I think you just want your post count to go up...
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Carrier Commander
- Thread starter TANGO 1
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Path to become a CVN skipper....
First, you command your own squadron, and then if selected for the CVN pipeline, your butt gets sent to nuke power school. The skipper we had when I first got to the LINCOLN was a F-14 RIO, and then a rotorhead (who had been to Test Pilot School) took over the day before we started dropping bombs for Southern Watch. And then after that, the dropping didn't stop. The XO we had when I first got there was a Hornet driver, and the guy that relieved him was another Hornet driver. Once you finish nuke power school, you go to the CVN for your XO tour as a Commander. Typically, they are selected for Captain during that tour and put it on 4-6 months before they leave. Complete that tour and then you're off to command afloat (deep draft). From what I've seen, they tend to get the supply ships. If no problems with that tour (i.e. run aground, mishaps, etc), then off you go to command your own CVN. And contrary to popular belief, but just because you command a CVN successfully doesn't mean that you'll make Admiral. It's common, yes, but not necessarily. Piss off the wrong people during your tour and you'll stay a Captain and retire as such.
First, you command your own squadron, and then if selected for the CVN pipeline, your butt gets sent to nuke power school. The skipper we had when I first got to the LINCOLN was a F-14 RIO, and then a rotorhead (who had been to Test Pilot School) took over the day before we started dropping bombs for Southern Watch. And then after that, the dropping didn't stop. The XO we had when I first got there was a Hornet driver, and the guy that relieved him was another Hornet driver. Once you finish nuke power school, you go to the CVN for your XO tour as a Commander. Typically, they are selected for Captain during that tour and put it on 4-6 months before they leave. Complete that tour and then you're off to command afloat (deep draft). From what I've seen, they tend to get the supply ships. If no problems with that tour (i.e. run aground, mishaps, etc), then off you go to command your own CVN. And contrary to popular belief, but just because you command a CVN successfully doesn't mean that you'll make Admiral. It's common, yes, but not necessarily. Piss off the wrong people during your tour and you'll stay a Captain and retire as such.
The CVN track involves a lot more than just Nuke power school. After completing the power school portion in Charleston, SC they are sent to Prototype (most going to Balston Spa, NY), then out to a carrier for a couple months to get certain quals, SWO PCO school (I think it is...learn to drive a ship school in Newport, RI), and finally to DC to Nuke reactors for for the final school. The entire CVN school track takes approximately 21mo. It's long and grueling. At least from a wives perspective. 
There is more that goes into the who makes Admiral equation then pissing people off. If they don't have a joint tour, didn't command a carrier at sea because it was in the yards, etc., chances are slim to none to put on a star. There are several in the Nuke pipeline now who don't have joint. They are trying to squeeze a 22mo joint tour in either between XO and deep draft or deep draft and CVN. Though going CVN gives one a much better chance at Adm than CAG does.
There is more that goes into the who makes Admiral equation then pissing people off. If they don't have a joint tour, didn't command a carrier at sea because it was in the yards, etc., chances are slim to none to put on a star. There are several in the Nuke pipeline now who don't have joint. They are trying to squeeze a 22mo joint tour in either between XO and deep draft or deep draft and CVN. Though going CVN gives one a much better chance at Adm than CAG does.
I wasn't trying to give the nuts and bolts of every stop that the prospective skipper is gonna make along his way to command the CVN, but rather at broad overview of the different "checks in the blocks" so to speak. To me, nuke power school and prototype are one in the same. It's a nuclear power program. And yes, it's PCO (Prospective Commanding Officer) school in Newport, RI. They do get a review of shipdriving skill there on the simulators, but it is more than just that.
My point about the CVN skipper not pissing people off was simply that it's not automatic. There's a huge misconception in the navy, from E-1 up through the O's that a CVN skipper is automatically a shoe-in for Admiral providing he doesn't screw something up.
My point about the CVN skipper not pissing people off was simply that it's not automatic. There's a huge misconception in the navy, from E-1 up through the O's that a CVN skipper is automatically a shoe-in for Admiral providing he doesn't screw something up.
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