PATFORSWA

2

2026CGA

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Nov 1, 2021
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Hi All. Does anyone know if PATFORSWA is a possible first billet after graduation?
 
I don't believe so. From what my cadet has told me, that is one of the special assignments that you would have to apply for after your first billet.
 
I am not sure, best to ask @Objee for academy billets. That being said, up until very recently I would have agreed with @ProudMom7 that what you are asking for would likely be a second or even third assignment. BUT, now that FRC's have replaced the WPB's, I would think that O-1 positions would be available on those cutters. The FRC's were specifically designed to accommodate and train entry level officers, (the old WPB's could not do this) and I would think that overseas billets would be a part of the O-1 selection process. I would guess that they only way there aren't O-1 billets on the overseas FRC's is if HQ decided to staff those cutters with only pre-qualified personnel, ie: Chief Petty Officers, and second tour O-2's and eliminate the O-1 billets on those ships because of the intensity of use and possible hostilities.
 
I don't recall any of the assigned PATFORSWA cutters being mentioned at Billet night last year.
I could be wrong.
 
Haveaniceday said:
I don't recall any of the assigned PATFORSWA cutters being mentioned at Billet night last year.
I could be wrong.
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Not sure that the PATFORSWA FRC's were in service in Bahrain this time last year. I seem to recall sometime last summer (2021), that the first ones were escorted across the pond by a 270. That would mean their crews were assigned as "pre-comm" details in 2021, and i really do not know if the Academy assigns new O-1's to Pre-Comm details. And the 110's were all decommissioned and transferred this year I believe. Again, I would contact the academy and simply ask. You appear to be Class of 2026, meaning you should be in New London. Shouldn't be too hard to ask someone, an instructor, an AO, a Firstie, someone there should have the inside scoop.

And you very may be right @Haveaniceday, the FRC stationed overseas may very well have a different billet structure than those INCONUS. I just am aware that the "usual" billet structure for an FRC includes I believe two O-1's on their first tour. Per the CG Acquisitions Directorate FAQ, the FRC's were originally designed with two Officers and 20 Enlisted, the Commandant then added two junior O-1's to train as boarding Officers and learn Navigational watch Duties. Beings how the Bahrain based FRC's have a totally different mission from the INCONUS FRC's, it would not be surprising if the two O-1's out of the Academy were replaced by either O-1's with Prior Service or Senior Enlisted ME's with Experience in L/E.
 
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In the last summer at CGA, I know lots of 1Cs get to train in Bahrain.
 
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