"WE DID IT THE HARD WAY"
"WE KNOW WHAT'S IN THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE ENLISTED MEN"
LDOs perform similar tasks as those of the warrant officer (WO), but the formal definition differences are subtle and focus on the degree of authority and level of responsibility, as well as the breadth of required expertise. The term "limited duty" refers not to an LDO's authority, but rather the LDO's career progression and restrictions. Historically an LDO, prior to World War II, could only advance as far as lieutenant (O-3E). In later years, an LDO could be promoted to commander (O-5) and, in the Marine Corps, the senior LDO rank remains lieutenant colonel (O-5). In the 1990s the ceiling in most U.S. Navy LDO communities was raised to captain (O-6).
The LDO/WO motto is "sursum ab ordine" which means "up from the ranks" to underline a distinction between them and officers commissioned directly from collegiate programs such as the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval ROTC, and similar post-collegiate pre-commissioning officer candidate programs of the Navy and Marine Corps.[citation needed]
O6 LDO's
I retired in 1980 and at that time the Navy had recently added 06 as the highest Rank an LDO could attain. I was wondering if ther are any either Retired or Active duty O6's? And what sort of billets were or are they serving in? Just thought someone here might know.
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Retired in 2004 as the last board-selected CWO4 Photographer (747X).
One LDO then decided to revert to become a CWO5 Photographer.
The LDO photographers got the CWO program thrown away because they could not get sea billets. They lobbied and won. True story!!
Happy to be part of the group! 8 years active, 25 years reserves, 3 years broken service between the two, with a 33 year career in the Navy as a civilian as well. SR to SK1 while on active duty. Entered the Naval Reserve after a 3 year break in service losing only my 3 years TIG. SK1 to SKCS before picking up LDO. ENS -CDR with one shot at CAPT before I retired. In 2007 they told me there would be no CAPT LDO board for two years so I retired. Storekeeper to the Supply Corps 6515! Civil Service career started as a Warehouseman using the Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA) then moved to Managment Analyst, Budget Analyst, Internal Review Officer, Supervisory Accountant, Accounting Officer and ended my career as a Financial Manager with SPAWARHQ. Retired on my Birthday at 55 ... those 38 years of my life were filled with times of great challenge, a lot of doubt and fear of failure used as motivation, and many great rewarding successes. The Navy gave a poor Appalachian 17 year old kid off the streets a home and a family and an opportunity for a successful and productive life and I gave it my best! I'm grateful for every minute of it! But I must admit, my worse day of fishing with my grandsons is better than my best days of working on the job! Life is good .. hope it is for you as well!
Welcome aboard Les.
SR to YNCS to ENS to LCDR between 1983 and 2013. I loved leading Sailors and most of all the respect of my fellow officers knowing what I had to offer as far a leadership, rationale and most of all taking care of both (1) Sailor (2) Mission. I too would do it again in a heartbeat! Designator 6410 and a Ship Driver.
CWO2 July 1, 1986 aboard USS Oldendorf DD-972. Knife & Fork at P'Cola then back to Japan at Sasebo for a tour on the USS Dubuque LPD-8 as EMO. Finished up in '91 as EMO of USS Midway CV-41 post Desert Storm. SWO qual'ed and CDO. Going from ETCS to CWO2 was an eye opener. The degree of accountability expected was most noticeable . As a SCPO, I only saw the CO incidentally and he would say Good morning Senior. As a CWO2, I saw the CO daily sometimes multiple times and it wasn't for exchanging pleasantries.