No, they just won’t be doing it on amphibs.
The CNO memo lists platforms where 13XX’s will go for deep draft command like ESBs and LCCs (just to name two).
I'm taking it from what the article said.
"Caudle’s memo said that as part of the ongoing assessment, the Navy is revaluating the deep draft requirement for carrier commanders.
The service will “determine the most effective method to develop command-at-sea competency and proficiency for aviators selected for the nuclear power pipeline in order to reduce or eliminate the requirement for a separate deep draft command tour,” reads the memo."
It also notes that "Excluding aircraft carriers, that’s a total of eight in commission ships that aviators can command — two submarine tenders, two command ships and five ESBs. However, the Navy has laid up two of the five ESB due to the ongoing manning challenges of U.S. Military Sealift Command."
I recognize that I'm way out of my element here (hence why I'm getting info from an article) but 8 ships available to complete the prereqs for CVN command, of which 2 are laid up, for 11 CVNs doesn't seem feasible without playing games on tour lengths. And it leaves little to no room for attrition.
I'm also interested that rather than say, "we're adding SWOs to the list for command of small decks" and perhaps doing something like ensuring the Skipper and the XO are either an Aviator or a SWO but both aren't the same at the same time, they just nixed aviators from eligibility.