USNA SWO Ship Selection 1.26.17 @ 6PM

Can someone explain to an "old timer" what "SWO option" means. And why are some placards red and some green in the SWO option?
 
I didn't watch this year, but if I remember right from last year there are two selections. First were the SWOs. The next group were SWO Option with another option attached; EDO, IWC, etc. I believe the ones with color last year were reserved for the last group. There is also now the blue chip option. When Mids do their 1/C summer cruise a CO can Blue Chip a Mid they want back to their ship as an Ensign. Not sure how they break down how many of the blue chips a CO gets and all the details. A buddy of mine is a detailer, will add it to our next conversation.
 
Sponsor mom here. One of our mids just made his selection. A few others I would like to follow. Any idea if the list gets posted or is it just too bad we missed it during the livestream?
 
I understand EDO but what is IWC? And how are those folks "broken out" from the others? IOW, how do they end up here vs. "regular SWO?" is this something they put down as their "warfare specialty?" And I saw one person in that group who picked a white placard. It's all very confusing to me at least -- sure it's clear as day to the mids.

And last year, the "tape" of SWO night was available for awhile. I think it was on FB or maybe the usna.edu website.
 
IWC - Information Warfare Community
Last year there seemed to be a lot more interaction with the staff and others that were previously on the ship that was selected, and also some interviews with the midshipmen.
 
I emailed a buddy who was there last night. Blue ones were for those Blue Chipped and reserved for those who had already been notified of this. Red and green were for those with EDO or IWC options. They couldn't remember which one went to which.
 
Milpersman article on SWO Options:

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-n...000/1200Classification/Documents/1212-050.pdf

IDC has been renamed to IWC, and Information Warfare has been renamed to Cryptologic Warfare. What's old is new again.

The video should still be available via the link. Not sure how long it's available. In the world we are in today, you have to balance social media and privacy. I hope they don't post the list.

Hoops: I believe Red is for Engineering (fire)!
 
Thanks much...on my screen it appeared like there were royal blue ones for sure and the much darker ones appeared black but that's probably a function of my aging eyesight.
 
On the note of the Blue Chips: a few did not stick with the ship and picked a different one. Bad experience on that ship? :scratch: Probably at least not the greatest?!
 
ktnatalk said:
On the note of the Blue Chips: a few did not stick with the ship and picked a different one. Bad experience on that ship? :scratch: Probably at least not the greatest?!
Click to expand...

Or a Lovelife Person of Interest picked another homeport or a host of reasons that make sense in the moment.
 
Capt MJ said:
Or a Lovelife Person of Interest picked another homeport or a host of reasons that make sense in the moment.
Click to expand...

Very true, CAPT!
There were a few occasions the firstie behind literally pick the same ship in the same homeport as well... :D
 
As expected, ships homeported in Rota Spain went quick - all six choices were gone by the 7th pick!
Last year, Rota was still on the board like past 15 picks!
 
ktnatalk said:
As expected, ships homeported in Rota Spain went quick - all six choices were gone by the 7th pick!
Last year, Rota was still on the board like past 15 picks!
Click to expand...

It would be kind of cool if the mids approached it like teams approach a draft, with an established pecking order going in that has to be adjusted as names come off the board. Buddies on the sidelines keeping track and offering advice. What would be really interesting would be if there were some way for kids to trade for a higher slot. I could also see that going very badly, though, particularly since there is no real established currency with which to trade.
 
It does sound cool, but it won't work and it shouldn't work that way. The order is based on their ranking order. Also, it is already caving to social media to have such a "show" broadcasted via the internet. It's cool to watch, but it would be as effective if it was done behind closed doors. Don't take me wrong: VADM Rowden made it so cool to be a SWO...did you watch the video in the beginning? Wow! Just wow!!!
 
Trust me the Mids have a list in their hands or on their phone of order choice. They detail it out and start marking them off. The guys towards the end usually are sort of throwing a dart and picking what type of ship they want in Norfolk. The USNA staff works with them on the differences in ships, career paths, deployment schedules, etc. Mids are balancing career options on different ships with their desire to be in Hawaii. Cruisers and destroyers tend have different personalities than amphibs. Do I follow the boyfriend/girlfriend of 6 months or pick the ship I really want? I am from Cali do I take whatever ship is left there? I am getting married in Dec, I can't be on deployment, so what ship will be back by then or slated for after? All things Mids consider in this process. There is a method to the madness. It's one of the few times they truly have the power in selecting. From here on out it gets less in your control. Those who didn't pick their blue chip I am guessing are because of significant others or port location, with not liking that ship being very low on the list.
 
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