Officers

[sneekybastrd]

I have recently applied to the US Naval Academy (fingers crossed). From what I've read about SEAL ops I get conflicting info on the role of officers. Do officers go out with the rest of the SEALs during ops or do they simply plan and give orders? How large a team must be sent in for an officer to be in charge as opposed to an NCO, and what rank is in charge of how many operators? (In other words if I were an ensign and assigned to an active team would I ever go out? What would my role be?)
-Thanks for the info

[Wazz]

Sneeky
I hope you make it to the Academy.

Ensigns are often assigned as no higher than Assistant Platoon Officers. Ensigns will go out on Operations, However, a LT will go along. Also, the Ensign will be briefed, either formally or by direct inference to depend heavily on their Platoon Petty Officers. These PO's will most likely have years of actual experience in SEAL operations, where in comparison the Ensign is an expert in Calculas or Engineering, but not in combat or aquatic rescue operations.

In time, as the Ensign gains experience he will be assigned to lead operations. This is no different that any high skilled occupation where experience can only be fully gained on the job.

[sneekybastrd]

Thanks for the info. I had heard somewhere that officers never actually go out on missions, and that really pissed me off. I wouldn't want some guy who'd never completed an op before planning mine, so naturally I reconsidered being a SEAL officer because of that. Good to know that the info I got was bad. And thanks, hopefully I'll get into the academy.

[rascal999]

sneekybstrd,

Did you apply this year? Did you get a nomination?

Eli

[sneekybastrd]

I'm only a junior this year, so I have only sent in the preliminary ap. The actual ap doesn't come to me until July or around that time. I have started drafting letters for nominations but I haven't sent one in yet because I want to find out wether or not I got into the academy's summer seminar first. Once I find out I'll start applying for nominations (should be any day now...) Are you a midshipman/alumni and if so do you have any pointers?

[easyday1]

I've gotten into Summer Seminar 2nd Session--I can talk to you about it more via email or in the general forum.

[sneekybastrd]

When did you find out? I've been waiting for a letter.

[easyday1]

Please see my response in the topic ATTN: Sneaky in General Talk (I want to get this discussion off of Ask a SEAL). Feel free to ask me any more questions over there. Thank you.