Quote:
Originally Posted by oldpotatoe
Has that changed? On the CVs I was on, the XO was an aviator also, also O-6 but obvious ‘twilight’ tour...not gonna get a CV, deep draft or make flag.
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No, you are correct. The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer are both carrier aviators. And both usually Captains. In the CVN (nuke carrier) they are both graduates of nuclear power school and attended as Captain-selects on their way to their XO tour. The Navigator is the third in command and is usually a Captain and a helicopter pilot.
On carriers today (all nuclear), the Reactor Officer is the senior Surface Warfare Officer and is a post command (Destroyer, Frigate) Captain. The Reactor Officer is usually go on to Command a Cruiser (major command). Post Cruiser command Surface Warfare Officers that make Admiral are the group commanders in charge of squadrons of Destroyers.