SWOs command the world’s most capable ships Surface Warfare Officer

Oversee a group of highly trained, professional Sailors on board some of the world’s most powerful vessels. Operate million-dollar cutting-edge navigation systems on an aircraft carrier. Use your first-rate technical knowledge and expertise to command a Navy cruiser.

America’s Navy has the most modern, advanced fleet of ships in the entire world. The Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs) that control them are trained extensively to maintain and operate these ships, their crews and their systems. Providing direction. Leading by example.

Job Description

As a Surface Warfare Officer, you will have the opportunity to excel as a leader. You could serve as Commander over an elite crew of ship drivers and ship fighters and be an authority in seemingly every aspect of your Naval assignments. Your ability to take charge will result in the individuals you supervise being at their very best at all times.

To become a Surface Warfare Officer, you must have a degree from a four-year college or university. As a SWO, you could be in charge of:

• Directing personnel operations aboard Navy vessels, such as aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious warfare ships, mine warfare ships and frigates
• Managing shipboard vertical launch systems
• Using computer displays and advanced technology in battle and ship defense
• Providing support in the form of Navy expeditionary force missions, such as Theater Air Missile operations, anti-submarine warfare, air-to-air warfare, and support and supply missions

The leadership skills you possess will help you as a member of this esteemed community.

Specific Responsibilities

Involve yourself in everything from anti-submarine warfare to missile defense. Provide support for Marine Corps and Navy Special Warfare (SEAL) missions. Engage in damage control and routine shipboard management. Apply your advanced training and comprehensive knowledge in order to maintain command of a surface ship.

As a SWO, you may be in charge of any number of shipboard operations and activities while at sea, working with or within any of the following:

• Aircraft Carrier Forces: Provide and coordinate air defense from aircraft carriers
• Cruiser-Destroyer Forces: Provide ship attack and defense measures with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities, providing anti-air, submarine and surface warfare support
• Amphibious Forces: Embark and transport vehicles, cargo and troops for amphibious assault operations
• Combat-Logistics Forces: Provide combatant ships with fuel, ammunition, food and supplies, and provide repair, maintenance and rescue capabilities through Fleet support ships
• Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify and neutralize threats to maritime forces from hostile use of mines

You may also be interested in becoming a Surface Warfare Officer within the prestigious Naval Nuclear community, where you will have the opportunity to work on some of the world’s most powerful nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.

Work Environment

As a Surface Warfare Officer, you will be an authoritative figure on the world’s most superior surface ships. You will have the opportunity to work at sea and on shore, in a variety of environments. Sea duty could place you aboard any number of ships within your fleet. Shore duty may involve a tour of duty at the Pentagon; a student assignment at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.; or command and management positions at shore bases and stations around the globe.

Training & Advancement

Surface Warfare Officers receive extensive training both at sea and in port. Upon completion of Officer Candidate School (OCS), newly commissioned Surface Warfare Officers can expect an advanced training process that includes classroom study, field experience, and the application of their comprehensive training in settings at sea and ashore.

Surface Warfare Officers first attend Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), a 20-week course that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island. Here, Officers learn all about combat systems, tactical concepts, propulsion systems (gas, turbine, diesel and steam), maneuvering, navigation, personnel administration, fire fighting, shipboard organization and the responsibilities of leading teams of Sailors as a division Officer before reporting to an assigned conventional surface ship.

Upon completion of SWOS, Officers will take assignment on a conventional surface ship, commanding a team of Sailors responsible for a certain component of the ship – anything from electronics to weapons to engineering systems. In this setting, Officers are working toward Surface Warfare qualification. This is an 18-month tour alternating between deployments, patrols, days in port, maintenance, local operations and leave.

With proven abilities as a Surface Warfare Officer on a conventional ship, the next assignment is as a division Officer in the engineering plant of an aircraft carrier. Like their first sea tour, this is an 18-month process for Officers.

After completing their sea tours, Surface Warfare Officers may be selected to serve on high-level staffs, commands and strategic projects, or they may elect to work in recruitment positions. The ultimate goal for many: to one day command their own ship.

Education Opportunities

Education and training are integral, ongoing parts of a career as a Surface Warfare Officer in America’s Navy. You will likely have the opportunity to earn advanced degrees. What’s more, you may take advantage of the Navy’s Tuition Assistance Program, which pays a percentage of accredited college courses and programs. Upon becoming a SWO, you could consider the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.; as a tour-of-duty option, which allows you to earn a master’s or doctorate degree.

Pay Range

Following three years of sea duty, Surface Warfare Officers will earn additional sea pay. If selected as a department head, Surface Warfare Officers can earn up to $75,000 in bonuses for signing on an additional five-year split aboard two different ships.

Qualifications

A four-year degree from an accredited college or university is required to become a Surface Warfare Officer in America’s Navy. There are different ways to become a SWO. If you're high school student or an undergraduate, you can enter through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) or through the U.S. Naval Academy. Those with a degree attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 12-week Navy orientation school in Newport, Rhode Island.

After the Navy

Your unique experience, unmatched leadership skills and unrivaled training as a Surface Warfare Officer will make you highly sought after by employers in the civilian sector. You could easily transfer directly to any number of civilian careers, whether being in executive-level management or high-tech specialty system management. Each year, a select few candidates in the Surface Warfare program are offered a chance to specialize in Information Technology (IT), Oceanography or Engineering Duty Officer (EDO). If you have skills or interest in these specializations, you may qualify for future placement in these exciting fields.