How does one become a capitan of an aircraft carrier?

Question

I want to fly planes but I would also like to command a vessel.Since at first I only wished to fly planes I was just going to join the Air Force,but since I want to comman a vessel (Carrier) I wondered if you could do both or it was something diffrent you had to do to become a capitan of a ship.

Answer 1

You will have to be at the top of your game from moment one in the Navy. In order to be a Commanding Officer of a Aircraft Carrier you will need to be a pilot or a navigator. No other officers can be a CO of a carrier. You will have to be an actual Captain and no lower rank. You would have already have had the position of Executive Officer on an Amphibious ship. You will also need to go to and successfully complete Navy Nuclear Power school to command a nuclear aircraft carrier. That plus a bunch of other schools may get you considered for the position. You will need to have the scholastic intelligence, the Naval experience and a whole bunch of other attitributes to make the cut for this position. This is not a job you just decide late in life that you want to do. This is something you really need years and years of training and experience for, I'm talking way back in junior high at least to get all the academics you will need to get you to the college you will need to get you to the Navy Officer program you will need to link you to this position. I'm not telling you no, I'm telling you it is an uphill quest if you really want this.

Answer 2

A Skipper of a Carrier starts at a young age,Jr High Math and Sciences. Joining a Civil Air Patrol to be come proficient in the art of aviation.at the recommendation of your Senator and approval of admissions you enter Annapolis,4yrs later,Flight School,next you start at the bottom in a squadron keep your nose into the books getting a Masters in Mechanical Engineering helps.at some point you are a Executive Officer of a Squadron Then Commanding Officer then Flight Boss,then Carrier Air Group Commander (CAG) finally an Executive Officer of a Carrier ,Nuclear Propulsion Qualification and the Prospective Commanding Officer Course Finally your own Ship!!If all goes well you make Admiral Lower Rank and your own Fleet/Carrier Battle Group,After a tour in the Pentagon of course! This is a short version you must consider that this is a thirty yr career. All the best to you. Warchild!

Answer 3

Being the Captain of an aircraft carrier is a position that is given to those who have proved themselves as leaders and aviators. This takes many many years. You don't post a resume' on Monster.com and hope for an interview. To my knowledge there are 12 active carriers and one being built. So the competition to be in command of such a vessel is fierce. Yours is a noble goal. Good luck !

Answer 4

all CVN skippers are not only Aviators, but are also graduates of the Nuclear Pipeline. You must be qualified in both before you can be selected as the CO of a Carrier. Other ships and submarines do not have the dual requirement, they only require you to be a SWO or Nuke(in the case of most Subs )

Answer 5

Start by being a straight A student in HS (heavy on the Math and Science), play sports, etc, so you can get into Annapolis, and get thru the rigoruos academic and physical regiment. Then qualify for flight school, then fighter flight school...good luck...they really do only take the best of the best. p.s. hope your vision stays 20/20

Answer 6

All CVN Skippers are pilots. Other than be a pilot, be a great Officer, have a great record and get on that career track.

Answer 7

First join the Navy.