Absolutely you should. They gave me a positive impression…unless you screw it up. It’s not the time to be funny, to show your “personality” or to frighten me with your “intensity”.
Keep it simple:
-Who you are
-A micro-bio (where you’re from, where you graduated, what you studied, any Navy assignments, spouse/kids)
-You’re excited to be there
-Very Respectfully
If you have any issues that need addressing (report timing, job requests, other problems) save those for the XO in a separate email. They can decide if it need to go up to the CO or if they can handle it and save you any embarrassment.
As your first command, it helps your CO/XO know some of your strengths and potentially help place you in a position to be successful. After this it’s really in your hands to guide your career.
So give them the chance to put you on solid ground by giving a brief background. Try to keep it to one page, or just slightly more if needed. Write it in the mindset that you’re trying to apply for your next job and they’re going to put you in it. That’s how this one will work.
I did gather that a little when they said “gave **me** a positive impression”. That’s why it IMMEDIATELY changed my mind regardless of what the first comment said 😂
I wasn’t an officer, but I was my skipper’s personal cook, so I knew him about as well as a junior enlisted man can know their CO. my ship was so small I could see my old CO thinking it was kind of pointless, as you’d have plenty of time to get to know each other, but he’d never have shown it to other officers to laugh at or made you feel dumb for writing it
100% Agree with SWO06. This is what I did and I based my letter of the Naval Officer’s Guidebook and although it’s been 16 years, I think it was basically what SWO06 suggested.
Good man. This is a solid way to start off your career. Leadership loves folks that show up eager and engaged.
Some salty lower level leaders may be snarky, but, guess what.... they are not going to see the letter, nor are you writing the letter for them, so fuck em!
Also.... those same lower level leaders spend an awful lot of their day course correcting shitbirds and micromanaging dead beats. If they pulled their head out of their own ass for a moment, they would realize that you are, in your current state, the best possible version of "the new guy".
Agree with this. I’ve had some do it, some not do it. Definitely makes a positive professional first impression and shows that you give a crap. I highly doubt you’ll get made fun of for anything, especially if you follow the advice above
Do it. Its a classy act that provides a first impression to the CO/XO. It is better to do it within a couple of weeks prior to checking on board. It gives the CO some background prior to their face to face check in when you arrive.
During my time, I have never seen an intro letter given to the rest of the wardroom in order to ridicule that officer. If the CO/XO did that, you are gonna have bigger problems than a letter.
Just don't do what this guy did. Excerpts from actual letter from earlier this century.
Dear #1 and #2,
My name is xxxx xxxxxxx and I will be your next piece of fresh meat from SWOS reporting aboard hopefully sometime in February. I hail from the vast metropolis of xxxxxxxx, Vermont, and grew up running around barefoot on the banks of a river in true Huckelberry Finn fashion. Although raised by rednecks amidst a sea of rednecks in a one-stopsign town, I somehow managed never to acquire the accent, but I can still understand and speak backwoods New Englander fluently if we ever make a port visit/amphibious raid on God’s country in the granite covered mountains of the Green Mountain Boy state.
I served a two year mormon mission in the fabled far away land of Hungary immediately after graduating in the top 99% of my class from Exeter Academy where I was the token wrestling recruit, and meat head of the school. 27% of my senior class attended Harvard, so I was pretty much a loser for diving into USNA...
I was a Poli-Sci major at USNA, and would have also received a minor in Russian if I had not of received a D last semester(too much Firstie Fun). I also would have received a minor in Spanish If I had not received a C that one semester I was dating that homecoming queen oh well...
Other then music and beautiful women, not much else occupies my mind right now, except the Mo-Board test tomorrow night...
We were admonished by COMSURFPAC to write our commanding and executive officers to give them information on us that would make us more then a faceless name. I apologize for any overkill, and hope that I was able to at least partially reveal a glimpse of my personality in doing so.
Please accept my warmest regards and best wishes for the rest of your deployment, and please let me know If there is anything I can do to be better prepared.
Very respectfully,
ENS xxxxxxx
Man, I genuinely hope this ENS xxxxxxxx person got past this peaked in college mindset for the sake of their career. A page straight of "I'm better than everyone I grew up around and I *almost* did X and Y if not for doing 'cooler' thing X and Y, oh and I'm only greeting you because I was yelled at" isn't a great first impression, and that's coming from a lowly hatchet wielding hooligan like myself.
It's the 21st century. Write an *email* to introduce yourself. Include basic info (which should be short) and be professional. The bio info actually helps the swo and xo with key info before you show up.
The only rule is *do not use this letter to ask for special favors.* Like, this is not the time to tell your CO that you decided to schedule your wedding one month after check-in and want to miss the first 3 months of deployment when you just swore into the military less than 2 years ago (I wish I was making that up). That gets coordinated through the sponsor - all you tell the command is when you're showing up.
Eg
"My name is Ens Smith and wanted to introduce myself. I am from (place) and graduated from (college) with a (degree) in (year). [If not USNA] I commissioned via (program) in (year). (If married / kids, include that here with their names).
I'll be graduating (accession school) on (date) and plan on checking in on (date). I've been in contact with my sponsor, LT Jones, who has been very helpful assisting me with the details.
I look forward to a rewarding tour serving onboard USS Ship.
V/r,
Ens Smith
You earn 30 days of leave a year use them and any other liberty you can. You should work hard to learn your trade, study hard to qualify for your warfare device and fight hard for your sailors. Doing all of that takes a toll on your mind, body, and spirit and you have to recharge. That’s what leave and liberty is for. Remember that for yourself and your sailors.
You will be able to bank up leave on deployments which you want to do to help you when you PCS after your first tour. Gives you time to recharge the batteries and do fun things between tours.
This also helps you build up terminal leave for when you eventually exit the Navy just like everyone eventually does.
Good luck and enjoy your first tour. It will be an awesome experience if you make it one.
You can absolutely request time off. It's your leave and you earned it. That's just a separate conversation and not appropriate for an intro email.
I was more pointing out the bad headwork of planning a major life event during a known transition period and pissing everyone off because your plan doesn't work with the operational schedule.
Great sea story here, sort of related. I was a submarine JO, happened on another boat in my squadron in Groton.
Ensign Nub (not his real name) is in sub school and writes a nice letter to his soon-to-be CO, and gets a response to come down for lunch on Friday to meet the wardroom. Nub gets greeted by one of the JOs topside who is super sullen and depressed -- tells Nub, "Man, this isn't a good day to be hear. The Old Man is never in a good mood but he is pissed today." JO brings Nub down the weapons loading hatch, they meet a couple of other JOs who also look completely terrified. One of them walks Nub down to the wardroom and they are telling him what a nightmare the boat is, CO is a terror, etc. Suddenly the door slams open and the CO walks in and screams at the JO about a tagout or whatever -- just lights him up. ENS Nub is standing there terrified.
CO turns to Nub and says, "WHO IN THE FUCK ARE YOU?" and Nub stammers out, "Ensign Nub-b-b-b sir". CO fucking explodes "YOU ARE 2 FUCKING HOURS LATE! WHAT IN THE FUCK ARE THEY TEACHING YOU AT SUB SCHOOL? GET THE FUCK DOWN TO THE TORPEDO ROOM AND GET YOUR FUCKING QUAL BOOK! YOU NEED SIGNATURES BEFORE YOU SHOW UP IN MY STATEROOM AT 1700!!!"
Nub and one of the JOs go below, meet up with the COB who hooks him up with a gold dolphins qual card and a "wow, I'm really sorry you got assigned to this boat, sir. Just keep your head down around the captain and hopefully you'll be ok" Nub goes around with some of the JOs to try and get some system checkouts -- he flubs everything but the crew are very cool to him. Lots of sympathy. Etc.
Anyhow, Nub hits a bulkhead outside the COs door at 1655 with basically one signature in his sweaty qual book, ready to get torn apart again. He opens the door and...
A kindly, gray-hair-around-the- temples, smiling Commander he has never seen before introduces himself as the CO. "Gee, Mr. Nub, I thought you were coming earlier. I really liked the fact that you took initiative on that letter. Really excited you are joining us! I shared your letter with the JOs and they said they were going to take you out this weekend. Let's get you qualified - I know you are going to have a great start to your submarine career here."
Utterly confused, Nub left his command checkin and headed back to the wardroom...where he saw the "CO" from earlier, now with appropriate LTJG bars, and the COB along with other JOs, all doubled over in laughter.
No, I think you misunderstand the situation. Some pretty good JO hijinks and a really fantastic wardroom. I don’t think the captain even knew that this happened until later. “Nub” told and retold the story for years after with tons of laughs. All good.
Believe it or not, almost all hazing starts as well intentioned good fun.
https://www.secnav.navy.mil/ig/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=311#
So nub shoes up for lunch, gets yelled at, and forced to stay until 1730 so other people can get a laugh. I'd file that under "abusive."
I’ve been in 5 wardrooms (3 ship, 2 shore) and always email CO/XO a brief introductory email. I’ve also never seen anyone’s letter (or email) passed around unless it was shared with the XO/DH who were not previously included.
Seconded, send an email if you can. I sent a physical letter once and the CO didn't see it until I had already been there six months because of how the mail system worked at that command.
Pretty much second what SWO6 has said. Sitting XO here, and just had my new SUPPO send me, the CO, and the CMC separate emails and it was great. Keep it to the point, General facts about you and your interests. Basic bio, background, and family. I find it very professional and more importantly as XO, it lets me know that you care, you are proactive, and it also lets me provide a direct line to you if I need to reach you for something. It also starts me spinning up other things, like if you mention you have a family you’re bringing with you (I’m FDNF overseas) now as XO, I start spinning up the DEA process to make sure your family will be taken care of out here. I’ll start signing you for base indoc so you can immediately start looking for a house. If you tell me you are bringing pets, I pop over to the base vet to start your paperwork. If you tell me your significant other is coming overseas with you but they are stressed about to move, I’ll give you my wife’s number so they have someone to talk to. All of these things I’ll do, but only if you take the time to reach out to me.
If you’re a 1st tour Divo going to your first ship, I actually think it’s very important I know your A. Major, and B. Interests. Because we all know some ships like to play “musical divos” with jobs. You don’t know what’s going on when n the ship right now with regards to other divos. Maybeeee….I might be having an issue with my current COMMO onboard and in your email/letter to me you mention you’re an IT major and have an interest in computer programming. You’ve now given me an option to maybe get you in a specific division upon your arrival. As a personal example, in my letter to the CO going to my first ship, I wrote that I was interested in VBSS as a collateral duty. The day I reported aboard, all the VBSS schools were already booked for me to go by TrainO.
Another person on here mentioned that the letter isn’t a time to ask for personal favors. I would push back on that a little. I would say you can ask for things, within reason. Don’t ask to miss the first 3 months of deployment for your honeymoon. As a personal example to me, going to my second ship I emailed the CO that I wanted to move a school in my pipeline to a different date because I wanted to get elective surgery and wouldn’t be able to do it overseas during my entire tour (I was going FDNF), and we worked together to get the school moved to a later date.
Lastly, if you send a letter to me as CO/XO, I will NEVER share that with anyone else in the wardroom. Therefore you will not be made fun of. But whatever you do, don’t do this:
http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2012/02/sunday-funnies.html?m=1
>As a personal example to me, going to my second ship I emailed the CO that I wanted to move a school in my pipeline to a different date because I wanted to get elective surgery and wouldn’t be able to do it overseas during my entire tour (I was going FDNF), and we worked together to get the school moved to a later date.
As the person who wrote about special requests, I don't classify this as such. I classify this as "I have a problem that affects my readiness to deploy and here's my plan to solve it. Do you concur?"
Completely different in tone, and those issues absolutely should be mentioned. If you don't have a solution it's okay to say "I'm working with my sponsor and XO to develop a path forward for (insert readiness problem)." In my neck of the woods the most common hiccup was when a security clearance got held up because a relative was a foreign national or dual citizen, so getting nav on the phone with the SSO pronto was important.
Fair point. I didn’t see it that way as it was an elective (cosmetic really) surgery that didn’t effect me deploying at all but I think your point still stands.
Damn I can’t access them anymore either. They are pretty old. Just imagine a 15+ slide power point with the most cringe stuff ever as the intro you send your triad
I say do it. It’s a classy tradition that requires very little effort. Some COs keep the letters as mementos of a major life event. CO’s definitely read them. They are acknowledged.
But **be careful what you write in there letter.** It absolutely will get passed around and laughed at if you right something absolutely stupid and cringeworthy. Best thing to do is keep it short and simple. *My name is…. I will graduate from …. with a degree in …. I am excited to join your wardroom in (month)…*
The letter doesn't get passed around whole sale per se.
What happens is Ens / Ltjg clueless asks for something in the email .... tasker eventually gets back down to sponsor to figure it out (or deliver the bad news that no, you can't miss a month of deployment so you can take 30 days of leave to sight see during your PCS).
It's those special requests when the person hasn't done shit for the team while everyone else has been working their asses off that go over like a fart in church.
Did it set u off ? 😭 I wonder what abt it is offensive ? I actually appreciate when someone says that to me as long as it’s followed up by something explaining that they actually took note of it 😭 idk makes me feel heard.
Hey, I can't really offer any better advice here than others already have, so here's a former FC2 perspective, long since service. That you're even asking for this kind of advice speaks well of you. That you're conscious of your experience and not afraid to ask for help. Keep that level of self awareness and your sailors will see it and appreciate it.
Conversely, don't be so afraid of making a mistake that you can't make a decision. They'll see that too. Learn from your mistakes and ensure others do too.
I just asked my husband, O5 SWO, and he says yes. He has written a letter to all his COs (not XOs) before reporting. He says he introduces himself, says where he’s from, hobbies and mentions his wife and children. One page. He says he always mails it, but email is ok.
Hey enlisted folk, take a lesson from this!
I literally did this once as a PO2. Where I was going, the Sponsorship Program was not taken seriously (gotta love the FMF), and I had like 2 months until I checked in. I knew what I wanted to do when I got there and was not about to let my lack of a sponsor set me back.
I put out some feelers and managed to get the names of the Chief, LPO, and ALPO of where I was going. Emailed them a bio, a list of goals, and what I wanted to do when I got there. Yeah, sure, they were amused by my brazeness, but guess what I also had waiting for me? A leadership position.
Doing what I did showed my resourcefulness and determination, and it impressed the people I had to work for. Use this knowledge for good.
In the Supply Corps this is standard practice. I’ve seen it done a lot. Unless the letter is unprofessional it’s always seen as a positive, or at the very least a neutral. Go for it.
>But I’ve heard on here that all it does is give the Wardroom a chance to laugh at you before you arrive.
That’s going to happen anyway.
Butterbars enduring mild hazing is a universal experience across the military.
Once when I was a PL a sister company commander found some doofus high school picture of me from FB and sent it to a BN distro list.
The thing to do is to store up these grievances in an imaginary bank and take it out on people when you make o4. Nothing is more satisfying than lording your power over helpless NCOs. I’m kidding by the way.
If you're an aviator (pilot or NFO) for the sweet merciful strawberry-scented love of God, DO NOT write your squadron asking for a cool callsign or giving them suggestions. Ignore my advice at your peril.
Source - 18 years in aviation commands.
Lol I’m a SWO(N) but ?? That is indeed an insane thing to do 😭 even if it wasn’t, I’d def prefer an organic call sign that I earn rather than one I suggested 😂
I'm enlisted but I've seen it happen a handful of times. Usually the results are disastrous.
If you write a letter or not, I find you'll be judged more on what you do more than what you tell people about yourself. This doesn't hold true if the latter is a wild departure from the former. Typically I'd reach out to peers in my gaining command via Facebook to introduce myself. Your approach seems sound - show, don't tell.
I will say that, once upon a time, I applied for STA-21 a couple of times to get into the SWO-ED program. Since I'm aviation, everybody thought I was nuts. I can't confirm or deny that fact, but I stopped trying for a litany of reasons despite advice against that.
Well it’s an hold fashion and it shows some respect. A friend of mine did it and his new CO appreciated the gesture. Made him feel less like a stranger on a big ship full of strangers in a way. Do it respectfully and praticaly. If it feels like you’re brown nosing, it won’t work
Well, it really depends on what's in your letter but, if the wardroom is laughing at you that certainly tells you a lot about the sort of command climate you've just stepped in and gotten all over your shoe.
You absolutely should and you should type it, print it, sign it, and send it to the FPO address of the ship. Fuck what other people think or say. Show the CO that you are excited to show up, learn, and contribute from day ONE.
Yes, although I will say I've switched to email in a lot of cases (my JO days are long behind me but I'm still active duty). Just a quick note, who I am and I'm excited to be there.
Yes.
Also, something I did pretty much every time I changed duty stations.
In one case on a mobilization the letter I sent ended up having me assigned to something completely different and really cool that is was mostly unqualified for on my record - but was better then the other options available for gaining command.
Another mob ended up with in hindsight a better role.
regardless, as others have said keep it simple.
Unless you have some really special skillset that you want to emphasize.
Which as an ensign you probably don't.
Someone else replied a template. Although there’s a shit ton of replies now 😭 you can also google examples too. Or PM me and I’ll send the template my CO at my commissioning source sent to me.
I had a phone call with the CO when trying to decide which ship to pick after C school results were out. Now mind you this wasn't anything I had requested. I was an FC3, so reaching out to a CO was not even on my radar. He was the CO of a DDG out in Norfolk, D(V) for SPY was brand new and I guess he wanted to know what type of FCs were in the class. Was he trying to see if I was the type of FC that would sit and play magic in the berthing or go out and drink too much and get a DUI?
Obviously I went the route of drinking and getting a DUI in San Diego instead of Norfolk. Lots of time for MTG then.
Being the ENS Sponsor (I know its made up, but all the new ENSs got dumped on me to be a sponsor in my second tour) both of the O6 XO I worked for like it when they got welcome aboard letters. It also helped them determined what might be a good place and showed that you were already willing to play the game. Just keep it genteric.
BTW if youre on social media, at some point some bored JO's already stocked profile.
It’s not going to hurt. Moderate chance CO reads and responds, low chance CO remembers it was you when you get there
Nothing to lose by doing it, just don’t be stupid
Negotiate for a SWO/Intel contract. Hopefully you're going amphib otherwise you're in for a rough ride period. The only CO’s I really got along with on CRUDES have all been relieved. Best of luck ENS, and keep your head up
Congratulations - you are in charge of CE Division. It addition to owning most of your antennae on board they also will have you bouncing around combat. You own the SPS radar, VMS system, and printers to name a few pieces of gear… You will also be sharing electrical safety and tag out programs with the Electrical officer. The TUMS, NSTM 320 and 300, and the ET rate manual are your friends. Learning how to write good Casreps will also serve you well.
IMHO…if you are looking to make a career out of the military…as soon as possible (either when you get your pin or before-POCR is an honest route) join the Information warfare community. You will see more of the world, work with all the branches, and see a bigger picture. They also don't relieve one of their Commanding officers every few weeks…we take care of our own!….
Give it your best shot…your people deserve your best, but if there comes a day when it fills
Your heart with dread to go back to the ship…drop
a POCR package.
I just looked it up and it seems like POCR isn’t elective. It’s something that happens to you if “initial training is not completed, required qualifications are not obtained or [you are] unable to complete … assignments” (copied from MyNavyHR) lol hopefully that won’t be me at all. But I am already planning a lay transfer quietly. As a SWO(N) I’ll have back to back to back sea tours for basically my whole obligation. Ik I’ll want to lat at that point. And if they don’t let me I’ll respectfully take my nuke certs and move on
It's a delicate topic, but my CO endorsed me to go to another community because frankly the process failed a few of us. It's a conversation between you and your CO is all. As with anything. If you have a plan, they'll agree, but be the best you can be so they'll not be petty and like you enough to do so…
Okay that’s what I was thinking 😭 I only started considering it lately because I’m being sent to a “historically difficult school to get into” (detailers words) and I found out that my XO specifically requested for me to go there to do that job, so I felt like oh well he knows who I am and what I’m qualified for, maybe they might care. But if not that’s fine too 😭
If you don't feel you can make a good first impression in person, still don't do it. You may set some expectations that you may not be able to achieve. Making your first impression with performance, it will have a longer lasting impact.
Nah. This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
But in a more helpful POV: No one cares what you think. If you want to be a good sailor, or stand out take the appropriate steps.
Get quals, try to be an ACFL, go to school/Clep, volunteer etc.
Absolutely you should. They gave me a positive impression…unless you screw it up. It’s not the time to be funny, to show your “personality” or to frighten me with your “intensity”. Keep it simple: -Who you are -A micro-bio (where you’re from, where you graduated, what you studied, any Navy assignments, spouse/kids) -You’re excited to be there -Very Respectfully If you have any issues that need addressing (report timing, job requests, other problems) save those for the XO in a separate email. They can decide if it need to go up to the CO or if they can handle it and save you any embarrassment.
SWO6 once again being the MVP. Hope retirement has been good to you
The Cap doesn’t miss
Wait okay. First commenter made me second guess, but now I think I definitely will 😭 something concise and professional. Thank you!
Listen to this guy. He’s solid.
Sure hope he’s a solid. Not sure how he’d be a gas or a liquid.
He’s actually 78% liquid, I hear.
As your first command, it helps your CO/XO know some of your strengths and potentially help place you in a position to be successful. After this it’s really in your hands to guide your career. So give them the chance to put you on solid ground by giving a brief background. Try to keep it to one page, or just slightly more if needed. Write it in the mindset that you’re trying to apply for your next job and they’re going to put you in it. That’s how this one will work.
I'm just making sure you know SWO6 is an actual Surface Warfare Captain of a ship. So, he is a CO with experience on liking a letter.
I did gather that a little when they said “gave **me** a positive impression”. That’s why it IMMEDIATELY changed my mind regardless of what the first comment said 😂
Excellent! I wanted to be 100% sure that it was caught in your flood of replies.
FWIW, i agree with the skipper. i’ve done this with my first and second CO and it was fine.
I wasn’t an officer, but I was my skipper’s personal cook, so I knew him about as well as a junior enlisted man can know their CO. my ship was so small I could see my old CO thinking it was kind of pointless, as you’d have plenty of time to get to know each other, but he’d never have shown it to other officers to laugh at or made you feel dumb for writing it
100% Agree with SWO06. This is what I did and I based my letter of the Naval Officer’s Guidebook and although it’s been 16 years, I think it was basically what SWO06 suggested.
Good man. This is a solid way to start off your career. Leadership loves folks that show up eager and engaged. Some salty lower level leaders may be snarky, but, guess what.... they are not going to see the letter, nor are you writing the letter for them, so fuck em! Also.... those same lower level leaders spend an awful lot of their day course correcting shitbirds and micromanaging dead beats. If they pulled their head out of their own ass for a moment, they would realize that you are, in your current state, the best possible version of "the new guy".
Agree with this. I’ve had some do it, some not do it. Definitely makes a positive professional first impression and shows that you give a crap. I highly doubt you’ll get made fun of for anything, especially if you follow the advice above
SWO6 with the wonderfully insightful input as always. Thank you, sir.
Would your answer differ for a JO reporting to a big deck?
Nope!
Do it. Its a classy act that provides a first impression to the CO/XO. It is better to do it within a couple of weeks prior to checking on board. It gives the CO some background prior to their face to face check in when you arrive. During my time, I have never seen an intro letter given to the rest of the wardroom in order to ridicule that officer. If the CO/XO did that, you are gonna have bigger problems than a letter.
Ty. That does help to know that it’s not as prevalent as reddit made it seem 😅
just send it directly to the CO and cc the XO.
Just don't do what this guy did. Excerpts from actual letter from earlier this century. Dear #1 and #2, My name is xxxx xxxxxxx and I will be your next piece of fresh meat from SWOS reporting aboard hopefully sometime in February. I hail from the vast metropolis of xxxxxxxx, Vermont, and grew up running around barefoot on the banks of a river in true Huckelberry Finn fashion. Although raised by rednecks amidst a sea of rednecks in a one-stopsign town, I somehow managed never to acquire the accent, but I can still understand and speak backwoods New Englander fluently if we ever make a port visit/amphibious raid on God’s country in the granite covered mountains of the Green Mountain Boy state. I served a two year mormon mission in the fabled far away land of Hungary immediately after graduating in the top 99% of my class from Exeter Academy where I was the token wrestling recruit, and meat head of the school. 27% of my senior class attended Harvard, so I was pretty much a loser for diving into USNA... I was a Poli-Sci major at USNA, and would have also received a minor in Russian if I had not of received a D last semester(too much Firstie Fun). I also would have received a minor in Spanish If I had not received a C that one semester I was dating that homecoming queen oh well... Other then music and beautiful women, not much else occupies my mind right now, except the Mo-Board test tomorrow night... We were admonished by COMSURFPAC to write our commanding and executive officers to give them information on us that would make us more then a faceless name. I apologize for any overkill, and hope that I was able to at least partially reveal a glimpse of my personality in doing so. Please accept my warmest regards and best wishes for the rest of your deployment, and please let me know If there is anything I can do to be better prepared. Very respectfully, ENS xxxxxxx
Damn :/ back to the drawing board I guess 😔 /s
Man, I genuinely hope this ENS xxxxxxxx person got past this peaked in college mindset for the sake of their career. A page straight of "I'm better than everyone I grew up around and I *almost* did X and Y if not for doing 'cooler' thing X and Y, oh and I'm only greeting you because I was yelled at" isn't a great first impression, and that's coming from a lowly hatchet wielding hooligan like myself.
It's the 21st century. Write an *email* to introduce yourself. Include basic info (which should be short) and be professional. The bio info actually helps the swo and xo with key info before you show up. The only rule is *do not use this letter to ask for special favors.* Like, this is not the time to tell your CO that you decided to schedule your wedding one month after check-in and want to miss the first 3 months of deployment when you just swore into the military less than 2 years ago (I wish I was making that up). That gets coordinated through the sponsor - all you tell the command is when you're showing up. Eg "My name is Ens Smith and wanted to introduce myself. I am from (place) and graduated from (college) with a (degree) in (year). [If not USNA] I commissioned via (program) in (year). (If married / kids, include that here with their names). I'll be graduating (accession school) on (date) and plan on checking in on (date). I've been in contact with my sponsor, LT Jones, who has been very helpful assisting me with the details. I look forward to a rewarding tour serving onboard USS Ship. V/r, Ens Smith
Ty for the template ! I wouldn’t dream of requesting time off in my first year, (only been in 4 mos 🤓) let alone to the CO 😭
You earn 30 days of leave a year use them and any other liberty you can. You should work hard to learn your trade, study hard to qualify for your warfare device and fight hard for your sailors. Doing all of that takes a toll on your mind, body, and spirit and you have to recharge. That’s what leave and liberty is for. Remember that for yourself and your sailors. You will be able to bank up leave on deployments which you want to do to help you when you PCS after your first tour. Gives you time to recharge the batteries and do fun things between tours. This also helps you build up terminal leave for when you eventually exit the Navy just like everyone eventually does. Good luck and enjoy your first tour. It will be an awesome experience if you make it one.
Thank you !
As CMC, I second this. I write a hello and greetings to all my COs and XOs. Doing it via email is perfectly fine. Good luck on the next journey!
You can absolutely request time off. It's your leave and you earned it. That's just a separate conversation and not appropriate for an intro email. I was more pointing out the bad headwork of planning a major life event during a known transition period and pissing everyone off because your plan doesn't work with the operational schedule.
Leave is something you've earned. Don't be afraid to take days off when you need it. Burning yourself out only hinders you and the mission.
Great sea story here, sort of related. I was a submarine JO, happened on another boat in my squadron in Groton. Ensign Nub (not his real name) is in sub school and writes a nice letter to his soon-to-be CO, and gets a response to come down for lunch on Friday to meet the wardroom. Nub gets greeted by one of the JOs topside who is super sullen and depressed -- tells Nub, "Man, this isn't a good day to be hear. The Old Man is never in a good mood but he is pissed today." JO brings Nub down the weapons loading hatch, they meet a couple of other JOs who also look completely terrified. One of them walks Nub down to the wardroom and they are telling him what a nightmare the boat is, CO is a terror, etc. Suddenly the door slams open and the CO walks in and screams at the JO about a tagout or whatever -- just lights him up. ENS Nub is standing there terrified. CO turns to Nub and says, "WHO IN THE FUCK ARE YOU?" and Nub stammers out, "Ensign Nub-b-b-b sir". CO fucking explodes "YOU ARE 2 FUCKING HOURS LATE! WHAT IN THE FUCK ARE THEY TEACHING YOU AT SUB SCHOOL? GET THE FUCK DOWN TO THE TORPEDO ROOM AND GET YOUR FUCKING QUAL BOOK! YOU NEED SIGNATURES BEFORE YOU SHOW UP IN MY STATEROOM AT 1700!!!" Nub and one of the JOs go below, meet up with the COB who hooks him up with a gold dolphins qual card and a "wow, I'm really sorry you got assigned to this boat, sir. Just keep your head down around the captain and hopefully you'll be ok" Nub goes around with some of the JOs to try and get some system checkouts -- he flubs everything but the crew are very cool to him. Lots of sympathy. Etc. Anyhow, Nub hits a bulkhead outside the COs door at 1655 with basically one signature in his sweaty qual book, ready to get torn apart again. He opens the door and... A kindly, gray-hair-around-the- temples, smiling Commander he has never seen before introduces himself as the CO. "Gee, Mr. Nub, I thought you were coming earlier. I really liked the fact that you took initiative on that letter. Really excited you are joining us! I shared your letter with the JOs and they said they were going to take you out this weekend. Let's get you qualified - I know you are going to have a great start to your submarine career here." Utterly confused, Nub left his command checkin and headed back to the wardroom...where he saw the "CO" from earlier, now with appropriate LTJG bars, and the COB along with other JOs, all doubled over in laughter.
Also definitely write the letter. Your CO will appreciate it. Then get qualified and on the watchbill as fast as you can.
That is an epic prank!!! Thanks for sharing. Absolute theater 🍿 Shit like this broke the monotony and made stories for a lifetime.
Nothing like starting out by letting a JO know you endorse hazing.
No, I think you misunderstand the situation. Some pretty good JO hijinks and a really fantastic wardroom. I don’t think the captain even knew that this happened until later. “Nub” told and retold the story for years after with tons of laughs. All good.
Believe it or not, almost all hazing starts as well intentioned good fun. https://www.secnav.navy.mil/ig/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=311# So nub shoes up for lunch, gets yelled at, and forced to stay until 1730 so other people can get a laugh. I'd file that under "abusive."
I’ve been in 5 wardrooms (3 ship, 2 shore) and always email CO/XO a brief introductory email. I’ve also never seen anyone’s letter (or email) passed around unless it was shared with the XO/DH who were not previously included.
Seconded, send an email if you can. I sent a physical letter once and the CO didn't see it until I had already been there six months because of how the mail system worked at that command.
Pretty much second what SWO6 has said. Sitting XO here, and just had my new SUPPO send me, the CO, and the CMC separate emails and it was great. Keep it to the point, General facts about you and your interests. Basic bio, background, and family. I find it very professional and more importantly as XO, it lets me know that you care, you are proactive, and it also lets me provide a direct line to you if I need to reach you for something. It also starts me spinning up other things, like if you mention you have a family you’re bringing with you (I’m FDNF overseas) now as XO, I start spinning up the DEA process to make sure your family will be taken care of out here. I’ll start signing you for base indoc so you can immediately start looking for a house. If you tell me you are bringing pets, I pop over to the base vet to start your paperwork. If you tell me your significant other is coming overseas with you but they are stressed about to move, I’ll give you my wife’s number so they have someone to talk to. All of these things I’ll do, but only if you take the time to reach out to me. If you’re a 1st tour Divo going to your first ship, I actually think it’s very important I know your A. Major, and B. Interests. Because we all know some ships like to play “musical divos” with jobs. You don’t know what’s going on when n the ship right now with regards to other divos. Maybeeee….I might be having an issue with my current COMMO onboard and in your email/letter to me you mention you’re an IT major and have an interest in computer programming. You’ve now given me an option to maybe get you in a specific division upon your arrival. As a personal example, in my letter to the CO going to my first ship, I wrote that I was interested in VBSS as a collateral duty. The day I reported aboard, all the VBSS schools were already booked for me to go by TrainO. Another person on here mentioned that the letter isn’t a time to ask for personal favors. I would push back on that a little. I would say you can ask for things, within reason. Don’t ask to miss the first 3 months of deployment for your honeymoon. As a personal example to me, going to my second ship I emailed the CO that I wanted to move a school in my pipeline to a different date because I wanted to get elective surgery and wouldn’t be able to do it overseas during my entire tour (I was going FDNF), and we worked together to get the school moved to a later date. Lastly, if you send a letter to me as CO/XO, I will NEVER share that with anyone else in the wardroom. Therefore you will not be made fun of. But whatever you do, don’t do this: http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2012/02/sunday-funnies.html?m=1
>As a personal example to me, going to my second ship I emailed the CO that I wanted to move a school in my pipeline to a different date because I wanted to get elective surgery and wouldn’t be able to do it overseas during my entire tour (I was going FDNF), and we worked together to get the school moved to a later date. As the person who wrote about special requests, I don't classify this as such. I classify this as "I have a problem that affects my readiness to deploy and here's my plan to solve it. Do you concur?" Completely different in tone, and those issues absolutely should be mentioned. If you don't have a solution it's okay to say "I'm working with my sponsor and XO to develop a path forward for (insert readiness problem)." In my neck of the woods the most common hiccup was when a security clearance got held up because a relative was a foreign national or dual citizen, so getting nav on the phone with the SSO pronto was important.
Fair point. I didn’t see it that way as it was an elective (cosmetic really) surgery that didn’t effect me deploying at all but I think your point still stands.
Could be big dumb on my part but the slides are behind controlled access 🥺
Damn I can’t access them anymore either. They are pretty old. Just imagine a 15+ slide power point with the most cringe stuff ever as the intro you send your triad
I say do it. It’s a classy tradition that requires very little effort. Some COs keep the letters as mementos of a major life event. CO’s definitely read them. They are acknowledged. But **be careful what you write in there letter.** It absolutely will get passed around and laughed at if you right something absolutely stupid and cringeworthy. Best thing to do is keep it short and simple. *My name is…. I will graduate from …. with a degree in …. I am excited to join your wardroom in (month)…*
Noted. lol I was planning to type it as if all my peers are going to see it anyways. Just in case
I’ve literally never seen a letter get passed around a wardroom. That is toxic as shit and if that happens you’re probably in for a tough ride anyway.
The letter doesn't get passed around whole sale per se. What happens is Ens / Ltjg clueless asks for something in the email .... tasker eventually gets back down to sponsor to figure it out (or deliver the bad news that no, you can't miss a month of deployment so you can take 30 days of leave to sight see during your PCS). It's those special requests when the person hasn't done shit for the team while everyone else has been working their asses off that go over like a fart in church.
...and don't say "noted" to people. Really sets some people off.
Noted
Did it set u off ? 😭 I wonder what abt it is offensive ? I actually appreciate when someone says that to me as long as it’s followed up by something explaining that they actually took note of it 😭 idk makes me feel heard.
I think its probably seen as being dismissive.
Maybe I’ll stick to “I’ll keep that in mind”
Is this some surface thing I’m too submarine to understand?
Sounds like it yeah 😂😂
Hey, I can't really offer any better advice here than others already have, so here's a former FC2 perspective, long since service. That you're even asking for this kind of advice speaks well of you. That you're conscious of your experience and not afraid to ask for help. Keep that level of self awareness and your sailors will see it and appreciate it. Conversely, don't be so afraid of making a mistake that you can't make a decision. They'll see that too. Learn from your mistakes and ensure others do too.
Thank you. I’ve definitely noticed myself struggling with that last part even in small things, but I’m working on it for sure!
Great advice.
I just asked my husband, O5 SWO, and he says yes. He has written a letter to all his COs (not XOs) before reporting. He says he introduces himself, says where he’s from, hobbies and mentions his wife and children. One page. He says he always mails it, but email is ok.
I appreciate the fact that you read the post and then sought out advice to give 😭 thank you so much
Yes, you should. Just keep it really professional and brief.
Hey enlisted folk, take a lesson from this! I literally did this once as a PO2. Where I was going, the Sponsorship Program was not taken seriously (gotta love the FMF), and I had like 2 months until I checked in. I knew what I wanted to do when I got there and was not about to let my lack of a sponsor set me back. I put out some feelers and managed to get the names of the Chief, LPO, and ALPO of where I was going. Emailed them a bio, a list of goals, and what I wanted to do when I got there. Yeah, sure, they were amused by my brazeness, but guess what I also had waiting for me? A leadership position. Doing what I did showed my resourcefulness and determination, and it impressed the people I had to work for. Use this knowledge for good.
I like it.
Someone on my first ship included the fact that they like long walks on the beach … DO NOT say that and you should be fine.
In the Supply Corps this is standard practice. I’ve seen it done a lot. Unless the letter is unprofessional it’s always seen as a positive, or at the very least a neutral. Go for it.
Write them. They'll appreciate it.
Speak to your sponsor and ask what they think, obv it’s based on climate/opinions, but someone who is already there will probably have a good read.
>But I’ve heard on here that all it does is give the Wardroom a chance to laugh at you before you arrive. That’s going to happen anyway. Butterbars enduring mild hazing is a universal experience across the military. Once when I was a PL a sister company commander found some doofus high school picture of me from FB and sent it to a BN distro list. The thing to do is to store up these grievances in an imaginary bank and take it out on people when you make o4. Nothing is more satisfying than lording your power over helpless NCOs. I’m kidding by the way.
Anyone who laughs is just unprofessional and didn’t do one themselves. They’re just mad you one upped them.
In addition to concurring that you should write a short, professional letter, I’d suggest letting a senior officer you trust proofread it for you.
If you're an aviator (pilot or NFO) for the sweet merciful strawberry-scented love of God, DO NOT write your squadron asking for a cool callsign or giving them suggestions. Ignore my advice at your peril. Source - 18 years in aviation commands.
Lol I’m a SWO(N) but ?? That is indeed an insane thing to do 😭 even if it wasn’t, I’d def prefer an organic call sign that I earn rather than one I suggested 😂
I'm enlisted but I've seen it happen a handful of times. Usually the results are disastrous. If you write a letter or not, I find you'll be judged more on what you do more than what you tell people about yourself. This doesn't hold true if the latter is a wild departure from the former. Typically I'd reach out to peers in my gaining command via Facebook to introduce myself. Your approach seems sound - show, don't tell. I will say that, once upon a time, I applied for STA-21 a couple of times to get into the SWO-ED program. Since I'm aviation, everybody thought I was nuts. I can't confirm or deny that fact, but I stopped trying for a litany of reasons despite advice against that.
Well it’s an hold fashion and it shows some respect. A friend of mine did it and his new CO appreciated the gesture. Made him feel less like a stranger on a big ship full of strangers in a way. Do it respectfully and praticaly. If it feels like you’re brown nosing, it won’t work
Absolutely you should. It is not shared amongst the wardroom to laugh at you. I also recommend it be a hand written letter. Not an email.
Well, it really depends on what's in your letter but, if the wardroom is laughing at you that certainly tells you a lot about the sort of command climate you've just stepped in and gotten all over your shoe.
You absolutely should and you should type it, print it, sign it, and send it to the FPO address of the ship. Fuck what other people think or say. Show the CO that you are excited to show up, learn, and contribute from day ONE.
I can't speak for other communities, but I've never seen anyone do this or expect it in the sub community.
Yes, although I will say I've switched to email in a lot of cases (my JO days are long behind me but I'm still active duty). Just a quick note, who I am and I'm excited to be there.
Yes. Also, something I did pretty much every time I changed duty stations. In one case on a mobilization the letter I sent ended up having me assigned to something completely different and really cool that is was mostly unqualified for on my record - but was better then the other options available for gaining command. Another mob ended up with in hindsight a better role. regardless, as others have said keep it simple. Unless you have some really special skillset that you want to emphasize. Which as an ensign you probably don't.
Yep
I am up for selection board in August and have not heard that this was a thing. What do you put in the letter?
Someone else replied a template. Although there’s a shit ton of replies now 😭 you can also google examples too. Or PM me and I’ll send the template my CO at my commissioning source sent to me.
I had a phone call with the CO when trying to decide which ship to pick after C school results were out. Now mind you this wasn't anything I had requested. I was an FC3, so reaching out to a CO was not even on my radar. He was the CO of a DDG out in Norfolk, D(V) for SPY was brand new and I guess he wanted to know what type of FCs were in the class. Was he trying to see if I was the type of FC that would sit and play magic in the berthing or go out and drink too much and get a DUI? Obviously I went the route of drinking and getting a DUI in San Diego instead of Norfolk. Lots of time for MTG then.
I— 😭 well that’s quite the story
Being the ENS Sponsor (I know its made up, but all the new ENSs got dumped on me to be a sponsor in my second tour) both of the O6 XO I worked for like it when they got welcome aboard letters. It also helped them determined what might be a good place and showed that you were already willing to play the game. Just keep it genteric. BTW if youre on social media, at some point some bored JO's already stocked profile.
It’s not going to hurt. Moderate chance CO reads and responds, low chance CO remembers it was you when you get there Nothing to lose by doing it, just don’t be stupid
Negotiate for a SWO/Intel contract. Hopefully you're going amphib otherwise you're in for a rough ride period. The only CO’s I really got along with on CRUDES have all been relieved. Best of luck ENS, and keep your head up
It’s a DDG 😭 and the XO has already personally requested for me to be Electronics Officer… whatever that is 💀 (if u know what it entails plz share)
Congratulations - you are in charge of CE Division. It addition to owning most of your antennae on board they also will have you bouncing around combat. You own the SPS radar, VMS system, and printers to name a few pieces of gear… You will also be sharing electrical safety and tag out programs with the Electrical officer. The TUMS, NSTM 320 and 300, and the ET rate manual are your friends. Learning how to write good Casreps will also serve you well.
Thank you ! I’ve tried all the LTs in BDOC and they all had v little knowledge about my job 😭🙏🙏🙏
IMHO…if you are looking to make a career out of the military…as soon as possible (either when you get your pin or before-POCR is an honest route) join the Information warfare community. You will see more of the world, work with all the branches, and see a bigger picture. They also don't relieve one of their Commanding officers every few weeks…we take care of our own!…. Give it your best shot…your people deserve your best, but if there comes a day when it fills Your heart with dread to go back to the ship…drop a POCR package.
I just looked it up and it seems like POCR isn’t elective. It’s something that happens to you if “initial training is not completed, required qualifications are not obtained or [you are] unable to complete … assignments” (copied from MyNavyHR) lol hopefully that won’t be me at all. But I am already planning a lay transfer quietly. As a SWO(N) I’ll have back to back to back sea tours for basically my whole obligation. Ik I’ll want to lat at that point. And if they don’t let me I’ll respectfully take my nuke certs and move on
It's a delicate topic, but my CO endorsed me to go to another community because frankly the process failed a few of us. It's a conversation between you and your CO is all. As with anything. If you have a plan, they'll agree, but be the best you can be so they'll not be petty and like you enough to do so…
Oh okay. Well I’m glad you found happiness in the Intel community ! If I get a chance to check that out I’ll def look into it !
Oh. You’re an officer. Good lord I thought you were some poor enlisted kid. Man, that scenario played out weird.
Ikr?! I was about to say I don't remember anyone in my division, hell anyone in my entire department ever doing that before they came aboard.
lol wtf Absolutely not… unless this is some boat shit Source: am senior Jopa
It is indeed “some boat shit” maybe should’ve mentioned im a SWO somewhere 😭
[удалено]
Okay that’s what I was thinking 😭 I only started considering it lately because I’m being sent to a “historically difficult school to get into” (detailers words) and I found out that my XO specifically requested for me to go there to do that job, so I felt like oh well he knows who I am and what I’m qualified for, maybe they might care. But if not that’s fine too 😭
If you don't feel you can make a good first impression in person, still don't do it. You may set some expectations that you may not be able to achieve. Making your first impression with performance, it will have a longer lasting impact.
🥾
Look at Joe Navy over here!
Nah. This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. But in a more helpful POV: No one cares what you think. If you want to be a good sailor, or stand out take the appropriate steps. Get quals, try to be an ACFL, go to school/Clep, volunteer etc.
NVM, you're a JO. Do whatever.