Since someone asked...
Q: How fast can you finish your quals?
A: Depends on your local command's instruction. I've heard of 6 weeks, but personally seen someone do it in about 8 weeks. If you're properly motivated and don't get distracted, the hold-up will be getting other qualified officers to sit your boards. This is assuming that you are using the 91-day pot of special funding. It's sole purpose is to give you time at a NIOC (with a program), and no collateral duties (such as watchstanding/CDO, etc.) are to be imposed on you during this time. Just so we're on the same page, the designator is on a 36-month clock, while the pin is on a 60-month clock (applies only to reservists).
Q: How soon can you mobilize?
A: I've heard of others going on ADT orders within their first year, but this is not a mobilization in the truest sense. it's just taking short-term orders to fill a need (and possibly your own pockets). In practice you won't be allowed to mobilize while you are still IAP (in-assignment processing). This puts a special MAS code on your record that prevents you from being mobilized. Until you are at least designator qualified (ideally fully-qualified), you are really going to be in the way, and possibly even a professional detriment to mission and your own career. I almost got sent to a ship as a ride-along a while back before I got my pin. I would have been less useful than a baby SWO (cue them song...) Do your time, and learn what you're supposed to learn. You'll thank yourself later.
Q: What courses are required and how often are they offered?
A: All this is laid out in the Program Authorization (PA 108C), but for the sake of completeness...
ODS (5wks), IWBC/DIVOLC (4wks), CWOBC(6wks). Due to the DCOIC->ODS shift, I'm unsure whether the first AT will be earmarked in the same manner (technically, you'd have to use AT/E-AT/ADT combination to get five weeks, with minimum cost). Course availability is determined by at least two things (that I know about) - Funding availability, and the number of folks who sign up. Class can/will be canx'd due to low enrollment.
Q: What about AT, and AT in conjunction with ADT?
A: AT is a statutory requirement of 12-14 days of Annual Training, or active-duty days (doesn't have to be consecutive; don't expect paid travel in two chunks however). If member elects, and funding exists, AT can be exterequested (E-AT) out to a max of 29 days (21 days for officers). Beyond the 21 day mark, some other type of funding must be used (ADT-Special/Schools, ADSW). Typically, when executing your 91 days of CWO training, it will be 14 days AT, plus another 7 of E-AT, then ADT for the remaining 70, for a total of 91 days. Ultimately, how a requirement is funded depends on the gaining command, and any Community level instruction/OPNAVINST/NAVADMIN that may further restrict how money is spent. Look for gaining commands to choose funding methods that minimize impact on their own funding lines. Expect to see something along the lines of "ADT funds available; preference is given to members who have AT funds remaining..."
Q: Can I get multiple AT/ADT in an FY?
A: AT will only fund 12-14 days. After that anything you see/get will end up being E-AT or ADT. If your eyes are open, and your typing skills are lightning fast, you may be able to put your name on money that opens up randomly.
Q: How long are MOB/ADSW, and where are they located?
A: Mobilizations can be anywhere from 180 to 365 days, possibly longer. ADSW length is determined by the requirement owner. Locations are OPSEC sensitive, so won't get into the details here.
Q: How do the billets work
A: Upon inital accession, you'll be marked IAP. This is basically to keep you from getting mobilized, and it lets the community track who needs to finish their quals. The IWC doesn't have a "training" designator, so this is really how it's done. Once you've attained your pin, you can/should apply for a "hard" billet via JOApply.