When an officer candidate attends ROCI, do they learn about shipboard navigation and NAVRULES?
I heard they don't, but what if an Officer attends ROCI and then decides later on to switch to active duty and is assigned to a cutter? The Officer will not have an understanding of the aspects of piloting a ship and will have to play "catch up".
Navigation is covered very briefly during ROCI. The program is intended for reservists not active duty. If you know that you will be going active duty apply for OCS not ROCI.
In the event that a reservist makes the transition to active duty, then yes they will be behind the curve for a while.
SeanFay, Im thinking about doing the reserve officer route and was wondering what a normal drill is like for you. From the research I have done it seems like a PSU is really the only type of unit where an officer gets to go out and do something besides push paper. Also at non PSU units do they have set weekends where you have to show up or can you choose which weekends to fulfill your commitment?
PSU units are typically high speed but most J/O's have the opportunity to get their feet wet with something no matter the unit. As you promote, no matter the unit, the less operational (as in the action you’ll see) increases. PSU or not. Keep in mind, PSU's aren't all over the place either. Usually a district has one and mine is like 13 hours away from where I live. You also have additional drill requirements with a PSU. 60 drills instead of 48. Not that it's bad, just more drills.
I'm not in a PSU but I do boardings, VDEL training, carry a weapon, visit the range, conduct at sea boardings, etc. PSU's aren't the only reserve units doing ‘active’ work. There’s a reserve MSST unit or various VBSTs (not officially called that anymore), etc.
Keep in mind, you don't pick your unit initially, it’s picked for you. As you progress along in the Coast Guard you start having some say so and they do want J/O's to have PSU experience but don’t just count on that. I have a lot of PSU classmates, it’s quite common because they need a lot of J/O’s so your chances may be good…but not 100 percent by any stretch. Luckily for the ones that got selected out of my class, they were all high speed type people. PSU’s generally aren’t a lazy persons job.
All that said keep in mind, PSU or not, you’re not the guy driving the boat or any really high speed stuff. Things may happen but you’re a manager of the people doing the jobs usually. So don’t get too warped in thinking that.
Disclaimer – I hope no part of this comes off wrong to any PSU member. I want to transfer to one eventually…I’m just saying, they aren’t the only fish in the sea.
