Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Loni Lopez | Cmdr. Geoff Bowman, commanding officer of the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Loni Lopez
WATERS NEAR GUAM – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) recognized one of its Sailors for earning her third warfare qualification and being the first in her community to do so during her time on board.
Aerographer’s Mate 2nd Class, Karen Richards, from Ellendale, Missouri, was recently awarded the Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist (EIDWS) pin.
“Luckily, I have been privileged to have an immensely supportive chain of command and an incredible division who pushed me and reminded me not to give up,” said Richards. “I also had Sailors aboard George Washington that would tell me to keep going and kept cheering me on. It was their enthusiasm that helped me stay focused to reach my ultimate goal. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Among the 18 aerographers aboard George Washington, she is the first to earn three warfare qualifications.
“I am extremely proud of her,” said Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Jacob Rico, the leading petty officer of Richard’s division. “Her motivation and drive to obtain these pins brought our division together as a team. We were all rooting for her. Now, her hard work and dedication is displayed proudly on her uniform.”
Although she has already attained both the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) and Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist (EAWS) qualifications, Richards said she pursued the EIDWS to inspire her siblings and Sailors to strive for excellence.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a role model to my five little brothers and show them that anything is possible,” said Richards. “As I got older I kept that mentality. I strived to be better, to be ahead so that I can turn around and share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained.”
The qualification process for all three enlisted warfare pins involves four separate parts: the common core qualification standards which consists of policies, concepts, and responsibilities within the respective warfare qualification, the carrier-specific qualification standards, a written examination, and an oral board.
“You definitely have to study,” said Richards. “Making time to sit down with the subject matter experts shows them how dedicated you are to the program and helps you gain hands-on experience.”
Richards explained that EIDWS qualification was different from both the Surface and Aviation qualifications that she previously earned.
“As an aerographer’s mate, I never quite realized how important Operations department’s meteorology and oceanography division’s (METOC) role was in the information dominance community. Information dominance allows you to really take a microscopic view on how in depth all of the Information Dominance Corps rates are and how we all mesh together from space phenomena, to communicating on the phone with our loved ones, to how we operate in an open ocean environment, or the huge role in humanitarian disaster relief.”
According to Richards, staying focused is vitally important when working towards the warfare qualifications.
“It’s all about self-determination,” said Richards. “I will continue to have the same motivation, drive, and mentality that has gotten me this far as a Sailor and as an individual.”
George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2014 06:11 |
| Story ID: | 143499 |
| Location: | USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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