NROTC Preparatory Program

NROTC header logo

SURFACE  WARFARE  OFFICERS

 

SWO

 

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

 

What is Surface Warfare?      Go to TAB  "SWO-3"

 

Who are Surface Warfare Officers?      Go to TAB  "SWO-42"

 

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?      Go to TAB  "SWO-30"

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Surface Fleet is the backbone of America’s Navy.
For 240 years the men and women of the Surface Navy have been homeported and deployed around the globe.
Today’s Surface Fleet conducts a wide variety of missions across nine different ship classes.

 

THE SHIPS

Go to TAB  "SWO-4"

The Ships

THE MISSIONS

Go to TAB  "SWO-17"

The Missions

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

 

CRUISERS (CG) / DESTROYERS (DDG)

Go to TAB  "SWO-5"

Cruisers and Destroyers


LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP (LCS)

Go to TAB  "SWO-16"

Littoral Combat Ship      

AMPHIBIOUS

Go to TAB  "SWO-8"

Amphibious


MINE COUNTERMEASURE & PATROL CRAFT

Go to TAB  "SWO-13"

Mine Countermeasure & Patrol Craft

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

 

 

CRUISERS (CG)

Go to TAB  "SWO-6"

Cruisers (CG)

DESTROYERS (DDG)

Go to TAB  "SWO-7"

Destroyers (DDG)

 

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

CRUISERS (CG)

 

Cruisers (CG)

 

Modern Navy Guided Missile Cruisers perform primarily in a battle force role. These ships are multi-mission, anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-submarine (ASW), strike (STK), Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) combatants capable of supporting carrier and expeditionary strike groups, amphibious forces, or operating independently.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

DESTROYERS (DDG)

 

Destroyers (DDG)

 

Guided Missile Destroyers are multi-mission, anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-submarine (ASW), strike (STK), Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) combatants capable of supporting carrier and expeditionary strike groups, amphibious forces, or operating independently.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

AMPHIBIOUS

 

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT (LHA/LHD)

Go to TAB  "SWO-9"

Amphibious Assault (LHA/LHD)


AMPHIBIOUS DOCK LANDING(LSD)

Go to TAB  "SWO-11"

Amphibious Dock Landing (LPD)

AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCK (LPD)

Go to TAB  "SWO-10"

Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD)


AMPHIBIOUS COMMAND (LCC)

Go to TAB  "SWO-12"

Amphibious command (LCC)

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT (LHA/LHD)

 

Amphibious Assault (LHA/LHD)

 

Operating as part of the modern Navy amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG). These ships use air cushion landing craft (LCAC), conventional landing craft and helicopters to move Marine assault forces ashore.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCK (LPD)

 

Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD)

 

Amphibious transport dock ships are used to transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. These ships are used to transport Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

AMPHIBIOUS DOCK LANDING (LSD)

 

Amphibious Dock Landing (LSD)

 

Dock landing ships support amphibious operations including landing via air, LCAC and conventional landing craft.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

AMPHIBIOUS COMMAND (LCC)

 

Amphibious Command (LCC)

 

Amphibious Command Ships provide command and control for Fleet Commanders.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

MINE COUNTERMEASURE & PATROL CRAFT

 

 

MINE COUNTERMEASURES SHIPS (MCM)

Go to TAB  "SWO-14"

Mine Countermeasures Ships (MCM)

COASTAL PATROL CRAFT (PC)

Go to TAB  "SWO-15"

Coastal Patrol Craft (PC)

 

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

MINE COUNTERMEASURES SHIPS (MCM)

 

Mine Countermeasures Ships (MCM)

 

Avenger Class ships are designed as mine hunter-killers capable of finding, classifying and destroying moored and bottom mines. These ships use SONAR and video systems, cable cutters and a mine detonating device that can be released and detonated by remote control. They are also capable of convential sweeping measures.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

COASTAL PATROL CRAFT (PC)

 

Coastal Patrol Craft (PC)

These ships provide the Navy with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to emergent requirements in a shallow water environment. The primary mission of these ships is coastal patrol, interdiction and surveillance.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Ships

LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP (LCS)

 

Littoral Combat Ship

Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

 

The Littoral Combat Ship is a fast craft designed to operate in hostile near-shore environments, yet is capable of open-ocean operations. LCS consists of two hull forms – Freedom Variant (left) and Independence Variant (right). Both have reconfigurable payloads for interchangeable mission packages.

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

 

BASIC

Go to TAB   "SWO-18"

Basic Missions

ADVANCED

Go to TAB   "SWO-22"

Advanced Missions

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Basics

 

Aviation       Go to TAB "SWO-19"

 

Damage Control       Go to TAB "SWO-20"

 

Seamanship       Go to TAB "SWO-21"

 

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Aviation

 

SWO - Aviation

 

Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft aboard surface ships provides a lethal punch in a wide array of missions from Search and Rescue to Anti-Submarine Warfare.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Damage Control

 

Damage Control

 

Damage Control is a basic and essential part of living, working and fighting at sea.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Seamanship

 

The Missions - Seamanship

Underway Replenishment, pierwork and small boat operations are the core of our mariner tradition.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Advanced 

Anti-Air Warfare

Go to TAB  "SWO-23"

 

Amphibious Warfare

Go to TAB  "SWO-24"

 

Ballistic Missile Defense

Go to TAB  "SWO-25"

Mine Warfare

Go to TAB  "SWO-27"

 

Anti-Submarine Warfare

Go to TAB  "SWO-28"

 

Anti-Surface Warfare

Go to TAB  "SWO-29"
 

Visit, Board, Search and Seizure

Go to TAB  "SWO-26"
SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Anti-Air Warfare

 

The Missions - Anti-Air Warfare

 

Aegis Cruisers and Destroyers conduct Anti-Air Warfare to defend themselves and the other high value assets like Aircraft Carriers and large deck Amphibious ships from attack by enemy missiles and aircraft.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Amphibious Warfare

 

The Missions - Amphibious Warfare

 

Amphibious Warfare conducted by “L Class” ships enables the United States to put Marines ashore anywhere in the world.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Ballistic Missile Defense

 

The Missions - Ballistic Missile Defense

 

Certain Cruisers and Destroyers have the capability to conduct Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. Allowing them to defend our allies and the US homeland from the threat of ballistic missile attack.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)

 

The Missions - Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)

 

Selected ships in the Navy have their own VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) team. They inspect ships for contraband, defend the seas against piracy and more.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Mine Warfare

 

The Missions - Mine Warfare

 

Conducted by Mine-Countermeasure ships (MCMs), mine warfare enables the US Navy to combat one of the world’s cheapest and most widely available threats to both Military and Commercial shipping – Naval Mines.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Anti-Submarine Warfare

 

The Missions - Anti-Submarine Warfare

 

Conducted primarily by Cruisers and Destroyers, Anti-Submarine Warfare is the detection, tracking and if required, destruction of enemy submarines.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

The Missions

Anti-Surface Warfare

 

The Missions - Anti-Surface Warfare

 

Anti-Surface Warfare is the detection, tracking and destruction of enemy surface vessels using Anti-ship missiles and guns.

 

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?

 

Where we live                 Where we work

Go to TAB  "SWO-31"                                  Go to TAB  "SWO-41"

 

 

 


SWO
 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

 

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?

 

Where we live

(Click the above link to view in new window)
SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Where we live

Yokosuka, Japan

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Sasebo, Japan

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Manama, Bahrain

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Rota, Spain

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Norfolk, Virginia     Little Creek, Virginia

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Mayport

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Everett

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

San Diego, California

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Where we live

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Where do Surface Warfare Officers Work/Live?
 

Where we work 


























SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Who are Surface Warfare Officers?

 

We are Surface Warfare. Hear our Story.

 

Fleet Profiles    Go to TAB  "SWO-43"

MIDN Spotlight    Go to TAB  "SWO-45"

 

SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is -

LCDR Robert Keller – Department Head

 

Being a SWO

“My service has broadened my perspective on life, coming from a rural town in Ohio to someone who has visited countless countries in only ten years!

Simply put, I love what I do! I get to lead and serve others, I am charged with solving complex problems daily, and every few years I am afforded the opportunity to tackle a new job.

I’ve met lifelong friends, have had mentors who have made me a better person, and my Sailors are the hardest-working people I’ve ever interacted with.”

 
SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is -

LTJG Marina Nanartowich – Division Officer

 

LTJG Marina Nanartowich

“I remember my first underway as a Surface Warfare Officer. Despite all the training I had received in school and leading up to getting underway, nothing quite prepared me for the way the decks came alive as we set sail.

In the days, and now years to follow, I am continually blown away by the impressive service and the amazing group of people of which I am able to be a part. The Navy has afforded me many amazing opportunities. I have travelled to places I never imagined going, driven warships in foreign waters, and been tested professionally in ways that have helped me become who I am today.

But above all, it’s the people. It is the bonds you make with people from all over the world and it’s the amazing Sailors who work so hard every day and exhibit unmatched patriotism. It is inspiring. I’m honored to serve.”

 
 
SWO

 

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

 

MIDI Spotlight

 

Go to TAB  "SWO-46"

SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Carolena Ruprecht – MIT NROTC

USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53)

 

MIDN Carolena Ruprecht

MIDN Ruprecht hails from Aberdeen, NJ, which is on the Jersey Shore. As someone who grew up on the water, she holds an abiding love for the ocean.

Additionally, she is passionate about engineering, particularly her undergraduate major, nuclear engineering. Thus, with her desire to serve her country, she considered the pursuit of a commission as a naval officer an ideal fit. As an engineer with a keen interest in naval operations based on her summer cruise experiences, MIDN Ruprecht considers SWO(N) an excellent service assignment that allows heavy involvement in both of these fields as a junior officer.

She is thrilled to report to USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53), home-ported in Pearl Harbor, in the summer.

She excels in all capacities of undergraduate life at MIT. MIDN Ruprecht has conducted extensive research on electrostatic accelerators at MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Additionally, she was the NROTC Freshman Orientation OIC and is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Asante McCalla – Morehouse NROTC

USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70)

 

MIDN Asante McCalla

I was born in Pontiac, Michigan but I was raised in Snellville, GA. I joined the Navy to serve for those that cannot fight or are not able, so that when I am not able to fight, someone will fight for me.

As a child, my great -grandfather took me sailing often and I have always enjoyed swimming. My mother is a Marine and she has played a huge influence in my life.

I am headed to the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) out of San Diego. I plan to make a 20 year career out of the Navy and one day I would like to be the CO of a ship.

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Brandon Fiordelisi – SUNY Maritime College

USS BUNKER HILL (CG 53)

 

MIDN Brandon Fiordelisi

When I was a freshman in high school, I received an opportunity to visit the Naval Academy and participate in one of their lacrosse camps. Upon completing the camp and hearing multiple midshipman, officers and coaches speak, I was immediately hooked. I fell in love with everything about this program that produces Naval Officers. I walked away from the camp committed to learning more.

After months of research and talking to many different people, I was confident I wanted to become a Naval Officer. I applied to the Naval Academy and also applied for the NROTC Scholarship. I was awarded a NROTC Scholarship. After participating in SUNY Maritime NROTC unit for four years, I will now be commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer an am headed to USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

What pushed me to go SWO was the opportunities and options available in the Surface Warfare Community. Surface Warfare offers a plethora of jobs and challenges you in so many ways. Not to mention, it's the only community where you get to lead Sailors directly out of college. I could not be more excited about my future as a Surface Warfare Officer. 

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Robert Reese III – Prairie View A&M NROTC

USS COLE (DDG 67)

 

MIDN Robert Reese III

Living less than 5 minutes from the Great Lakes Naval Base, I was heavily influenced by the military growing up. I was afforded the opportunity to interact with a lot of sailors, and I developed with a great deal of respect for the Navy.

In high school, I participated in NJROTC and held an array of billets. NJROTC changed me as a person, and I wanted to further my career in the Navy along with experiencing college life. That’s when I knew Navy ROTC was for me.

After participating in summer cruises and noting the differences between the communities, there is nothing I would rather do than become a SWO. Once I got a taste of the Surface Navy on CORTRAMID, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Due to their rich history, I am appreciative that I got the opportunity to choose the USS COLE (DDG 67) . I am looking forward to the challenge.

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Anna Reinhart – Duke University NROTC

USS ROSS (DDG 71)

 

MIDN Anna Reinhart

I am from Millersville, MD and graduated from McDonogh High School in 2012. I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering here at Duke University.

I joined the Navy because service is the greatest motivation and ensures that I will always continue to push myself to be better.

I chose Surface Warfare because I want to work hard, lead people, and do awesome things and I think Surface Warfare is the best way to do that.

I selected USS ROSS (DDG 71) out of Rota, Spain and am excited to join her crew!

 

 

 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

Officer Candidate Brianna Muth – North Carolina State NROTC

USS CARNEY (DDG 64)

 

Officer Candidate Brianna Muth

I am from Erie, Pennsylvania where I attended Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. I enlisted in the Navy as a Nuclear Electronics Technician in 2011 and was picked up for the STA-21 program in 2013. I am majoring in Nuclear Engineering.

I joined the Navy for the opportunity to serve my country, as well as gain valuable leadership experience, and the SWO community for the opportunity to serve on a variety of different ship platforms.

I chose USS CARNEY (DDG 64) out of Rota, Spain. I am honored to become part of CARNEY Nation!

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Baylee Smith – Spelman College – Morehouse NROTC

USS JOHN FINN (DDG 113)

 

MIDN Baylee Smith

Baylee Smith is from Oakham, MA and was the #2 ROTC SWO Midshipman in the nation.

She joined the navy to get the most unique experience and most importantly to serve her country.

MIDN Smith loves to travel and thought her talents would best be served as a Surface Warfare Officer. MIDN Smith is heading to San Diego onboard the USS John Finn (DDG 113).

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Tanner Hudson – University of Washington

USS ROSS (DDG 71)

 

MIDN Tanner Hudson

My name is Tanner Hudson and I am studying microbiology at the University of Washington. I was fortunate to have selected USS ROSS (DDG 71), in Rota, Spain, as my first assignment.

I am originally from Littleton, Colorado and aspired to become a naval officer to become part of something greater than myself. In high school I was involved in my community as an Eagle Scout, volunteer, and athlete and wanted to continue to seek self-improvement and surround myself by well-rounded and highly motivated individuals. I wanted to work with our country’s greatest men and women, while knowing what I was doing will be meaningful.

I chose SWO(N) for my service selection because I wanted both the mission set of the surface navy and the unique challenges of the nuclear community. With that said, and by previous experiences with the international community I was fortunate to select the USS ROSS (DDG 71).

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Kevin Song – University of Pennsylvania NROTC

USS HIGGINS (DDG 76)

 

MIDN Kevin Song

I knew I wanted to follow my dad’s example of serving the country, and I also wanted to broaden my horizons and skills. The Navy resonated with me because you can travel the world and experience different cultures while developing leadership and personal interaction skills.

SWO appealed to me because of the quick expectation of the community to turn you into a leader and the diverse experiences you can get while traveling on a ship with your fellow sailors.

 
 
SWO

Surface Warfare – Come Lead America’s Navy

Surface Warfare is –

MIDN Bailey Rhodes – University of Mississippi NROTC

LCS CREW 109

 

MIDN Bailey Rhodes

With a hometown in landlocked Tyler, Texas, MIDN Rhodes fell in love with the treat of going to the ocean on vacation. Her love of the water, coupled with the myriad of opportunities within the SWO community, inspired her to pursue a career in the surface warfare.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Report a Crime Voting Assistance Veterans Crisis Line! Click here for your lifeline.
U.S. NAVY  |  U.S. NAVY RECRUITING  |  CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL  |  MYNAVYHR
FOIA REQUESTER SERVICE CENTER  |  INFORMATION QUALITY  |  NO FEAR ACT DATA  |  OPEN GOVERNMENT  |  PLAIN WRITING
  PRIVACY POLICY  |  PRIVACY PROGRAM  |  ACCESSIBILITY/SECTION 508  |  USA.GOV
Naval Service Training Command, NS Great Lakes, 2601A Paul Jones St, Great Lakes, IL  60088-2845 ~ 1.800.NAV.ROTC 
Official U.S. Navy Website  |  Parent Command
All site content is approved by the NSTC Public Affairs Office  |  NSTC Webmaster  |  Sitemap  |  Home
 
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon