<p>I just heard that folks are actually selecting SWO over aviation these days. Can anyone who is on the inside verify if this is true?</p>
<p>Man, talk about an alternative reality....</p>
<p>Dang, I just threw away my '06 service selection profile. Well, if memory serves, 430 went aviation, including Naval Aviator, NFO, Marine Aviator, NFO, and one Nasa type. </p>
<p>As far as I have heard, though, SWO is not a highly prized billet, to say the least. Most of my son's classmates want aviation. Also, the aviation pipeline is supposedly way backed up. One reason for service selecting SWO, though, might be the upcoming commissioning of the USS Freedom, scheduled for '08. It is a new Littoral class ship.</p>
<p>NASA?</p>
<p>They have a billet at NASA?</p>
<p>Oh, man. I went 15 years too soon, and 15 years less smart. :(</p>
<p>Zaphod, here is the service selection info:</p>
<p>15/06: First Class Midshipmen selected their first career assignments on Friday, February 23. During the night, seniors selected their ships or school dates. Click on the USNA Parents website for more information and photos. Here is a breakdown for Service Selection for the Class of 2006:
Total
Male
Female</p>
<p>Surface Warfare (Conventional) 239
186
63</p>
<p>Surface Warfare (Nuclear) 34
19
15</p>
<p>Navy Pilot 274
245
29</p>
<p>Navy Flight Officer 75
64
11</p>
<p>Submarine (Nuclear) 88
88
0</p>
<p>Navy SEALs 21
21
0</p>
<p>Special OPS 15
15
0</p>
<p>USMC 209
186
23</p>
<pre><code> USMC Ground 128
</code></pre>
<p>115
13</p>
<pre><code> USMC NFO 4
</code></pre>
<p>3
1</p>
<pre><code> USMC Pilot 77
</code></pre>
<p>68
9</p>
<p>Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer 1
1
0</p>
<p>Civil Engineer Corps 3
3
0</p>
<p>Cryptology 5
3
2</p>
<p>Intelligence 6
6
0</p>
<p>Supply Corps 8
8
0</p>
<p>Medical Corps 10
9
1</p>
<p>Air Force 2
0
2</p>
<p>Army 1
0
1</p>
<p>Totals
991
854
147</p>
<hr>
<p>Any idea how many of those were first choices?</p>
<p>Sigh...... To be half my age again! :(</p>
<p>To all of you looking to get in, or already there: LIVE! Live for the moment! Don't let a second go to waste! LIVE!</p>
<p>Here is a portion of the article I found:</p>
<p>"Those Midshipmen who did not get selected to their first choice community were notified via their Company Officers that their records had been passed to their second choice communities. This process continues until all Midshipmen had a community assignment. The results of this process were briefed to the Commandant of Midshipmen and then subsequently approved by the Superintendent. </p>
<p>Approximately 82% of the class received their first choice and about 94% received their first or second choice. Class rank (Order of Merit) played a large role in service assignment but was not the only metric considered by community selection boards."</p>
<p>Also there have been some changes, for whatever reasons. Our son told us of one firstie who was first assigned SWO, appealed (or threw a fit, or whatever) and was reassigned to Marines because a slot opened up. </p>
<p>Anyway, I probably shouldn't post after participating in a wine-tasting course via television for the last hour! I almost emptied my Box-O-Wine! :) Guess I am drowning my sorrows after son's departure. On the bright side, I have almost returned the house to order!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Class rank (Order of Merit) played a large role in service assignment but was not the only metric considered by community selection boards.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Another change. They called us down in strict OOM order.</p>
<p>momof1,
I want to hear more about the televised wine-tasting course. Please fill us in on how this works...
You're not alone, lots of sad parents today. On the drive to LAX this morning, my mid said, "At least I never have to repeat Plebe Summer." Some Southern California mids even got together for lunch last week. Today, at least 15 were on the non-stop to Baltimore.</p>
<p>From what I have read (<a href="http://www.stormingmedia.us/78/7807/A780714.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.stormingmedia.us/78/7807/A780714.html</a>) it seems that the OOM is still the largest factor, however now about 20% is dependent on the interview in the service community.</p>
<p>The wine thing was a PBS fund-raiser. A wine expert, Mark Phillips, (no, not Princess Anne's former husband) was giving lessons on wine tasting. Since I had my handy-dandy Box-O-Wine here, I participated along with his studio audience. Learned how to swish and suck in and sniff and "do the stemmage" and about acidity vs. fruitiness, etc. It was fun to do with cheap wine! Maybe later I'll open this bottle of Angeli Cuvee my principal gave me for my birthday and apply my newfound skills. I should probably do that AFTER I finish writing my report cards!</p>
<p>My mid headed back from Alaska at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. He actually enjoys arriving early, rather than having to worry about flights, weather, etc. at the last minute. By the time he arrived, 14 hours later, he could settle in and get ready for the week, and try to readjust to the 4 hour time difference. He called earlier and he sounds happy and relaxed. Ah, only 8 weeks to go until break! You plebe parents, good on you! It is almost time for Herndon! Go if you can! It was great fun!</p>
<p>
[quote]
"At least I never have to repeat Plebe Summer."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Truer words are rarely spoken....</p>
<p>Gosh, we didn't even have interviews with the service community. If you qualified and your OOM got you a slot, you were in.</p>
<p>Only exception was nuke, USMC (had to complete Bulldog), and SEAL (had to complete pre-mini-BUDS). No interviews, though.</p>
<p>Hmmm..... That would be interesting to see in action.</p>
<p>what is the difference in selecting SWO vs. nuclear SWO? Is it the size of the ships and/or ship selection? Not sure I am understanding the difference in practical terms....</p>
<p>Nuclear SWO selectees are assigned to ships powered by nuclear reactors.</p>
<p>^They get to go to Nuke School!</p>
<p>I am hearing that '08 or '09 will be the first class where women can go subs. Any truth to that?</p>
<p>Seriously doubt it, however, subs need more smart people to volunteer, so it would fit I guess. Maybe some to the large sub retrofits could make room for another sex. I don't see a smooth transition, that's for sure!</p>
<p>It was my understanding that is when the Virginia Class subs will begin to be rolled out and that they are designed to accomodate women. Any confirmation on that?</p>