Questions about being Navy SWO?

Question

Nobody answered these questions I asked on the Navy OCS discussion forum, so I hope better luck here.

Just got pro-rec'd for SWO (my 3rd choice) even though I was hoping for IW (1st choice) or Supply (2nd choice). Now waiting for finselect.

I hear they move you around all the work departments of SWO. Will a time come when you can settle in a certain department?

So I'm guessing auxiliary ships are the most similar work to Supply a SWO can do? Will it give you the most helpful chances if you want to lat transfer to Supply? How competitive is it to be assigned to auxiliary ships once you're SWO?

So if supposedly after being SWO for a couple years and your heart tells you to switch communities, would not taking these OOD and/or EOOW tests prevent it? Of course, I know I would have to do a good job as SWO; common sense at any other jobs if you want to earn some more favorable and flexible work opportunities.

I keep hearing about OOD and EOOW. Besides requirements of knocking out training via OCS, DIVO, SWOS, etc.., is this OOD the only required test for SWOs to pass?

Answer 1

first, go to military.com and check out the Navy Forums there. there are several SWOs who frequent the boards.

SWOs are jacks of all trades. you will spend time in Combat, Engineering, Deck and everywhere in between. expect back to back(and possibly to back again) sea tours. you will be a DIVO(Divison Officer) at first..possibly in more than one Division on your first tour.

SWOs have 2 years from Commission to qualify. so if you don't want to get kicked OUT as a Ltjg, you MUST get Officer of the Deck and Engineering Officer of the Watch qual'd. In fact, not getting Qual'd ASAP could earn you a bad reputation and totally ruin your shot at ever transferring out.

Transfering out of SWO right now is darn difficult. In fact, they are offering big bucks to stay SWO and to lateral INTO SWO, esp. at the O4-O5 levels. Supply is technically at strength, if not overstrength, and SWO is undermanned. your chances of transferring are pretty slim at this point. That may change in a few years. IWOonly takes about 50-75 new accessions a year,and that includes laterals.

Answer 2

pretty much yeah.. and holidays too. usually holidays are duty section only. duty section turn over can vary.. might be at 0700 on a weekend. might be at 0830. you do NOT have to stay awake the whole time, not even Navy coffee is THAT good heheheh. you just have to be on board and easily found when not actually standing the watch.. watches can be 2 hours long, or 4 hours long, once in a blue moon they are longer like 6 or 8 but that willdepend on the type of watch. it is conceivable you could stand more than one watch in a 24 hour period too. especially on days where you get a supply delivery.

Answer 3

No body cares about your question or your pointless naval career. hahahahahha!!

Answer 4

ANTI PAT.... GO TO HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOME OF US ACTUALLY SERVE.