How Early Can Squids Get Command?

SamAca10

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Out of pure curiosity, what is the lowest rank that a Navy officer can CO a ship? For instance, in the Coast Guard a member could be the Commanding Officer of an 87' patrol boat as a LTJG.
 
Out of pure curiosity, what is the lowest rank that a Navy officer can CO a ship? For instance, in the Coast Guard a member could be the Commanding Officer of an 87' patrol boat as a LTJG.

For most US combatants, the commanding officer is a Commander (O-5). The same is true for squadron commanders which is the aviation equivalent of "command". Aircraft carrier skippers are usually Captains (O-6).
 
Why are we on a Navy forum responding to a first year CG cadet who comes on it and refers to Naval Officers as "squids"? Some things are best ignored.
 
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No offense Mongo but its just a term...no different than the Air Force being called Zoomies or the Coast Guard being referred to as Puddle Pirates. Sam, a 2nd year cadet, was just asking an honest question...I'm positive that he didn't mean to offend anyone. I actually think its good that we ask questions about other services, so we can better understand one another and not always have a rivalry of who does a bigger and better job...
 
It's insulting to have an airdale talk to surface folks. Mongo, stay in the clouds. I'll repeat, as a veteran of the Coast Guard, and a prior officer, so as not to offend Mongo's delicate typical squid nature.

What is the earliest a SQUID will get command of a Naval vessel? Not OINC, but CO.
 
No offense Mongo but its just a term...no different than the Air Force being called Zoomies or the Coast Guard being referred to as Puddle Pirates.

It actually is different. Squid, zoomie, etc... are terms widely used. "Coastie" would be the equivalent. I've never seen a fight start because someone is called a Squid or a Zoomie. I have seen fights started after a pretty little squid called a Coastie a "puddle pirate". We use it with each other, but it's far less acceptable when used by sailors who can't park their own boats.
 
Most "early command" tours are at the LCDR rank, though, I think a few might start out as senior LTs.

LCDR commands are for MCM and PC platforms.
DDG/LSD/FFG are CDR commands.
CG/LPD/LHA/LHD/CVN are CAPT commands.
 
Thanks Jadler, for answering his question. I've met a couple LCDRs on PCs. Seemed happy!
 
MONGO:

"BAM", "Lifer", "Zoomie", "Brown Shoes", "REMF", "Chair Force", "Straight Legs", "Squid", "Coastie" etc. might be service acronym's that cause some contention within or between the services. Have seen it. Some are OK in good humored banter and some cross the line. I think the escalation of the response in a mixed military social environment usually depends upon the BAL of the parties involved. He is "First Year" and young. He did ask a legitimate question.
 
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He is "First Year" and young.
Yep. Hopefully still impressionable enough to be trainable that there is a time and place for everything. And asking one's seniors for professional advice is not one of those times to use derogatory comments.
 
Didn't think the title of the post was derogatory but then again I was a "ZOOMIE" not a "SQUID".
 
Yep. Hopefully still impressionable enough to be trainable that there is a time and place for everything. And asking one's seniors for professional advice is not one of those times to use derogatory comments.

Don't want my fellow Coasties picking up any Squid habits, especially from their officers. And....you're not his "senior" you're just senior in rank. Your reaction is typical, however, of the attitude of many Squids. Perhaps that's why it does hold water for many "puddle pirates."
 
The USN generally has large ships and thus command at sea tends to come a bit later -- typically at the CDR or CAPT level as stated above. You wouldn't want a LTJG running an aircraft carrier.:smile:

Also, there is a difference between commanding a ship and having leadership opportunities. Most JOs are responsible for a division, company, detachment, or other small unit. Those positions allow JOs to develop and enhance their leadership skills while having more senior officers on whom to rely for advice and mentoring. Even unrestricted line and staff officers will often run small units as JOs. And, while they'll not command at sea, they can command shore units.

Finally, let's treat all of our services and service members with respect. The terms "mids" and "cadets" are preferable to "nicknames," which some may view as derogatory.
 
Darn proud to be a ring knocking, brown shoe, trash hauling squid :thumb: (I'm not insulted by the term and I'm proud to be the parent of two Coasties!)
 
usna1985:

Just like an adult moderator in High School. Taking all the fun out of the discussion.:thumb: Forgot the "Trash Hauling" sorry that I omitted that.
 
Yep. Hopefully still impressionable enough to be trainable that there is a time and place for everything. And asking one's seniors for professional advice is not one of those times to use derogatory comments.

Last time I checked I was wearing red shields, which means that I'm in my 2nd year at the Academy, thank you very much. In case you didn't notice by my avatar I'm in the GREAT Class of 2014.

I don't think the term 'squid' is derogatory at all. It's been used informally all over these forums and no one has complained.

Thank you all so much for your responses. I've learned a lot from them!

:cool:
 
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