Hull Swaps: Does the Captain/ Crew stay with the ship?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 20:32:03 -0400

I have heard mixed things about this. Most that I have asked have said that the crew typically migrates to the new ship, at the same duty station as before.

Some I have asked have said that critical rates will stay with the ship, and go to the new duty station, and yet others have said that individual sailors are given the choice to stay or go.

I am also wondering if the CO/ XO/ CMC will stay with their ship, or go to the new ship, at the same command.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 19 at 2014 4:13 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 04:13:49 -0400

I'm just an Army guy and got intrigued by this posting. I'm used to moving every 2-3 years from base to base. How does it work in the Navy? Do you specialize on a certain size vessel (forgive the ignorant terminology) or can you end up on a carrier when you just got done with a destroyer?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 1:07 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 01:07:30 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member. What exactly is a "hull swap"? Examples?

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 1:14 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:14:58 -0400

There are several examples of hull swaps.
1. Boomers: the sub change crews in its homeport to extend the deployable time of the ship. 2 crews one ship.
2. Rotations on forward deployed assets: This was done be the MCM's and the ships would stay in Bahrain while the crew rotated back and forth from San Diego.
3. Hull swaps: This is what I believe you are referring to. It is designed so that a older ship that is forward deployed can be swapped out with a newer hull number. The entire crew basically moves off one and onto the other.
Typically you have from two weeks to a month to learn the new ship and then it is yours.

Response by PO1 Rexford Dundon made Apr 5 at 2015 9:31 PM

PO1 Rexford Dundon — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 21:31:43 -0400

I know it was after I retired, but my last ship, the USS Halsey DDG 97 and the USS Russell DDG 59 did a hull swap (the Russell went to San Diego and the Halsey went to Hawaii) MOST of the crew swapped ships, only those specialized, such as the AEGIS FC's stayed on their original ship, because the Halsey has a much newer version of AEGIS than the Russell. Engineers, OS's, Supply etc all swapped hulls and stayed at their original ports.

Response by PO1 Edward Spencer made Sep 13 at 2016 8:06 AM

PO1 Edward Spencer — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:06:31 -0400

When the Reagan, Roosevelt, and Washington did the 3 way swap in San Diego last year, the majority of the crews swapped, aside from the upper chain of command and Reactor departments. Everybody else switched ships. The nukes had to stay because of specific differences between each of the plants unique to each ship.