Enhancing Officer Development and Retention in the Navy Surface Warfare Community
Abstract
This thesis examines the challenges faced by the Navy Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community in developing officers with solid judgment and character while addressing the pressing issue of officer retention.By evaluating the existing Surface Warfare Officer Career Manual and the Surface Warfare Officer Requirements Document (SWORD), this research aims to enhance the framework for SWO career trajectories, emphasizing leadership, mentorship, and personal growth. The guiding instructions must emphasize a more comprehensive and dynamic career path for SWOs. The current system has identified shortcomings in providing reliable and continuous mentoring tools to monitor officer progression and offer comprehensive leadership feedback, which is essential for their professional growth. Existing measures in the SWO community have proven insufficient, resulting in lower retention rates than their counterparts in other officer communities. By addressing not only the technical aspects of the profession, but also the personal and leadership dimensions, the SWO community can better retain talented officers, foster a culture of mutual support, and ensure the long-term success of its members. This study proposes a comprehensive framework for Commander, Naval Surface Forces and associated SWO echelons to address technical, personal, and leadership dimensions to improve officer retention rates and overall community capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1224862
Entities
People
- Charles A Alcasid
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School