“Executive Officer to Commanding Officer Fleet-Up” begins on Navy surface ships and sea staffs in 2006, with the majority of changes coming in 2008 and 2009. Executive Officers will serve 18 months and then “fleet up” to Commanding Officer on the same ship. Additionally, “major command”-screened officers will serve as executive officer or chief staff officer (deputy warfare commander) and fleet up to the Commanding Officer/Commodore (warfare commander) position. According to officials, the resulting Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) career path will send more SWOs to junior and senior war colleges, qualify SWOs sooner as Joint Specialty Officers, send more SWOs to multiple joint tours, ensure command leadership stability and increase the professional qualifications of major warfare commanders. Under the plan, an XO’s tour will start at 15.5 years vice the current 13-year point, and the CO tour will start at 17 years vice 18-to-18.5 years.