of them cheat or leave the husband for another man. So...be careful.

A testimonial from an actual SWO might be more helpful.

 

[snizo]

It is all about the money.

It is?

I guess I should have gone nuke, then...

 

[Brett327]

You don't make a very convincing argument...

No kidding. I would never even dream of describing my aviation job as "not that bad," plus my bonus is $125K.

Brett

 

[Brett327]

Make sure that you are single and stay like that. It is more fun that way. Women do not understand very well about deployments. A lot of them cheat or leave the husband for another man. So...be careful.

This sounds like the downs syndrome version of me.

Brett

 

[OSURUGBY7]

Thanks for the replies, I figured waiting for the aviation board to make a final decision would be the best course of action before I swear in. However if I do not get picked up I will happily take SWO. Regarding SWO is their an ideal boat to be on, i.e. destroyer, frigate, carrier, etc..?
I've been aboard a frigate while on the NUPOC Kings Bay/Mayport trip a few months ago and really enjoyed it, but wasn't sure if there is a quality of life difference between a frigate and destroyer. Any insight would be useful.

 

[Gatordev]

Thanks for the replies, I figured waiting for the aviation board to make a final decision would be the best course of action before I swear in. However if I do not get picked up I will happily take SWO. Regarding SWO is their an ideal boat to be on, i.e. destroyer, frigate, carrier, etc..?
I've been aboard a frigate while on the NUPOC Kings Bay/Mayport trip a few months ago and really enjoyed it, but wasn't sure if there is a quality of life difference between a frigate and destroyer. Any insight would be useful.

They all have varying levels of suckiness. Based on what I've seen...

FFGs: Easier to qualify on (fewer systems) but usually overrun w/ Divos, so qualifying may take longer.

DDGs: Lots of water, good size wardroom, but lots of systems to learn. Certainly doable, just perhaps more to deal with. Plus the ship takes rolls in a mild sea state. I've never been underway on them, but I always hear people complain about how uncomfortable they are in bad seas (flat bottom).

CGs: O-6 CO. 'nuff said. Actually, they're probably on par w/ the DDGs for qualifying on.

 

[OSURUGBY7]

I'm not exactly privy to all the Navy lingo yet, so could you break down why a lot of division officers aboard a frigate would make it longer to qualify on?
Also what is the disadvantage to having an o-6 CO aboard a carrier, i didn't exactly follow on that one.

 

[EODDave]

DO NOT GO SWO!

Sorry Steve.