A question on Jump

[Fritz_Brown]

The rest is gedunk? Thats a use of that word I've never seen before!

Some ships/commands make it harder than others to get that pin. It does rate some weight on your advancement, and it really carries some weight if you get both the SW pin AND the Air Warfare pin.

But, yeah, until the WoT, it seems it was a box-filler....

 

[Ran Targas]

Originally posted by Bill Cameron:
Fritz,

Cutlasses? The surface warfare pin?

I qualified for one and it wasn't worth a damn.

I'm an ex-nuc like Andy. I did more training, reading, and qualifying to stand 'messenger of the watch' than I did to get my 'cutlasses'.

All you really need is 24 months sea time and be an E-5. The rest is gedunk.


Have fun,
Bill

Bill,

I submit that quals are only as difficult to get as the CO wants them to be.

It sounds like you scored an ESWS pin, not a SWO pin. I went through hell trying to get my SWO pin from a ring-knocking, black shoe full-bird; he thought it was like his own little club or some such nonsense. I had to stand watches both on the bridge and in main control, get qualified in every enlisted and officer watch station, make numerous approaches to piers, anchorages, buoys, and oilers, then sit through a four hour board with the CO, XO, and all the department heads. Even after the board, I had homework to complete before I could wear my pin. And no hand shake!

As for enlisted sub pins; I've known two middies who pulled off qualifying during a single summer cruise. Sure, they busted their butts but neither one attended sub school, so their preparedness wasn't what carried them.

Again, it seems it all depends on who wants you to get the qual; you or someone senior onboard. With the right 'opportunities', anyone can qual in short order.