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The article at this link will answer many questions raised in this thread:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/us/20eye.html
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/us/20eye.html
The article at this link will answer many questions raised in this thread:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/us/20eye.html
I've always been curious about how deployment works. is it like 7 months on, 3 months and (if it is) are those 3 months off still credited to your service? Also, what about different selections? Does the swo officer have the same deployment schedules as say the submarine officer? always been curious how this isn't ever really discussed at any q and a's
Agree with 85. The one exception would be sub draft. Some people could of had it last or very low on the list and gotten sub drafted. I believe I heard there was a 'draft' this year, but not sure on number.
If you really want to be a Marine and can't accept the possibility of being a Nuke SWO, don't sign 2 for 7.
Or pull a few Cs in Physics and Calculus and maybe they won't even consider you for the draft.
But that's life isn't it? You don't always get what you want. But you will end up where you belong if you do what's right and keep working hard.Here's a paradox for those seeking any highly selective community like EOD, SEAL, or MedCorps - where they only take a very few ... the harder you work toward that goal - and it's lots of hard work - the less you can imagine doing something else. You don't work hard toward being a Navy SEAL, for instance, then shrug your shoulders and say, "Oh well, I'll guess I'll wear a pair of binoculars as the OOD on a destroyer."
The difference between a 1st and 2nd choice can be dramatic. It's not as if you ordered a coffee and got a hot chocolate instead. It's more like getting a pastrami sandwich. Let's say your 1st choice is Navy Pilot and you have dreams of slipping the surly bonds of earth on laughter-silvered wings in your Super Hornet. Would getting your 2nd choice, involving squeezing your way through the narrow passageways of a nuclear submarine, while lumbering slowly, silently and darkly at 100 feet beneath the ocean's surface be just as satisfying? Could there possibly be a starker difference? Telling that unfortunate midshipman, "Well, at least you got your 2nd choice" provides no consolation. Who orders coffee and says, "Well, if you're out of coffee, I'll take a pastrami sandwich instead"?
Here's a paradox for those seeking any highly selective community like EOD, SEAL, or MedCorps - where they only take a very few ... the harder you work toward that goal - and it's lots of hard work - the less you can imagine doing something else. You don't work hard toward being a Navy SEAL, for instance, then shrug your shoulders and say, "Oh well, I'll guess I'll wear a pair of binoculars as the OOD on a destroyer."
The difference between a 1st and 2nd choice can be dramatic. It's not as if you ordered a coffee and got a hot chocolate instead. It's more like getting a pastrami sandwich. Let's say your 1st choice is Navy Pilot and you have dreams of slipping the surly bonds of earth on laughter-silvered wings in your Super Hornet. Would getting your 2nd choice, involving squeezing your way through the narrow passageways of a nuclear submarine, while lumbering slowly, silently and darkly at 100 feet beneath the ocean's surface be just as satisfying? Could there possibly be a starker difference? Telling that unfortunate midshipman, "Well, at least you got your 2nd choice" provides no consolation. Who orders coffee and says, "Well, if you're out of coffee, I'll take a pastrami sandwich instead"?
My personal opinion is that there should be some benefit (an advantage) to attending the United States Naval Academy instead of going to OCS or NROTC. The Naval Academy is the premiere officer training program and has, by far, the most intense preparation compared to any of the other commissioning programs. It is also the most difficult commissioning program to gain acceptance. I think there should be some flexibility in these "quotas" for the Naval Academy midshipmen. If they come up four short for subs, get them from another program! Don't force an unenthused midshipman down a path that he has had more than ample opportunity during a 4-year course to determine that that is not what he/she wants to do. I certainly don't want anybody working on a nuclear reactor who had his heart set on being a Marine or being a Naval Aviator. If they have ten too many for the pilot quota, let them fly! Surely they can shave 10 pilots slots away from the countless NROTC programs distributed throughout the country. It would be practically transparent.
In short, I think there should be some perks for Naval Academy midshipmen. If they're qualified for the community of their choice, let them pursue their dream. My guess is that you will see retention be higher further down the road. And that saves money!
The sub quota shouldn't be a hard number like 130. It should be more like 130-ish. Maybe plus or minus 10 ... 120-140. A window!
In my best Oprah Winfrey voice.... "YOU get to be a pilot! YOU get to be a pilot! EVERYBODY gets to be pilots!!!"