Why You Don’t Want to Be a Navy Captain

What does it take to command one of the U.S. Navy’s powerful Nimitz or Ford-class aircraft carriers? It’s a role that’s more than managing a “floating city” of 5,000-strong crew and overseeing critical flight operations. The selection process is intense, requiring years of naval and nuclear training, leadership in high-stakes situations, and a deep sense of duty. But, what’s daily life like at sea for an aircraft carrier captain? From dining perks to non-stop responsibilities, explore the reality behind one of the Navy's most demanding roles!

#militarystrategy #militarydevelopments #militaryanalysis
#themilitaryshow

[barrynkaye]

Tough job? Yes but you love every minute and wish it could go on forever. You are well trained and strive to be honored to be selected for command. Looking back now I still relish those years in the US Navy from Ensign to Captain, a great honor. Captain USN (Ret)

[bwmcelya]

I was granted VIP status on the USS Enterprise for six days as a journalist back in the eighties. It was the privilege of my life. I tip my hat, and bow in reverence to the retired and re-assigned officers and crew of CVN-65. Thank you all. I will never forget.

[VulcanRider]

Having served onboard 4 US Aircraft Carriers, I would never even believe I could handle that job, It takes a very special breed of individual to handle that job and I was fortunate to serve under a couple of the best, Admiral Gary Wheatley who was skipper of the USS John F Kennedy, CV-67 when I was onboard during the Beirut crisis in 83-84. Admiral Wheatley was one of the finest Naval Officers I had the pleasure of serving with. He was also skipper of my very first A6 squadron VA-34.

[pilotusa]

The rank of "captain" is not "Zero six." In the O-6 designation, the "O" stands for "Officer". The "O-6" is properly pronounced: "OH SIX".

[navysailor]

I spent 22 years at sea on three different vessels there were plenty of nights I stood watch on the Bridge trying to keep the watch standers quiet while the Captain took a lite snooze sitting in his bridge chair.

[jokurino]

Okay, A.I. narrator. It's 'OH SIX'.

[competitionglen]

Honestly, under paid for all they do, compared to politicians who really have no responsibility. 😊

[musashi]

$190K is nowhere near enough for the level of responsibility, risk, bureaucracy, and time and service.

[j]

Having the misfortune of being attached to any military crew with toxic leadership is a nightmare & you never know until you're stuck with them.

[justinmcnally]

I was the Commander of a Battlestar, Jupiter class, for 30+ years. Billions of cubits trusted to me, and thousands of personnel under my command & responsibility. Best and worst days of my life, especially once the second Cylon war broke out...a rewarding experience ultimately but still very dark and hard. Wouldn't wish that on anybody.

[ThePrimeMinisterOfTheBlock]

That's a very bold assertion. I've seen star trek and know what being a captain is all about.

[navysailor]

The Captain does not eat in the Wardroom unless he is invited by the Mess President, usually the Executive Officer. He could also eat in the Chiefs Mess on invitation from the Mess President usually the Command Master Chief. The OOD (Officer of the Deck) or the JOOD Junior Officer of the Deck are tasked to review the Enlisted meals. Captains do not drink at sea. No alcohol is served on board, unless the ship is in port and the Captain has guests on board such as the Ambassador or Local Dignitaries.

[powerthings]

The salary may sound high, but being the Captain of any large Naval vessel, and particularly a carrier, is an executive-level job and they are underpaid by any civilian standard you care to use. But, you don't do it for the money. The pool of people who can get through training, be a good officer, become a Navy pilot, command a squadron, command a vessel and get through the executive nuclear training, to assume command of a carrier, are few and elite. And, military pay has improved greatly in the last 20 years or so ... when I was a USMC Captain, you definitely were not in it for the money 😁 But, I wouldn't trade the job for any other at the time.

[dmac]

For clarification with respect to the command structure on an aircraft carrier. An aircraft carrier has 2 co-equal commanding officers. Each is considered a combatant commander. The carrier CO commands the ship, while the airwing CO commands the embarked air wing.
Carrier COs go through a nuclear track. Airwing COs go through the air track; Both types would initially command a squadron of aircraft before choosing a track. Those that choose the nuclear track go through nuclear propulsion school, while those that choose the air track would work their way up up the structure of the airwing to CAG and finally the command of an air wing. The biggest difference in terms of the career pipeline is carrier COs really don't fly that much once they go into nuclear propulsion. They need to gain experience in surface ship operations and nuclear propulsion before given command of a carrier.

[HardballAlpha]

My eternal gratitude to then-Captain Ernest E. Christiansen, C.O. of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-by-God-61) for his outstanding leadership throughout Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm and the Defense of the Kurdish Peoples. 1990-1991. True “Battle Efficiency” was verified.

We were designated "The Night Carrier" of the 4 carrier battle groups in the Persian Gulf. Incredible teamwork by the entire Ranger crew and Air Wing 2 with her Tomcats, Intruders, Prowlers, Vikings, Hawkeyes and Sea Kings.

The last deployment before women were allowed onboard combat vessels.

[KylewithaK]

Boatswain Mate is just fine with me lol. You still have a lot of responsibility and leadership, but you’re in the trenches and hands on which is what I love.

[AndrewEvrard-ocig]

The sharpest tool in the shed, co-worker Navy guy of my Army Colonel father. Years later into my career, I found out why the smile on CAG’s face.
I always heard the music, felt the rhythm of 18 hour days. Hoist the colors!

[BrianFitzGerald-TheSkySurfer]

The Captains rank is not "Zero Six" - it's "Oh Six" like in "Officer Level Six".

[nicholasmoore]

I waz a HoD (head of department) for my last 18 years and that was busy enough for me. I have the utmost respect for my captains, even if I personally didn't like one or two, as their job, the massive responsibility for not only crew but vessel, is never ending.

[jamaal]

The second in-command is called the Executive Officer or XO; not 'deputy captain.'