The Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer brief held March 4 in the auditorium of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Oceana drew a near-capacity audience.  The attendees, mostly first class and chief petty officers, were interested in obtaining more information about how they could become an officer through the two programs. 

Sailors at the brief, presented by the Hampton Roads Navy Mustang Association represented a wide variety of commands and Navy communities across Hampton Roads.  The informational seminar had also been presented the day before at Naval Station Norfolk. 

The guest speaker for the brief was Capt. James Thompson, community manager for the LDO/CWO programs, who is based in Millington, Tenn.  He immediately addressed some misinformation about the future of the commissioning programs. "That rumor that the LDO/CWO program is going to go away is just not true.  The    LDO and Chief Warrant Officer programs are alive and well," Thompson stated.  He explained while up to four designators may merge, the mergers follow the path which several enlisted ratings have experienced in the last several years.  "Enlisted ratings are consolidating," Thompson pointed out.

"You’re merging.  That’s what we have to do -- merge also," he said.  "Merging doesn’t mean it’s going away."  He said the proof of the programs continuing into the future is that 310 LDOs and approximately 180 CWOs have been selected for this year.  "And next year, we’re hoping to make even more than that."

"I’m a little biased when I tell you this.  I believe it’s very hard to become an officer from the enlisted ranks.  I believe the easiest way to do it is from the LDO/Chief Warrant Officer program.  It’s probably the best opportunity for the enlisted member to move into the officer ranks," said Thompson, who is an LDO with 37 years in the Navy.

He later drew a lot of laughs as well as groans from the audience when he told them if commissioned as an LDO/CWO that "You, too can do 37 years in the Navy!"  He also advised his audience if their goal was to be commissioned, "pursue it until you accomplish it."  It took Thompson three times of submitting his package before being selected.

"The advantage is that when you move into that source rating you were in (as an offficer), you’re going to move into a designator where you continue to develop that experience and technical expertise," he explained.  Thompson added that once they were LDOs, they had the opportunity to laterally transfer into other fields.

"Once you get in there (into the LDO/CWO programs), the opportunities are even more," he said. 

Although some Sailors may have been concerned the two programs were going away, the captain explained there were several designators where the LDO and CWO boards had difficulty meeting quotas. 

Thompson presented characteristics from selectees from this year’s board, such as their average age, number of years in service, warfare qualifications, and total education completed.  Although a college degree is not required for a commission as an LDO/CWO, those accepted have completed between 13-14 years of education. Thompson pointed out that it shows how the programs are moving toward requiring a degree. 

He also noted there are five common characteristics of those accepted for commissioning in the programs.  They are sustained superior performance; consistent breakout evaluations, good mix of sea; shore and overseas duty stations; successfully served in key leadership positions; and attainment of professional qualifications. 

During the brief, Lt. David Boisselle, a member of the Hampton Roads Navy Mustangs who organized the event, offered his advice gained from his job an LDO administration officer and reviewed the eligibility requirements for both programs.

"Only the Navy offers an opportunity for an enlisted in the LDO program to go all the way to captain," Boisselle pointed out, adding that LDOs can serve in command, both at sea and ashore.

Potential applicants should start now to list all of their accomplishments for the next evaluation, and not expect their chief will remember everything they’ve done. "Take that brag sheet really seriously folks. Nobody cares more about your eval than you," Boisselle said.

OPNAVINST 1420.1A offers explicit instructions and checklists for each of the Navy’s respective commissioning programs.  Applicants are advised not to deviate from the instruction. 

Following the formal presentation, Thompson encouraged questions from Sailors. He spent nearly an hour answering questions of general interest about the commissioning programs.  Following that, Thompson, Boisselle and members of the Hampton Roads Navy Mustang Association took career specific questions from Sailors.

For information, contact your career counselor or Boisselle at 433-5048 or david.j.boisselle@navy.mil.

To view the LDO/CWO Program Career Day presentation, click HERE.