<p>Jack - I hear you, and I can understand why you feel that way now, but it will pay off later, trust me. I went aviation - P-3’s to be exact - and it wasn’t until I was given a tour in USS Carl Vinson (an aircraft carrier for the uninitiated) that I had to serve in a ship, and do “SWO stuff”. Previously, my focus had been mostly on Anti-submarine warfare and tactics.</p>
<p>At Tactical Action Officer School, I had to learn unbelievable amounts of US and Soviet aircraft, ship, and submarine platforms with all of their missile threats, torpedo ranges, gun ranges, etc., all for a quiz the next morning. It went on for 3 months or so. It made pro-knowledge at USNA seem like a walk in the park. 8 hours of class, a couple hours break for dinner and a workout, and then back to the school to study because most of our study material was classified.</p>
<p>It will come in handy later - honest - and it may help to save your ship, your crew and your life. 'Nuff said?</p>