Careers

Surface Warfare

USS Carl Vinson

America鈥檚 Navy has the most modern, advanced fleet of ships in the entire world. Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs) are trained extensively to maintain and operate these ships, their crews and their systems. Providing direction. Leading by example.

Surface Warfare Officers form the backbone of Fleet leadership. In this role, you will have the opportunity to excel as a leader. As a Surface Warfare Officer you can expect to do any or all of the following:

  • Directing personnel operations aboard Navy vessels, such as aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious warfare ships, littoral combat ships, mine warfare ships and patrol craft
  • Become an Officer of the Deck and direct your bridge team how to safely navigate your ship while at sea
  • Managing shipboard vertical launch systems
  • Using computer displays and advanced technology in battle and ship defense
  • Providing support to Navy expeditionary forces, Theater Air Missile operations, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-air warfare, and support and supply missions
  • Landing and launching aircraft while underway
  • Deploying Marines in Amphibious Assault Vehicles from your vessel
  • Conduction humanitarian assistance to vessels and people in distress around the globe
  • Managing and maintain an engineering plant
  • Learn about damage control and the employment of damage control systems

The Surface Fleet is the backbone of America's Navy.  For over 240 years, the men and women of the Surface Navy been homeported and deployed around the globe.  Today's Surface Fleet conducts a wide variety of missions across each ship class.

Besides the traditional Surface Warfare pathway, there are multiple specialities within the Surface Warfare platform that midshipmen can request.  They are:

  1. Nuclear
  2. Intelligence
  3. Engineering
  4. Oceanography
  5. Information Professional 
  6. Cryptologic Warfare