Surface Warfare Officer - Nuclear Trained

The primary purpose of the SWO(N) community is to maintain a cadre of Surface Warfare Officers with a sub-specialty in nuclear power.  These officers serve alternate tours in conventional surface ships (as Division Officers, Department Heads, Executive Officers, and Commanding Officers) and in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers where they lead Sailors in operating and maintaining the nuclear propulsion plants.

This career path produces officers competitive for Major Command and Flag rank.  Along the way, SWO(N)s enjoy rewarding tours in a variety of afloat and ashore billets.  Their skills and importance to the nation's maritime strategy are well-respected and well-compensated by the Navy.

This site is maintained to provide SWO(N) officers with the most up-to-date information that will assist them in making educated career management choices.

SWO(N) Community Brief​​ (Updated 8 January 2025)

SWO(N) Community Management Team:
The SWO(N) Community Management Team consists of Detailers, Placement Officers, and the Community Manager in Millington, TN as well as the Program Manager in Washington, D.C.  This team of SWO(N)s works to balance the sides of the detailing triad to ensure continued SWO(N) health at the individual and at the community levels.

Surface Nuclear Officer Programs & Placement (PERS-424/41N) - (901) 874-3940 (o) & (901) 451-2629 (c)

Surface Nuclear Officer Detailer (PERS-412N) - (901) 874-3896

Surface Nuclear Officer Detailer (PERS-412O) - (901) 874-4162

Surface Nuclear Officer Community Manager (PERS-42D1/41N1) - (901) 874-3145

Surface Nuclear Officer Program Manager (N133C2) - (703) 604-5490

Con​tact Us

SWO(N) Pay and Compensation:
The Nuclear Officer Bonus & Incentive Pay Program (NOBIP) instruction, OPNAVINST 7220.11K (accessible only via DON issuances website (link) / Directives & Manuals / All Instructions), governs the Annual Incentive Pay (AIP) and Continuation Bonus (COBO). SWO(N)s are compensated for two skills sets and are eligible for both NOBIP and the full spectrum of Surface Warfare Officer bonuses (DHRB, LRB and SORB) which are described on the PERS-41 Pay and Incentives pages.  NPTU Shift Engineers are paid an additional $1,000 monthly.
 
Please contact the SWO(N) Community Manager before applying for any bonus or incentive pay. There are usually some timing concerns with current or future Nuclear COBO contracts that you need to be aware of before making any decisions.


Detailing Tools:
Use the documents below to determine slate timing and adjust Projected Rotation Date (PRD). All shore tours are two years in accordance with MILPERSMAN 1301-110. Please contact the Surface Nuclear Officer Detailer (PERS-412N) with any questions.
#1 - Slate Timing
#2 - PRD Adjustment Request
#3 - Department Head Class Change Request



Career Intermission Program (CIP):
CIP offers additional career flexibility to pursue personal and professional endeavors during a successful Naval career. Participants spend 1 – 3 years in the IRR, retain TRICARE coverage (including dependents), and receive a stipend (1/15^th of base pay).  Your year group (YG) and lineal number will be adjusted based on the duration of participation in CIP. Participants incur a service obligation of one month for every month of participation.  The quantity of participants per year group (YG) is dependent upon YG SWO(N) inventory, so contact your detailer early if you’re interested.  Information on CIP can be found at the Navy’s CIP Webpage: MyNavyHR CIP Webpage


Promotion Deferment:
This policy allows in-zone and above-zone officers that are eligible for promotion to O-4, O-5, or O-6 to defer promotion consideration by a promotion selection board. Officers who have completed a career-broadening assignment, advanced education, or an assignment of significant value to the Department of Navy, or who have had a career progression requirement delayed by such an assignment or education may apply for deferment. Those selected will be rolled back a year group and have their lineal number adjusted accordingly.  Information on Promotion Deferment can be found here: NAVADMIN 113/24

 
Surface Nuclear Officer Screen Board:
The annual Surface Nuclear Officer Screen board is held each spring. During this screen board, the community selects officers to serve as Assistant Reactor Officer (ARO) and Principal Assistant (PA). Additionally, the board also considers Nuclear Engineering Duty Officers (EDO(N)) for continued service in the EDO(N) community and selects EDO(N)s to serve as Reactor Officers (RO). The links below are the results of the three most-recent screen boards.
(New) FY26 Screen Board
FY25 Screen Board
FY24 Screen Board ​

SWO(N) Newsletters:
If you did not receive your copy of the 2021-2022 SWO(N) Newsletter, please reach out to the SWO(N) Community Manager so we can send one to you!  An electronic version of the newsletter can be found here: SWO(N) Newsletter (Uploaded Dec 2022)

SWO(N) Grams:
Sign up for email delivery of each SWO(N) Gram by sending your email address to the SWO(N) Community Manager at the address provided in the "Contact Us" link provided above.  If your email address changes, please be sure to provide your new email address to ensure you receive every SWO(N) Gram.
 
     Most Recent SWO(N) Gram:
     (New) 7 Jan 2025

     Previous SWO(N) Grams:
     30 Oct 2024
     9 Jul 2024
     15 May 2024
     19 Mar 2024
     9 Nov 2023 
     10 Aug 2023
     10 May 2023
     23 Mar 2023
 

SWO(N) Lifecycle:
This reference contains valuable career management guidance for various stages of your career to include information on subspecialty codes, pays/benefits, tour lengths, shore duty, joint tours, options for graduate education, and strategies for communicating with your detailer.
SWO(N) Lifecycle: PA to RO - The SWO(N) Lifecycle focuses on the period of the SWO(N) career path from the PA through RO tour. In addition to the valuable career management information, this document contains testimonials from RO-served SWO(N)s who offer us their perspective about the RO tour.

Ready References:
Use the following ready references to assist you with managing your record, writing FITREPs, and researching graduate education opportunities:
#1 - Board Prep (September 2022)
#2 - Graduate Education (June 2021)​
#3 - FITREP (May 2021)
#4 - Record Management (November 2023)
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