What can new SWO officers expect after completing OCS?

[SWO Bubba]

I don't I just wanted to confirm from anyone who had gone through SWOS previously, still trying to gain a bigger picture of what exactly happens after OCS. I know that there are certain qaul's you have to get after to get your SWO Pin. From my understanding SWOS is basically a simulation course to prepare you for earning those quals while out on the ship?

Navybrat88,

Many answers to your questions at:

http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/SurfaceWarfare/http://www.npc.navy.mil/
www.sailorbob.com
www.facebook.com/PERS41

 

[rsg10]

Thanks for info relevant to the forum!

rrawls,

The SWO community does not suck - far from it. SWO retention does not suck – far from it. The 30-year historical retention for SWOs shows a huge dip in the early ‘90s, but has been at ‘80s levels since the late ‘90s - around 35%-40%. There are, however, ENORMOUS challenges right now in the Surface Force, which make life very difficult and extremely painful. However, these things are cyclical and this period will correct itself eventually - only to be replaced by new challenges. Junior Officers haven’t seen these cycles before and are stuck in the here and now. In the early ‘90s, life was hard with post-Cold War budget cuts, exodus of Junior Officers and more. Late ‘90s, DHs suffered longer tours due to lack of DHs. In the 2001/2002 timeframe, many initiatives were implemented in the Surface Force without a clear understanding of the overall combined impact of the initiatives. In 2007/2008, leadership realized we went too far. Organizations can go south really quickly and it will take some time to work the institutional processes to get certain things corrected – like optimal manning. However, many initiatives are underway to get us back on track. It aint gonna happen overnight and daily life aboard ship will continue to be challenging for a few years. But, SWOs aren't the only community struggling. The community "Enterprises" are constantly looking at ways to save money while maintaining readiness - and these two goals are mutually exclusive.

...

Cheers,
SWO Bubba

Thank you for providing real information! I just got accepted to OCS at the March boards as a SWO. Do you know where I can find information about SWO training? Things like the billeting while in training, when you find out your first duty station, actual training hours... Thanks

 

[SWO Bubba]

Thank you for providing real information! I just got accepted to OCS at the March boards as a SWO. Do you know where I can find information about SWO training? Things like the billeting while in training, when you find out your first duty station, actual training hours... Thanks

Congratulations on being selected for SWO!!! Molto bene! Completely understand your head is swirling with questions and a lot of details won't become clear until you are well into the process, so be patient.

1) First thing to get your arms around is OCS: http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs.asp
2) Next step is to get familiar with PERS-41: http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/SurfaceWarfare/
3) Then, you can look up a lot of SWO community information and gouge at: http://www.sailorbob.com/phpBB2/index.php
4) Following OCS, you will attend a 3-week SWOS Intro course at SWOS (also in Newport, RI): http://www1.netc.navy.mil/swos/
5) After SWOS Intro course, some Ensigns report to their ships while some go to one other school. This all depends on the needs of the ship you select and won't be known until after you receive orders. The billet specific schools can be in your homeport or other training locations.

For ship selection, it's my understanding you will ship select towards the end of your OCS class through direct contact with the PERS-41 Junior Officer detailers. Your OCS leadership will guide you through that process.

That should get you off on the right course.

Cheers,
Bubba

 

[navybrat88]

Navybrat88,

Many answers to your questions at:

http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/SurfaceWarfare/http://www.npc.navy.mil/
www.sailorbob.com
www.facebook.com/PERS41

Thanks alot! Awesome info and yes answers to many of my questions.

 

[navybrat88]

Thank you for providing real information! I just got accepted to OCS at the March boards as a SWO. Do you know where I can find information about SWO training? Things like the billeting while in training, when you find out your first duty station, actual training hours... Thanks

rsg10 I am trying to get accepted into SWO as well do you go through BDCP or directly to OCS? What were your stats? How many LOR's from who? if you wouldn't mind sharing.

 

[chenama]

swo school?

my CAPT (submarines) tells me that surface ships are now mandated to send incoming SWO Ensigns to school before they show up to their ship. i've heard conflicting information from my LT (SWO). what is the right answer?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

my CAPT (submarines) tells me that surface ships are now mandated to send incoming SWO Ensigns to school before they show up to their ship. i've heard conflicting information from my LT (SWO). what is the right answer?

OCS Ensigns will check on board their ship for a little bit and then report back up to Newport for SWOS-INDOC.

 

[SynixMan]

My understanding is that everyone does go to SWOS, however you may do it before or after checking into your ship, depending on available class slots and other circumstances out of your control. I'd say half the SWO-daddys from my OCS class went right over to SWOS and the other half went to their ships, to return the following month.

 

[chenama]

OCS Ensigns will check on board their ship for a little bit and then report back up to Newport for SWOS-INDOC.

outstanding. thanks for the gouge