Not a Retention Issue
You guys are off base on this one. The Navy doesn't have a pilot retention problem but is trying to be innovative here. The CWO program is an experiment surrounding career progression. Rather than "up-or-out," the Bureau of Personnel is attempting to make a place for career aviators - officers that will be allowed to remain in the cockpit instead of being rotated to non-flying billets. We are starting to realize that not all can be the CNO and we are wasting our manpower by forcing officers out even if they are top quality and enjoy their jobs.