Do naval officers spend most of their time on a ship?

Toshi Nara — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 19:34:27 -0500

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2019 7:39 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 19:39:10 -0500

Depending on designator.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 28 at 2019 10:57 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 10:57:31 -0500

Hi Toshi. Unrestricted line officers will be in sea duty billets percentage wise more than medical, lawyers, logistics, and other staff corps. The percentages drop as the officers promote up as there are fewer O-4 and up billets available. I was an enlisted sailor that went Civil Engineer Corps. That totally ended sea duty when I commissioned, until I was an O-5 and did a stint as the 7th Fleet Engineer. That was a very rare circumstance that likely won't be seen very much. Even though you may be assigned to a ship, it's then a matter of what the ship is doing. It could be doing an operation, in port, or in drydock. I loved my time at sea and pretty much hated the drydock periods as shipyards are noisy, dirty, and always churning to compressed schedules which results in systems failures when we get back out to sea. The old saying is never enough time to do it right but always time to fix it.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 28 at 2019 7:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 19:03:36 -0500

NO, as they progress up the chain, ship slots become fewer and fewer and are very coveted.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 28 at 2019 9:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 21:25:18 -0500

A few weeks ago I met a retired Naval aviator, he had been commissioned at USN Pensacola, FL.

‘Philip’ said in his twenty years he had flown the larger Navy transport/cargo planes and had never been on board a ship!

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Dec 28 at 2019 9:43 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 21:43:48 -0500

Sadly, automation and reliability is eliminating the need for a lot of officers at sea. But on the bright side, shoreside vessel support billets are increasing. Intel jobs supporting operational demands are growing. TAD vessel duties are in bigger demand. Specific sailings may require added specialists. Ships are just a floating platforms for the projection of national interests. The mission is becoming more important that the ship.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 14 at 2022 4:02 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:02:21 -0400

SWOs and Aviators assigned to a Carrier air group. Other than that, not so much.