Community managers offer brief to prospective LDOs and CWOs

Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) community managers offered a brief to perspective applicants May 10, at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Oceana.

The purpose of the brief was to inform applicants about the application and selection process so they will be better prepared when applying for the coveted positions. Active-duty LDOs and CWOs, also known as “mustangs,” gave insight and testimonials about the application process to qualified Sailors.

“The Navy recognizes the great technical relevancy and leadership that the mustangs bring to the table…We make a difference, we make an impact,” said Capt. John Jones, LDO community manager. “It’s good to have those guys in the wardroom to understand the hearts and minds of Sailors…It’s good for the Navy, it’s good for all of us.”

The LDO and CWO community is comprised of prior enlisted Sailors with exceptional technical expertise in their respected field and leadership skills who have been selected for a commission. Sailors must submit an extensive package for review to qualify for the selection process.

“The first thing you need to decide if you want to be an LDO or CWO is, do you like the technical aspects of your job?” said Chief Warrant Officer Five 5 Mitch Allen, CWO community manager. “Warrant officers in the Navy fill a unique gap in that technical capability and that commissioned authority. We exist to support the restricted line; the LDOs are staff for the unrestricted line and fill those voids of where we need a lot of technical competency, along with the authority of a commission that can support the career progression for the other communities.”

The brief explained in detail the dos and don’ts for applicants intending to submit packages for consideration. Some of the topics highlighted were areas applicants have the most trouble with, for example, personal statements and interview techniques for success.

“The people we’re looking for are the guys that can keep a dozen balls up in the air, the guy we’re not looking for is the ‘fang slicers’ [Sailors who have so many collateral duties that they are rarely in the work space]…Who does fang slicer look out for? Himself! Is that a leader?...Is that the guy I want as my divisional officer? Absolutely not,” said Jones. “We want those guys that have their sleeves rolled up and are constantly in the work center...We’re looking for multitasking technical leaders.”

“You thrive on challenging assignments, do you want to apply those skills with less restriction…That’s being able to own the program, not run it, but own it,” said Allen.

Jones went as far to say that technical expertise can weigh heavier than a degree when being considered for LDO and CWO. Jones also went through the score sheet that board members mark when considering applicants and advised the audience of hopefuls the relevance and where board members look to in packages to make those scoring decisions.

The incentives to apply for a place in the LDO and CWO community were also covered by the brief.

“Do you like to take charge? Do you want to be the person calling the shots? Do you want to be the skipper that calls the master chief and says ‘let’s wrap this thing up and have a four day weekend?’ That could be you, the authority to make a difference. How do we get that authority? One by rank, but one by the fact that we got commissioned,” said Allen.

As he referred to decisions about waivers to apply to the CWO community, Allen said, “I’m not any smarter than you are, but I have that piece of paper that gives me the authority to make that decision.”

Jones went on to explain the retention rates, advancement percentages and pay scales for LDO and CWO positions, highlighting the increased retirement pay as well.

The mustangs from various fields were asked to come on stage and share their experiences applying and were also available to answer applicants’ questions, give advice and for mentorship, following the brief.

“I put in eight packages before I got picked up. Don’t stop if this is what your goal is. I was mentored as a young Sailor to get here today, so don’t get discouraged,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Todd Smith from Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF) at Dam Neck Annex.