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- Thread starter KMC1020
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Great story!
exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
There is more to it, but I am sick not feeling like typing a lot
Jetnerd1123
Well-Known Member
I know VBSS opportunities are limited by the needs of the ship, however, on average, what are the chances of being able to go to VBSS training while as an Ensign? If there is a chance and you don't go as an Ensign, any chances you can go as an LTJG or an LT?
Also, what are the VBSS opportunities on an LPD?
And the way the bottomline seems, try for DDG, FFG, or an LPD (depending on command) for a good experience.
Also, what are the VBSS opportunities on an LPD?
And the way the bottomline seems, try for DDG, FFG, or an LPD (depending on command) for a good experience.
I'm on a LCS for my first tour. From the time I've spent with the program*, here's my list of pros/cons.
Pros:
1) Short deployments. For someone to get used to the idea of being on a ship for being an extended period of time, the 4-6 month deployment part of the cycle is a farcry from the 7-9 months (10 or 11 at times, yes I know...) other ships are seeing.
2) 3 Ensigns. This gives ample opportunities to learn material and stand U/I watches for the pin; You can't hide either. Not that it matters how long it takes to get the pin before the deadline, but the word is 9-12 months once someone is a part of the crew. Because of the crew size, all the ensigns will be taking part in all the major evolutions.
3) Training to Qualify. Before arriving, you become qualified in things like basic DC and JOOD before arriving. The goal here is to arrive, ready to stand some watches. If done right, the downtime between schools can be used to earn bigger PQS, like OOD In-Port, and getting to know the crew.
4) A mostly senior crew. For an ensign to have so many senior folks from different backgrounds in one spot, it can yield a lot of information and possibilities to learn. The mission module detachment are mostly senior folks as well, and everyone is more than happy to help the Ensigns learn.
6) More port visit opportunities.
7) You're always busy and always doing something. The small crew size makes learning time management fast and efficient.
Cons:
1) Training to Qualify. This is also one of the biggest downsides for an Ensign doing LCS for their first tour. I've been on my ship, been with my crew, but have not been able to participate in the On-Hull underways. I graduated OCS in February, did an Engineering School in Newport in March, did BDOC April-June and started the LCS T2Q the following Monday. I won't report to my crew until January, however that is when the clock for earning my pin will start.
2) Off-hull period. This is 4-6 months where it's just admin/various trainings. You're not on the ship, you're in an office building. However, going TAD on other crew is common in this time period to help Ensigns. I've seen the Ensigns on Pre-Com crews do this.
3) People not knowing what to do with you. Most of the Senior enlisted on a LCS hasn't had an Ensign DIVO in years, so there is an adjustment for them and their interactions with you. They're not used to having an unpinned Ensign, so a big part of the interaction is asking questions.
4) Short deployments. Not a lot of deployment time, but the on-hull underways add to the time at sea. It's not as much sea-time as your Amphib or Crudes counterparts though, which can be a disadvantage.
5) Older wardroom/crew. For a young Ensign, it can feel a little alienating at times in the wardroom when there's one person who could relate to you at your stage of life (just graduated, single/recently married, etc).
6) It's not traditional Navy. The Navy is changing fast, but I still feel this is more of a Con than a Pro. We're learning a lot that will have to be re-learned later when we go to other ships.
7) Constant changes. As we learn more about the LCS capabilities and limitations, the instructions changes constantly. The good to this is even Ensigns are directly influencing those instructions as we become more integrated into the program and work as 1st tour DIVO's.
This has been my observations thus far and I've been fortunate regarding my crew. Every Ensign I've talked to loves the LCS, but there is a reason it's called it "Lets Change Something".
*Full Disclosure: I'm still working my way through the Training to Qualify part of the program.
ClassyGent23
Well-Known Member
Thanks a bunch! Would you mind clarifying a couple of things?
-How many Ensigns do you normally see on a DDG? Or an LPD?
-How much of an effect does AEGIS have in fulling quals and being readily prepared as a JO? Does LPD have it?
-Do sailors get extra pay for "time at sea?" Or is it just extra pay for deployment?
Sorry, I am trying to learn as much as I can about this stuff because as much as I may want a particular ship, I also want to be prepared with what choices I may or may not have at OCS.
Amphibs don't have Aegis. Aegis impact to qual can range from actually having to get extra qual's to not much more than knowing some general knowledge about something your ship has that others have. But an amphibious guy will get quizzed on running landing ops so it's not a one sided deal.
Sea pay is calculated as how much time you have assigned to a sea going command like a ship. You should collect sea pay the entire time you are assigned to a ship underway or not. Staffs do not collect sea pay iirc until they actually go to sea.
Yes, maybe, NO!
-DDGs have 20-25 ENS depending on where the ship is in its life cycle. I have no idea about LPDs.
-LPDs definitely don't have AEGIS. LPD-17 class has a pretty sexy self defense system but nothing in the neighborhood of AEGIS.
-As an ENS, you get $100/month I think for sea pay. Beer money... On deployment, depending on where you go, the "extra pay" can be significant. You may qualify for hazardous duty pay, imminent danger pay, and/or tax free.
Voodoo - this is a great post, lots of good insight in here for the new guys. Keep us posted as you progress through the pipeline and get to your ship. LCS has a negative stigma and it's not without its flaws, but those who outright dismiss it simply don't what it is capable of and how it fills in some gaps that exist in the surface force.
The people above me answered these questions well. The unfortunate part about OCS ship selection is that it can be incredibly diverse or homogeneous as each class progresses.
Glad you liked it; I'll keep people posted. The concept of having Ensigns aboard is still new to the program, so they're working out the kinks. Hopefully as things progress and as the Ensigns earn our pins, we can help dispel some of the misconceptions (or possibly confirm some of them) of it being terrible for a 1st tour. The LCS is capable of a lot and we're learning more about it every day.
ClassyGent23
Well-Known Member
So I take it you don't like LPD?
ClassyGent23
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone for the clarifications!
If the day comes in my career that I have to fight and kill an enemy at sea, I definitely don't want to do it on an LPD.
Jetnerd1123
Well-Known Member
Thank you all for your valuable insight! It's nice to have more information when weighing the options. Ship selection is limited to the needs of the Navy, but it's always awesome to be more informed.
I'll echo everything said about the Smallboy Life. You have a smaller crew, but you get exposed to more and you'll get your hands dirty more often. Also, you'll pull into better ports and if you're BMD or an independent deployer you won't have to compete with the carrier and her battle group for room pierside.
Amongst my friends, those on Gator qualified faster. There was less for them to know (Diesel plants are simpler than gas turbines and there're fewer Combat Systems to learn) and the climate was more laid back. On the flipside, they were routinely deployed for 9-11 months, but they also had staterooms their entire tour.
Really, it's up to you. My opinion is you should focus on your pin as a priority during your first tour. Go somewhere where you'll be underway a lot and will have plenty of exposure to everything you need in order to qualify; so stay away from LHD/LHAs and MCMs. I can't speak about the LCS, but I have no desire to go to one. Also, don't worry about your job or any other collateral assignments. VBSS and other cool stuff is a matter of timing and you'll probably be stuck in engineering first, so don' sweat it. It actually easier to get on a VBSS team as a second-tour Divo (Go be an FPO and you're pretty much guaranteed).
After choosing your hull, the next major decision is homeport. Again, some places are busier than others. In Rota and Japan, you'll be underway a LOT. Anywhere CONUS and you roll the dice based on ship's schedule. Stay away from Norfolk, but Little Creek ain't bad. There isn't much up in Bremerton and I've heard it's not the best place to be stationed unless you like Seattle. I'm a huge fan of Mayport, but then again I joined the Mafia down there early on. Whatever you do, don't go to Bahrain.
Finally, when you finally make it to your second tour, I highly recommend the PC community. We're fast, we're small, we shoot guns, and we have cool missions. As WEPS, you're guaranteed VBSS and ATO, and you'll be the SUPPO, so you can finally order all that cool gear you always wanted. As OPS you'll be busy but you'll also get to do all that high-level scheduling and operational planning everyone talks about. Don't worry about being CHENG, though, that's a job for LDOs and Warrants.
TLDR: Go to Rota on a DDG for your first tour and enjoy that sweet, sweet OHA and soak up those rays of Mediterranean sunshine.
Amongst my friends, those on Gator qualified faster. There was less for them to know (Diesel plants are simpler than gas turbines and there're fewer Combat Systems to learn) and the climate was more laid back. On the flipside, they were routinely deployed for 9-11 months, but they also had staterooms their entire tour.
Really, it's up to you. My opinion is you should focus on your pin as a priority during your first tour. Go somewhere where you'll be underway a lot and will have plenty of exposure to everything you need in order to qualify; so stay away from LHD/LHAs and MCMs. I can't speak about the LCS, but I have no desire to go to one. Also, don't worry about your job or any other collateral assignments. VBSS and other cool stuff is a matter of timing and you'll probably be stuck in engineering first, so don' sweat it. It actually easier to get on a VBSS team as a second-tour Divo (Go be an FPO and you're pretty much guaranteed).
After choosing your hull, the next major decision is homeport. Again, some places are busier than others. In Rota and Japan, you'll be underway a LOT. Anywhere CONUS and you roll the dice based on ship's schedule. Stay away from Norfolk, but Little Creek ain't bad. There isn't much up in Bremerton and I've heard it's not the best place to be stationed unless you like Seattle. I'm a huge fan of Mayport, but then again I joined the Mafia down there early on. Whatever you do, don't go to Bahrain.
Finally, when you finally make it to your second tour, I highly recommend the PC community. We're fast, we're small, we shoot guns, and we have cool missions. As WEPS, you're guaranteed VBSS and ATO, and you'll be the SUPPO, so you can finally order all that cool gear you always wanted. As OPS you'll be busy but you'll also get to do all that high-level scheduling and operational planning everyone talks about. Don't worry about being CHENG, though, that's a job for LDOs and Warrants.
TLDR: Go to Rota on a DDG for your first tour and enjoy that sweet, sweet OHA and soak up those rays of Mediterranean sunshine.