Thinking of switching over from active duty Army to Navy as a logistics officer. Any advice?

SPC Michael Baylor — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:26:03 -0400

I'm currently active duty Army and am ETSing in about a year. I am thinking of switching over to active duty Navy as a logistics officer.

Has anyone else taken this path? Any advice or insight into the process?

Response by SPC Michael Baylor made May 11 at 2015 7:25 PM

SPC Michael Baylor — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:25:37 -0400

I'm currently active duty army (Enlisted) and am etsing in about a year. I am thinking of switching over to active duty navy as a logistics officer. I’ve already talked to a navy recruiter about joining the navy. But what I would really like is to get some information from those in the navy. Especially if you are a logistics officer. As a logistics officer how often would myself and my family pcs? How likely would I be able to be stationed in Virginia for at least a year after enlisting in the navy and finishing officer school? Can anyone tell me about the daily life as an officer in the navy? I have a child with Autism how likely would I be able to get orders for an overseas duty location that my family would be able to come with? Anyone know what my rank would be right after finishing at the officer school O-1 or O-2? How long does it usually take a logistics officer to earn their next rank? Any other information would be great. Thanks for your help in advance.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 7:35 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:35:03 -0400

Staying in Virginia and getting help with your family needs shouldn't be a problem; Norfolk is huge and the Navy is usually very good at taking care of family concerns. I'm not sure what would be available for an overseas station, because I fly a land-based aircraft out of Oklahoma. Most Chiefs who go LDO start as O-2s, but I think transfers from other services start at O-1. That is just a casual observation, though, so I don't have any data to back that up. Promotions are almost always 2 years from ENS to LTJG, 2 years LTJG to LT, and 8 from LT to LCDR. I hope some of that was helpful.

I would try to tell you about daily life, but both my time enlisted and my officer community have been odd cases that don't reflect the rest of the Navy very accurately.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 11 at 2015 8:06 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 11 May 2015 20:06:54 -0400

1.) 0-1 to 0-2 is two years from date of commissioning... Regardless of time in grade/service. Basically, you have to have a heart-beat in order for this promotion. Promotions, beyond, are based upon a.) performance, and b.) needs of your MOS (how many in your same rank/rating are staying in or getting out). Based upon 15 years ago, Only LDO's and "Direct Commissionees" get to skip 0-1. LDO's, if they still exist, are "Limited Duty Officers" --Basically technical experts, generally E-6 & above. Direct Commissionees are almost exclusively Doctors & Dentists... folks that can't be sourced through traditional recruiting lines. If you're a Army SPC now, you'll start out as an O-1. However, your pay grade will be 0-1E --little more pay for your previous service.

2.) Accompanied v/ Un-Accompanied Tour: Depends on the "needs of the Navy."

3.) With current DoD budget projections, I'd forecast that you'll be "homesteaded" --serving a little longer at each station/base (but, moving within commands) at that station/base.

4.) Mustangs, generally, make pretty good officers. Among other reasons, you already know you don't have to hit yourself with a hammer to know it will hurt. You'll have a good understanding of the impact upon your subordinates when issuing orders.

5.) Finally, I applaud your desire to secure a commission. To this, best of luck to you!

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 11 at 2015 10:23 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:23:19 -0400

The typical rotation in the Navy, regardless of whether you're Officer or Enlisted, is every three years (on average). As an Officer you would most likely do your first (and probably second) tour on a ship.

As far as your being stationed in Virginia, you can request where you get stationed but ultimately it boils down to "the needs of the Navy."

Daily life as an officer - as a JO (junior officer), Ensign, your biggest concerns will be learning your job, being trained by your Chief, and working on your officer warfare qualification.

As far as your child being autistic, the Navy will try and limit the places they station you to locations that have the proper services your kid needs. I really don't know how many overseas locations will have those services, and it also depends on how severe your kid's autism is. My daughter is autistic and is non-verbal, but is otherwise high functioning. Of course, I'm not in the Navy anymore either.

Since you will be a "regular" officer and not an LDO or direct commission, you would start off as an O01 Ensign. Depending on how many years you've got as enlisted, you will be an O-1E, which is a few bucks more a month. Promotion is automatic from O-1 to O-2 to O-3 and is 2 years between ranks. You have to be a pretty big shit bag to not get promoted to O-3 Lieutenant.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made May 12 at 2015 8:36 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Tue, 12 May 2015 08:36:58 -0400

Mostly what you'll see is a radically different culture. Some misinterpret the boundaries between officers and enlisted as class distinctions, particularly because officer and Senior NCO (Chief Petty Officer) living quarters aboard ship are off limits to enlisted folks, except for official business. Obviously, too, terminology is different, and a CO at sea is, essentially, a monarch. That said, the Navy has a well-earned reputation for taking better care of its people, and has better creature comforts than the Army, although sea service is, shall we say, arduous, and the Surface Navy has (or, at least, used to have) the reputation of eating its young. As more officers of my generation have gotten into policy-making positions (several of my former roommates and shipmates are now Flag Officer), I believe this is changing, but I'm sure there are still abuses aboard ship. That said, promotions have been better in the Navy for time immemorial, and officers are encouraged to think for themselves and be proactive.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 12:13 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:13:51 -0400

Have you been in communication with Navy Logistics Officer selection commmunity? What about officer recruiter? The packages are pretty competitive, especially if you're applying for the Navy OCS. Street applicants also have impressive resumes that will put yours in competition.

You can find the application at the following website:

http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/01000%20Military%20Personnel%20Support/01-400%20Promotion%20and%20Advancement%20Programs/1420.1B%20OPNAV.pdf

I used to work for reserve support unit in Atlanta and our Naval recruiting district (NRD Atlanta) was located across the street. Why don't you inquire and see if the recruiters can give you front line information on logistics community demands and selection boards?

Start by visiting the site below along with giving them a call. Bottom line, keep communicating, make connections, and run after it. I myself desire to go navy intel, but put it on hold for now due to unprecedented issues. Wishing you best and feel free to PM me any time!

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/atlanta

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 9:55 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:55:57 -0400

SPC Baylor-The Army personnel here may be able to elaborate, but my sense is that the Navy has three types of officers; Line, LDO, and Fleet Service Support. Line officers are all expected to qualify in a warfare specialty and may potentially command a "type asset" some day; i.e. a ship, squadron, etc. LDOs are technical specialists and from what I understand, are comprised mostly of former Navy E-6 and above, or (very rarely) former Line officers who have been medically re-designated from the branch supported by their new component. Fleet Support officers more "type cast" and I honestly would have to research how your MOS fits within this structure. I will say that in general, the primary differences I noticed when serving alongside Army officers, is that there are far more "flavors" of officer within the "green" side than ours. That may be my own perception, but our Warrant Officers and Chiefs seem to fulfill the lion's share of these responsibilities in the Fleet.