I'm fairly well informed on a typical ED training/career pipeline, but what are the differences with the ED Dolphin program? I've heard that Dolphins do not become warfare qualified, but may be assigned to submarines during their training. So what sort of training do they receive?

HUH? I may be a bit slow in my old age but I have no idea what you are talking about.

The only dolphins you will find on a Submarine will be pinned on the uniforms of Qualified Submariners.

MP maybe he's talking about the marine mammal program. There was another thread down on the SEAL/EOD forum. Its a classified program so there isn't a whole lot of specific info on it unless you have a need to know.

http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/94919558/m/8700062391001

Gerry,
Actually there is a lot of info on the Marine Mammal program online including civilian research associateships. www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/
(official Navy website so it doesn't violate the TOU).

No, I'm not talking about the marine mammal program. The Engineering Duty Dolphin program is related to the Restricted Line Officer designator 144X Engineering Duty Officer. Navy Recruiting Command (http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/noru/orojt/swoedo.htm) lists one of the eligibility requirements for 144X as "Warfare qualified, or entry into the ED Dolphin Program". I am curious to find out what the ED Dolphin Program is.

Seek and ye shall find....

Engineering Duty (ED) Officer Dolphin Program

BoatsBM1

It doesn't look like they do....

Ahhh so this is for someone who wants to sorta be a submariner.

it sounds kinda like a officer Nuke "lite" program.

I do not think I ever saw anyone wearing that type of pin. But I got lucky and did not spend too much time in the yards when I was in.

This comes across as a program for officers that want to work on boats during new construction or shipyard work. I'm thinking the idea is to give these yard officers the experience of being on a boat so they have a better idea of what we go through.

An interesting note in the NAVSEA instruction is paragraph 5.c which states:

"Female ED officers are eligible for the Program. Their completion of the onboard SSBN/SSN patrol and refit qualification requirements will be addressed on an individual basis."

This raises some interesting points around the prohibition of women from serving on boat. This could be step 1 to integrating women onto subs.