United States Naval Aviator - Squadron Commanding Officer

Squadron Commanding Officer

Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers who successfully complete a fleet tour as a squadron department head (usually while successfully holding the ground position of either the Squadron Operations Officer, or Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Officer for lengths of a year or more and ranked as the top lieutenant commander), are considered in a Navy-wide Command Screen Board for Squadron Command. Selectees must also have been selected and approved by the U.S. Congress for promotion to the rank of Commander (O-5). Those few selected participate in a variety of command, leadership, legal and safety schools; and required refresher flight training and carrier re-qualifications. Unlike other branhes of the Navy, Squadron Commanding Officers start out the first half of their tours as the Squadron Executive Officer (XO), then "Fleet up" to the top position during their tenure, at a formal change of command. Aviation Squadron Commanding Officers (CO's) hold sea and shore squadron positions as a first command tour, and may move on to other commands, staff billets, or may retire from there. Typically this tour occurs in the eighteenth to twenty-second year of career service for the individual. The role of CO, as it similarly is for the Naval Service's Surface, Submarine, and Marine Corps communities is considered a nexxus position for effective military operations.