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.