Young NWO pipeline

[borbicus]

Hello!

As I'm in the recruitment process for ROTP NWO, I was wondering what the first few years as an NWO look like after graduating RMC. What is the training pipeline for NWO itself like, and how does assignment to the fleets actually work, and how do you progress when you get there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[FSTO]

Hello!

As I'm in the recruitment process for ROTP NWO, I was wondering what the first few years as an NWO look like after graduating RMC. What is the training pipeline for NWO itself like, and how does assignment to the fleets actually work, and how do you progress when you get there?

Thanks in advance!

Nobody at the recruiting centre gave you a brief on the path to becoming a qualified NWO? That’s too bad if true.

I’m sure one of the former RMC grads can give you a quick run down. I’m far too long in the tooth to give accurate information.

 

[borbicus]

Nobody at the recruiting centre gave you a brief on the path to becoming a qualified NWO? That’s too bad if true.

I’m sure one of the former RMC grads can give you a quick run down. I’m far too long in the tooth to give accurate information.

Since I'm in sea cadets I get a decent amount of info on things from alumni and family friends, but the CFRC information I got at the time was mostly about ROTP and RMC itself, not as much about career path afterwards. I've heard of NOTC Venture and the BWK ticket, but I haven't really gotten anything in depth about it, especially on joining the fleet itself.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[dimsum]

Since I'm in sea cadets I get a decent amount of info on things from alumni and family friends, but the CFRC information I got at the time was mostly about ROTP and RMC itself, not as much about career path afterwards. I've heard of NOTC Venture and the BWK ticket, but I haven't really gotten anything in depth about it, especially on joining the fleet itself.

Thanks for the reply!

It’s been a while too, but here’s a brief overview of what happens in the first several years as an NWO.

You’ll do part of your training (BMOQ and NWO II courses) in the summers while at ROTP. I believe that after you graduate, you go to VENTURE where you do NWO III and NWO IV. After that, you get posted to a ship and go do your Officer of the Day ticket as well as BWK ticket, as well as NOPQ - name escapes me but basically your qualification to be promoted to Lt (N).

After that, then you specialize in the Director (or D-Level) - Above water warfare, underwater warfare, navigation, or Info Management.

 

[borbicus]

It’s been a while too, but here’s a brief overview of what happens in the first several years as an NWO.

You’ll do part of your training (BMOQ and NWO II courses) in the summers while at ROTP. I believe that after you graduate, you go to VENTURE where you do NWO III and NWO IV. After that, you get posted to a ship and go do your Officer of the Day ticket as well as BWK ticket, as well as NOPQ - name escapes me but basically your qualification to be promoted to Lt (N).

After that, then you specialize in the Director (or D-Level) - Above water warfare, underwater warfare, navigation, or Info Management.

Thanks for the reply!

In terms of postings- is it pretty much just wherever the navy needs you? I'm assuming there's little choice in the matter. Do they also mix in shore postings in staff roles as well?

 

[dimsum]

Thanks for the reply!

In terms of postings- is it pretty much just wherever the navy needs you? I'm assuming there's little choice in the matter.

Yes.

Do they also mix in shore postings in staff roles as well?

Yes, but it wouldn’t be on your first posting. Staff jobs are generally for more senior Lt(N) or LCdrs, and up. I’d expect your first posting, and probably your second, to be on a ship.

 

[DukeDemise]

The NWO training has changed significantly since the last post in this thread.

NWO II, III, and IV have been consolidated into one course called NWO Basic - it is an approximately 6 month-long course conducted at HMCS Venture in Esquimalt, BC. In this course you will learn the absolute basics of being a Second Officer of the Watch (2OOW) on the bridge of a warship.

Upon completion of NWO Basic, you will be posted to a ship on either the west or east coast to obtain your 600 bridge hours as part of the NWO 600 program. During this time, you will work on your "NWO 600 Workbook" as you stand bridge watches as a 2OOW. It is no longer possible to earn your bridge watchkeeping ticket as a sub-lieutenant on ship (although the CO of a ship still retains the right to "give charge" to anyone they see fit) because the Naval Training Group is now the only authority permitted to give tickets. You will also not sit your Naval Warfare Officer Professional Qualification (NWOPQ) board on ship, as this is now a formalized course given at either Venture or NFS(A).

Once you have accumulated the required 600 bridge hours, you will be loaded onto the NWOPQ Course at either HMCS Venture or NFS(A) in Halifax, NS. This is a 3 month-long course that tests you on your ability to apply mariner skills, respond to emergencies, and conduct operations in task group settings as the Officer of the Watch (OOW).

After successfully completing the NWOPQ Course, you will be given your bridge watchkeeping ticket and your Naval Warfare Officer Professional Qualification. At this point you will return to the fleet to obtain another 600 bridge hours as the OOW to consolidate your experiences, then you will be able to choose your director-level (D-Level) course.