<p>First…there are two milestones in “service selection”</p>
<p>1) Service Selection Day/Night (however you want to look at it): is when 1/C find out what service they have been choosen for (SWO, Pilot, NFO, USMC, etc.) this is usually around Thanksgiving time.</p>
<p>2) Service (Orders) Assignment Night: is when 1/C meet with their communities…for SWO, it means picking your ship…for USN pilots it means picking your flight school date…not sure if you pick a TBS date for USMC or if they assign it to you. This date is in February. </p>
<p>For SWO on Service Assignment Night, the ship tage reads: DESIGNATION, SHIP NAME, HOMEPORT…that’s it! As far as I know, no more SWOS. You go right to the ship after basket leave.</p>
<p>From what I have heard, billet assignment on ship is on the “needs of the ship” and not on individual preference, though I assume it could workout if there are a few open billets and a few personnel.</p>
<p>Zaph, I am pretty sure that my leadership prof. (LT) said that an E-6 qualified as OOD (whether that is in port or not, I can’t recall). On my cruise the conning-o was a chief for a rotation! I think LT also said that they were on a 9 duty section rotation (in port) because the captain said to the khakis that if they could get everyone qualified, the watch sections would increase…and they did.</p>
<p>As things vary from company to company at USNA, it is true in the fleet!</p>