An Officer on a Surface Warfare ship in the United States Navy can be responsible for huge amounts of equipment, and hundreds of lives. The Surface Warfare officer is responsible for operating vast weapons and equipment systems, both underway and in port. You will literally travel the world and gain a lot of insight that will serve you long after your career with the Navy is over.
The United States Navy has some of the most tactical and technically advanced vessels in the Air, and Beneath the Sea. They are second to none in regards to their submarine force and their Aviation elements they can bring to bear in any conflict. But the main thrust, the true mainstay for the United States Navy is their surface fleet, the cruisers, destroyers, frigates, small boats, and aircraft Carrier vessels.
The crews and ships are commanded and managed by a group of elite men, the officers of the Navy Surface Warfare group. If you are a person who works well under stress, and is up for a challenge, perhaps someday you will be at the helm of a ship in the fleet, as a Surface Warfare Naval Officer. Surface Warfare Navy Officers are in depth involved in every single aspect of Navy missions. Theater Air missile defense and Aviation aircraft support missions, antisubmarine warfare, air to air warfare, land attacks, damage control, shipboard management, as well as support for various Navy and Marine Corps force missions are all part of the assignment.
During a tour of duty at sea, a Surface Warfare officer may be assigned to be officer in charge of any number of different activities and shipboard operations. He may be placed with or serve with any of the following forces:
Amphibious- Transport and embark cargo, vehicles, and troops for assault and amphibious attack operations.
Cruiser-Destroyer- Provide and supply defense and ship attack measures within a wide array of firepower and missile capability.
Aircraft Carrier- Coordinate assist and provide for air defense from nuclear and conventional powered enemy ships and craft.
Mine Warfare- To identify and detect, and help neutralize threats to Navy and maritime forces from hostile use of mines.
Combat Logistics- To help re-supply and provide combatant ships with supplies, food, and ammunition and provide maintenance, repair and rescue capabilities using fleet and support ships.
There are several ways to become a Navy Surface Warfare Officer. You can attend OCS after earning a Bachelors degree. You can attend the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, or you can enter the Navy through the ROTC programs offered at colleges around the country.
