Accurate Picture of First 4 Years as a SWO

[HM2]

Hey all,

I have an application in to the SWO program now and am waiting on hearing back from OCS—I hope to attend this summer. I realize that the questions in this post may be basic, but I am fairly confused about the lifestyle I'll have in the Navy. I'm not sure if I plan on staying in more than 4 years, so my questions pertain mostly to what my schedule will be for this initial obligation.

Firstly, how many times should I expect to be deployed in this period? I've only been able to find information about carrier deployment frequency—nothing about destroyers, LCS, etc.

Also, how often would I (reasonably) be able to get home (I'm from the midwest, say I'd be stationed on the east coast, for example).

Lastly, I know that when the ship's in port, I'll have to report on weekdays and occasionally stand watch. How often are ships underway when technically in-port (not on a long deployment).

Thanks in advance for your help in piecing this together—it is much appreciated!

 

[azguy]

Destroyer and Cruiser deployments will closely mirror what you found for the carriers. You can reasonably expect to do two deployments in your first 4 years. Some people will do 1, some will do 3... LCS do this a little different, and you basically end up on deployment more often.

How often do you want to go home? You get 30 days of leave per year. Barring a long deployment, you can plan to actually use most of that on an average year.

In terms of non-deployment underway, it depends. Speaking very, very generally, the ship gets home from deployment, does 6 months in a maintenance period where you don't get underway, then about 8 months of workups; I'd say you'll spend ~8-10 weeks of that 8 months out to sea, usually 1 week at a time.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Hey all,

I have an application in to the SWO program now and am waiting on hearing back from OCS—I hope to attend this summer. I realize that the questions in this post may be basic, but I am fairly confused about the lifestyle I'll have in the Navy. I'm not sure if I plan on staying in more than 4 years, so my questions pertain mostly to what my schedule will be for this initial obligation.

Firstly, how many times should I expect to be deployed in this period? I've only been able to find information about carrier deployment frequency—nothing about destroyers, LCS, etc.

Also, how often would I (reasonably) be able to get home (I'm from the midwest, say I'd be stationed on the east coast, for example).

Lastly, I know that when the ship's in port, I'll have to report on weekdays and occasionally stand watch. How often are ships underway when technically in-port (not on a long deployment).

Thanks in advance for your help in piecing this together—it is much appreciated!

Are you a fleet applicant or working with a recruiter?

 

[VoodooNova]

I can speak to the LCS side of the house. I'll deploy twice for a total of ~12 months between now and Dec 2017. As for underways, it'll depend. My crew hosted some 1st tours during an exercise with only 28 days of underway time in their 2 years on their crew (they're a few months away from ending their tour there). I/my fellow 1st-tours will have twice that within 4 months of being on-hull. With all of that said, you can expect an off-hull period where you sit in an office and not worry about duty/anything ship related maintenance or issues for 6 months.

 

[scoolbubba]

 

[bert]

It isn't fair to only show him the good times.

 

[Flash]

It isn't fair to only show him the good times.

There are a few bad times too, like the backstabbing and the resultant retaliation.

 

[Christopher Phillips]

Independently Deployed BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) Destroyer here, In 5 years we did 3 deployments. two-10 months and one 11 months. A ton of underways and a ton of Captains (fired) as I was leaving they went to dry dock.... Pick a BMD ship if you hate land; however DO NOT pick USS The Sullivans'. Loved the crew and the ship, was not a big fan of the bad luck.

 

[azguy]

Independently Deployed BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) Destroyer here, In 5 years we did 3 deployments. two-10 months and one 11 months. A ton of underways and a ton of Captains (fired) as I was leaving they went to dry dock.... Pick a BMD ship if you hate land; however DO NOT pick USS The Sullivans'. Loved the crew and the ship, was not a big fan of the bad luck.

So to be fair - this OPTEMPO is way, way, way, beyond the norm. And yes, THE SULLIVANS has had a lot of "bad luck" but there's not much you can do to control that in this organization. My first ship was a dream; second ship was a nightmare in terms of "luck."