What platform is considered the hardest or most career enhancing? I am guessing probably subs, but wasn't sure. It seems like there are a lot of supply corps guys on a carrier.
Next question is, where would I go to see a list of possible places to be stationed as a supply corps officer? Mainly looking for the shore billets, since I can figure out the sea billets already.
If you go carriers, can you get your air supply pin and swo supply pin all in one tour and is that common?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Carriers are the most career enhancing first tour in supply, period. You have an O-6 SUPPO to get you a sweet 2nd tour, you will get two warfare pins and all while not standing any major watches or collaterals. You will have 12 other chops to work with so you have constant experience. You may even get a Master Chief to run your division and operations. Best of all, your FITREP holds up the same as a first tour DDG/CG/FFG chop doing a Principle Assistant tour, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Sub Supply is very challenging, but you are the department head, not a DIVO, which gets you some benefits. You'll have a full department under you and the Sub community is a unique group and experience. You also get a shot at getting all three pins if you do a carrier later! I have thought about doing a boomer tour as an O-3 just to experience it. Be warned, you may have to get fully sub qual'd, including
Diving Officer of the Watch.
The worst has to be small boys. Alot of the Supply School's brightest JOs go to these as Principle Assistant to SUPPO, an O-3. You have to actually rank well enough in Supply School to even be considered due to the challenge. Many go because they don't want subs but do want to be challenged. In a nutshell, bare bones manning on small boys means you end up learning your guys' ratings, from working parties, records/paperwork, hell I've seen Supply JOs learn to cut hair and do laundry (I had to many times). The only chops are SUPPO and you, and if SUPPO doesn't know and you are deployed, you are out of luck at times and have to tread lightly to protect your accountability (This is where being bright in Supply School saves your ass). No Chief. And the warfare pin? Depends on your CO, but don't be surprised if you have to stand bridge watch or even OOD underway. I've stood Conn, CICWO, Helm Safety, Flying Squad Locker Officer, and of course Helicopter Control Officer. I had fun doing HCO and I still do, but it depends on the CO. I've had a CO make the watch hell.
So.... you will wear many many accountable hats (Postal Officer, Disbo, sales, etc), have alot of responsibility, little manning, maybe no senior enlisted help and little return (1 ubiquitous pin vs. 2 on a carrier or 1 unique one on a sub). And if anything happens to SUPPO (from holiday stand down, family emergency or sick day) you assume the role as department head, signing thousands of dollars in CASREPs, following up on half million dollar fund requests, handling departmental issues and briefing the Skipper. Honestly, I love playing SUPPO when he is away. The longer the better.
Your call.
As far as shore billets, good news. Supply has a shore billet pretty much everywhere there are sailors (and even places there aren't any). The trouble is you have to pick what's available. If you have an open mind, there is no issue here.