Are you SWOtivated to join the surface community?

By LT Harry Qui 

Service assignment for the first class midshipmen is coming up later this month. By now the Class of 2015 has had experience during their summer training observing a variety of jobs available to naval officers that will help them make their first major decision about their future careers.

And the second class mids are just behind them. This past summer, midshipmen from the Class of 2016 underwent summer training – PROTRAMID (professional training of midshipmen). During PROTRAMID, they spend a week with each unrestricted line community to learn in-depth of what each offers.

One of the communities that they spend a week with was the surface community and the Surface Warfare Officers. Everyone has heard of Surface Warfare Officer or SWO, but have you ever considered of becoming one?

Since the age of sail, officers serving on board those ships were in charge of navigation, weapons, supplies and training the next generation of officers. They were the origin of the SWO community, and they have been the backbone of a Navy since its inception.

As time progressed, naval weapon platforms diversified. This brought about different communities within the naval forces. However, the core missions for SWO have remained the same.

With time, jobs for SWOs have expanded as well. It is reasonable to say that the career paths of a SWO are as unique as the individual. Of course, there are certain milestones that all SWOs must achieve, but it varies greatly how each officer reaches these goals.

For instance, a person could spend his or her entire career on board major surface vessels, while another officer might switch between platforms. If the thought of being on a river really gets your heart pumping, then you can join a RIVERON squadron. Perhaps the aspects of littoral combat have certain hold on you. If so, the new LCS could be an option. These new class of ships are multi-mission and very versatile.

During surface week, the midshipmen experienced firsthand what newly commissioned officers go through during their first command. They had the chance to learn about the variety of jobs available within the SWO community in a real world setting. The midshipmen spoke with newly commissioned ensigns regarding how they transitioned from being a midshipman to an officer and what the expectations were for them as they reported to their first command.

Their experiences might differ from each other after graduation, however, one common theme is that as new ensigns, they are expected to lead from day one. To have a successful career, they must ensure that the sailors working for them are set for success as well. 

It is a big responsibility but those who are SWOtivated will be well prepared for the challenges.

Midshipmen Mentor Boy Scouts in New Mexico

Post by ENS Kathleen Mullen

Thirty midshipmen led more than 1,400 youth into the wilderness of northern New Mexico this summer while serving as service academy rangers at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.

Philmont Scout Ranch is the largest national high adventure base owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America.

The ranch covers 137,000 acres – about 214 square miles – of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains. Philmont offers an 11-day high adventure program for male and female participants, ages 14-20. Participants are organized in crews of 8-11 youth accompanied by adult advisors. More than one million youth have experienced the Philmont adventure since the first camping season in 1939.

Each crew is assigned a ranger when they arrive at Philmont. Rangers spend the first three days with the crew, guiding them through base camp administrative check in procedures and then on their first few days in the backcountry. Rangers teach crews all necessary skills for a successful backcountry trek.

Rangers have been leading crews into the Philmont backcountry since 1957 when Charles Dunn founded the Ranger Department.

The Philmont Service Academy Ranger Leadership Program began in 1972 when the Air Force Academy sent the first group of Rangers to Philmont. The Naval Academy sent its first rangers in 1989. Today, West Point cadets also serve as rangers alongside Air Force cadets and Naval Academy midshipmen.

Upon arrival at Philmont, service academy rangers immediately begin a rigorous training program. The first two days of training are conducted at base camp, where rangers learn the administrative check-in process they will follow with their crews. Rangers also learn about the history of the land and the ranch.

After training at base camp, rangers spend four days training in Philmont’s backcountry. They also get a taste for Philmont’s mountainous terrain and fickle mountain weather. Torrential downpours, hail, and a large temperature range teach rangers to be prepared for a variety of weather.

Philmont has high mountains with rough terrain and elevations that range from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. In training, rangers learn all the skills they will teach their crews. Bear and mountain lion procedures, cooking, water purification, campfire safety, first aid, flash flood and fire safety, land navigation, and the basics of group dynamics are only a few of the many topics covered in training.

Immediately after the conclusion of training, rangers qualify via a written test. The following day, they pick up their first crews.

During the course of the summer training block, the rangers lead four crews into the backcountry. Many find the experience to be exceptionally rewarding and an excellent opportunity to practice small unit leadership.

“Philmont was the best leadership experience that I have ever been through,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Omar Messallam. “The responsibility of having to teach, mentor, and lead young people in a foreign environment is probably the best test of one's professional composure and leadership skills.”

While leading crews, communication, enthusiasm, humility, time management and interpersonal skills are critical for a ranger. Rangers lead different age groups, learning styles, and personalities. It is a ranger’s job to both relate to each participant and teach to the entire group so that all are successful.

“Throughout the month my confidence with small groups sky rocketed as I was in charge of over fifty people,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Chris Rizman.

Rangers participate in every aspect of the Philmont experience with the crew. This may involve climbing Mount Baldy, Philmont’s tallest peak, participating in a conservation project, or participating in a program at one of Philmont’s 35 staffed backcountry camps. Programs offered at Philmont include blacksmithing, a challenge course, railroad building, homesteading, gold mining, black powder shooting, rock climbing, spar-pole climbing, astronomy, and wilderness medicine.

During the training block rangers also enjoy talking to scouts about the Naval Academy and the military. Many scouts learn about the Naval Academy for the first time through a service academy ranger, and some rangers continue to mentor scouts through the admissions process after the Philmont experience ends.

The selection process for each summer’s Philmont Rangers begins in January with an application distributed to midshipmen via email. Interviews are conducted mid spring. Midshipmen interested in Philmont should contact Lt. Cmdr. Casey Rayburg, the Philmont liaison officer, at rayburg@usna.edu.

Midshipmen Spend Summer Training Cruise On Board USS Bataan During Deployment

Post by MC3 Mark Hays, USS Bataan Public Affairs

Fifteen Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy became the second group to embark the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) for summer training from June 23- July 18.

During the summer, these Midshipmen are assigned to various units throughout the Navy for training intended to give them first-hand experience in the fleet. This training is designed to assist them later when they request which areas of the Navy or Marine Corps they would like to serve.

Midshipmen prepare to hoist flags during a training evolution on board USS Bataan.
Photo by MC3 Chase Hawley, USS Bataan Public Affairs

The group of Midshipmen were paired up with junior officers and enlisted, known as running mates, who helped with preparing the future officers for shipboard life. Running mates were instrumental for training and preparing Midshipman for their future in the Navy. During the stay, they provided important information based on personal experiences and professional knowledge.

"This was my first time being a running mate,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class DeeAnn Cabrera, from Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. “It was an eye opening experience to show a future officer around the ship, which helps them make their decision on their future job.”

While aboard Bataan, the Midshipmen spent their time observing in work spaces such as engineering, supply, personnel, and deck which are designed to broaden their prospective as future leaders.

Mids wait to board a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) on board USS Bataan.
Photo by MC1 Julie Matyascik, USS Bataan Public Affairs

"I got to spend a lot of time in deck department,” said Midshipman Morgan Jung from Tenstrike, Minn. “During the RAS (Replenishment at Sea) I helped the Deck Department Sailors who maintain the Phone and Distance line which was a really neat experience.”

During their cruise Midshipmen saw firsthand an amphibious assault ship’s capabilities by riding in a Landing Craft Air Cushion, CH-53 Super Stallion, touring the inside of a tank, and helping Bataan’s Landing Signal Enlisted Sailor direct aircraft onto the flight deck.

"I think I want to be a pilot,” said Midshipman Meghan Moloney, from Springfield, Va. “After directing in Helo’s with the LSE’s, I was sold on pursuing my future as a pilot. I want to experience that everyday.”

During their three week stay, Bataan’s leadership provided hands on training that Midshipmen cannot get at the Naval Academy.

Mids learn how to set up plates for welding in the metal shop on board USS Bataan.
Photo by MC1 RJ Stratchko, USS Bataan Public Affairs

“What better way to train our future officers than onboard the Bataan,” said Capt. George J. Vassilakis, Commanding Officer, USS Bataan (LHD 5). “Being on deployment, doing real world missions is something the academy just cannot offer in a classroom. The future of the Navy is bright with Sailors like these preparing to lead it.”

Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.