Navy

Click the SWO pin to start your adventure….

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

What is Naval Aviation?

Naval Aviation is renowned for the demands it places upon its flyers. The skills and concentration required to land a high-performance jet on board an aircraft carrier deck pitching in the black of night, or to track a submarine while flying at only a few feet above stormy seas, are not only linked to a solid academic background or to top physical conditioning. There is more to it than that; it requires a combination of talents and dedication that many people possess, but few are challenged to use to full measure.

How do you get selected to be a Naval Aviator?

Graduates of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (Navy ROTC) are selected for flight training during their final year of school. All are volunteers.

What to expect for training as a Naval Aviator?

Student Naval Aviator’s (SNA’s) arrive at Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin their flight training.  They spend about six weeks in Aviation Preflight Indoctrination where they are challenged both academically and physically.  Classes include: engineering, aerodynamics, air navigation, aviation physiology and water survival.

Upon completion of API, SNA’s (also known as student pilots) are assigned to primary training squadrons. Primary SNA training is conducted at three bases: NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Enid, Oklahoma. For the SNAs reporting to the Navy bases, primary training is approximately 22 weeks. It includes ground-based academics, simulators and flight training in either the T-34 Turbomentor or the T-6A Texan II. Primary training consists of six stages: Familiarization (FAM), Basic Instruments, Precision Aerobatics, Formation, Night FAM, and Radio Instruments.

Pipeline selections occur upon completion of primary training. This is based on the current and projected needs of the services, the student’s performance and preferences. Student naval aviators are selected for: Maritime (multi-engine prop), E-2/C-2, Rotary (helos) or Strike (jets).

Maritime students complete their advanced training at NAS Corpus Christi and upon receiving their Wings of Gold, Navy pilots report to the P-3 Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) while Marine pilots report to the C-130 FRS.

E-2/C-2 student training consist of multi-engine training as well as carrier landing qualification training. After primary training, students report to VT-31 at NAS Corpus Christi to complete 44 hours of flight training in approximately 17 weeks in the T-44. After intermediate training, E-2/C-2 students report to NAS Kingsville for advanced training in the T-45. Students earn their wings in approximately 27 weeks after receiving their carrier landing qualification.

Student pilots selected for helicopter training report to NAS Whiting Field and complete advanced training in the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Students learn the unique characteristics and tactics of rotary-wing aviation. They are also introduced to shipboard landing on the Helicopter Landing Trainer; the Navy’s only ship dedicated to teaching helicopter pilots how to land onboard a moving vessel. Once they receive their Wings of Gold, Navy helicopter pilots report to their respective FRS for SH-60 or MH-53 training. Marine helicopter pilots report to an AH-1, UH-1, CH-46 or H-53 FRS for training.  MV-22 (Osprey) training is currently being conducted utilizing both the helicopter and maritime pipelines.

SNAs who enter the Strike (Jet) pipeline complete their training at either NAS Kingsville, Texas or at NAS Meridian, Mississippi in the T-45C. During Strike training, pilots learn strike tactics, weapons delivery, air combat maneuvering and receive their carrier landing qualification. Upon receiving their Wings of Gold, Strike pilots report to an F/A-18 or EA-6B FRS, and eventually report to their first Fleet squadron.

What is a Naval Flight Officer?

Naval Flight Officers (NFO’s) are the men and women who operate the advance systems onboard naval aircraft, and some may also act as the overall tactical coordinators of multiple air assets during a mission.  They differ from Naval Aviators in that they do not pilot the aircraft in which they serve.  This division of labor between Aviators and NFO’s allows for each to concentrate more closely on mission tasks that require specific occupational training.  NFO’s are integral members of the Naval Aviation community and are just as competitive as Naval Aviators for command of aircraft squadrons, air wings, and even aircraft carriers.

How do you get selected to be a Naval Flight Officer?

Graduates of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (Navy ROTC) are selected for flight training during their final year of school. All are volunteers.  

What to expect for training as a Naval Flight Officer?

Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFO’s) arrive at Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin their flight training.  They spend about six weeks in Aviation Preflight Indoctrination where they are challenged both academically and physically.  Classes include: engineering, aerodynamics, air navigation, aviation physiology and water survival.;

Upon completion of API, all SNFO’s report to either VT-4 or VT-10 located at Sherman Field aboard NAS Pensacola for Primary NFO/Navigator training.  Here they will spend the next 15 weeks in academic, simulator and flight training using the T-6 II Texan.  This portion of training is similar to the student pilot syllabus for learning the basics of flight, the landing pattern, navigation and aerobatics.

Pipeline and aircraft selections are made at various phases of training.  SNFO’s selected after primary for the maritime mission will transfer to NAS Jacksonville, Florida for follow-on training in the P-3 Orion or the EP-3 Aries.  A few SNFO’s will be selected for follow-on E-6 (Strategic Communications) training at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.   SNFO’s selected for the tactical jet syllabus will remain in their respective squadron for intermediate training.  This consists of more time in the T-6 II Texan aircraft as well as further training in the T-1 Jayhawk.  Upon completion of the Intermediate phase of training, SNFO’s either select the E-2C Hawkeye with follow-on training in Norfolk, Virginia or continue their training with VT-86 in Pensacola.

In the advanced training syllabus at VT-86, SNFO’s fly the T-39 Sabreliner and the T-45 Goshawk.  Students will either proceed down the Strike pipeline ultimately receiving their Wings of Gold as Electronic Countermeasures Officers (ECMO) for the EA-6B Prowler or proceed down the Strike/Fighter pipeline for selection as Weapons Systems Officers for the F/A-18F Super Hornet.

The Navy’s oldest warfare community is submarines. The pin was established in 1923 and authorized in 1924. Aviation wings were authorized in the late 20’s and Surface Warfare pins in the early 70’s.
 

Torpedo Room
Wardroom
Periscope Room
Control Room
Crew's Mess

How do you become a Submarine Warfare Officer?

Midshipmen who select Submarine Warfare can look forward to a challenging career as a member of an elite, technically advanced, multi-mission community. Newly commissioned Ensigns will find themselves serving on board the most capable submarines in the world today.

Upon commissioning every Ensign selected for Submarine Warfare will attend one year of advanced nuclear power training, starting with six months of classroom training at Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, S.C. After NPS, you will have six months of practical, hands-on training at one of the Navy's two shore-based reactor training facilities (Nuclear Power Training Units - NPTU) in upstate New York or Charleston, South Carolina.

Upon completion of Nuclear Power School and NPTU, you will be assigned to a submarine. Prior to reporting to your first submarine, you will attend a 12-week Submarine Officer Basic Course in New London, Connecticut. This period of instruction will provide you an opportunity to learn the theory and principles of submarine operation and control, the basic administrative responsibilities of a division officer, the theory of the submerged fire control problem and weapons systems, and the basic fundamentals of submarine operations and tactics.

Upon arriving at your first submarine, you will be assigned as a division officer. In addition to managing a group of highly trained enlisted submariners you will begin your own personal submarine qualification program. The culmination of your qualification is the awarding of the coveted Gold Dolphins and your designation as "Qualified in Submarines". This is the first of many rewarding career milestones, which await you in the Silent Service.

What is the history of the Submarine Community?

The Submarine community is full of history and tradition as well as a strong commitment to the defense of the country and the support of its commitments around the world. The United States Submarine Force, an acknowledged symbol of military excellence, is poised to enter its second century of undersea dominance with the most highly trained people and advanced platforms in its history. Nuclear submarines, the product of American ingenuity and technological prowess, are a unique asset whose unprecedented contribution to deterrence, conflict prevention and warfighting will continue to be at the very foundation of our nation's security.
 

TORPEDO ROOM

WARDROOM

PERISCOPE ROOM

CONTROL ROOM

CREW'S MESS

What is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer?

The newly commissioned officer from the Navy ROTC program will complete the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)/Diver course at Naval Diving and Salvage Center, Panama City, FL and progress directly to EOD training at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD), Eglin AFB. Graduates will then be assigned as Division Officers at EOD Mobile Units where they will be immersed in the community's core warfighting competencies of EOD, Anti terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP), Expeditionary Diving and Salvage and Underwater Mine Countermeasures. During this initial tour, officers will complete a rigorous qualification process involving a variety of Personnel Qualification Standards and advanced EOD, diving and mobility training requirements before earning warfare qualification. Officers who successfully meet warfare qualification standards will be redesignated 1140 and become eligible for assignment as Officer In Charge (OIC) of EOD Mobile Detachments. Post-Mobile Det OIC assignments include Operations officers at EOD Mobile Units and Mobile Dive and Salvage Units, EOD shore Det OICs, Carrier Support Group staffs, Expeditionary Support Group staffs and Mine Countermeasure squadron staffs. Additionally, officers have opportunity to pursue Graduate Education through a variety of programs at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, the Naval War College and other service colleges.
 

EOD Training is a 10-month course that is both physically and mentally demanding. It is a joint-service command consisting of members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. Oversight and management is the responsibility of the Department of the Navy. The mission is to train officers and enlisted personnel in the best methods of detection, identification, render safe, and disposal of explosive ordnance and related devices. This includes all known foreign ordnance, chemical weapons, biological weapons, nuclear weapons, clandestine improvised devices and any and all ordnance/devices which may be encountered under water (Navy students only). NAVSCOLEOD is a tenant command at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.