<p>If someone becomes a surface warfare officer, I understand that their time is divided between "sea tours" and "shore tours". I read that sea tours can last more than two years. Does anyone know how much time in a sea tour is actually spent at sea? It doesn't seem like anyone would want to stay in the Navy if you were really at sea for two years straight. If a sea tour isn't actually spent entirely at sea, what do you do during the rest of the tour?</p>
<p>usnagirl,</p>
<p>I learned a little about the surface warfare "pipeline" this summer when the XO on our DDG gave us the "Go SWO" advertisement brief. Here's what normally happens:</p>
<p>Graduate from USNA
-Next 12-24 months: qualifications: Engineering officer of the watch, 1st Division officer tour, officer of the deck, SWO pin, LT Junior Grade after approx 24 months.
-In that time, 1st Division officer tour (gunnery officer, ASW officer, etc)
-After SWO pin, next 12 months, 2nd DIV-O tour (Navigator, Communications)
-Total time at sea 42-50 months, assignment of shore duty, promotion to LT
-Shore tour (Company officer/Commandant's staff/admissions office @ USNA, NROTC unit leader, admin/training at Military Entrance Processing stations, Great Lakes training command, other administrative duties) lasts approx. 36 months (This is where you can get out if you choose)
-Sea Tour (1st Dep Head tour 12-15 months), 2nd Department head tour (12-15 months)
-Promotion to LCDR (will come easier if you have masters-to be completed during first shore tour)
-Shore tour (instructor USNA, NROTC unit instructor, Blue and Gold Program, various other admin duties; 15 months)
-2 Executive Officer tours (about 24 months each)
-Promotion to commander dependent on boards and masters degree...</p>
<p>Sea tours are not all spent "at sea". You'll see that sea tours last no longer than your first one, which is a few years. During that time, you might go on 2 6-month deployments. Other times will be spent at your "home port". You might go underway for a week or so here and there, then return to home port. The CO might get orders to go out on some "day runs" where you'll go out for the day, then come back to your home port. You'll get used to the home port that you're in to say the least. Additionally, leave is granted during special times for some commands, but the universal rule is that you get 3 days of leave for every month you are working. So, that's about 9 days for every three months, which is not too far off the ratio you'll get at USNA, but you'll have more leave at USNA than you ever will in the fleet, so I feel king of spoiled in a sense...</p>
<p>Pretty much you switch back and forth between sea tours and shore tours. If you're going to get out right after 5 years, you'll do 1 sea tour and 1 shore tour. Spelled scenario wrong...</p>
<p>I wanted to revive this thread because usnagirl posed an interesting question and GoNavyXC gave such a comprehensive and detailed response. How likely is one to become a NROTC unit instructor, and what is the Blue & Gold program?</p>
<p>Yeah, thanks for the great answer! It helped a lot, although I didn't understand all the terminology :)</p>
<p>Could anyone provide a timeline like this for the aviation community?</p>
<p>The Navy's policy regarding sea duty is that no units will be deployed more than 50 percent of the time. There are exceptions to that policy in that the needs of the Navy take precedence.</p>
<p>IIRC, John Lehman, SECNAV, made the 50/50 policy when he was in office. That policy caused some problems fro the Seabees because we were on a 7-5-7 schedule -- meaning a 7-month of deployment followed by 5-months in home port followed by another 7-month deployment.</p>
<p>Also, if your ship is in a shipyard for major repairs/upgrades or an overhaul, your time at sea will be significantly reduced. For example, an aircraft carrier overhaul and refueling takes approximately three years.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing that information GA. Can other salty dogs share their sea tour/shore tour experiences?</p>
<p>GoNavyXC made a nice attempt at describing the SWO career path, but left out quite a bit of information, especially with respect to various types of shore duty. Rather than go into a great amount of detail, I recommend people interested in the SWO community go to:</p>
<p>PERS-41</a> Surface Warfare Homepage</p>
<p>At this link you will find power point presentations that discuss the aspects of a career as a SWO. The presentations are quite informative and are from the community representatives. They are official.</p>