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MEDITERRANEAN SEA - The Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification is a significant career milestone in the professional development of all enlisted surface Sailors. The ESWS qualification signifies a Sailor's commitment to the Naval service and identifies him as a surface warfare professional. All who proceed on the journey to ESWS qualification partake in a challenging program that tests a Sailor's professional knowledge level. Few moments are remembered with as much pride as the moment a Sailor receives the hard earned insignia, a pewter ship steaming between two crossed cutlasses.
Recently, USS Stout added four new Sailors to the role of Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist: Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW/FMF) Nathaniel Pappas, a fire controlman from Nampa, Idaho; Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW) Perry Purnell, a fire controlman from St. Louis, Mo.; Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW) Richard Morris, a fire controlman from Daytona Beach, Fla.; Petty Officer 3rd Class (SW) Annika McCalla, a gas turbine system technician (mechanical) from Palm Coast, Fla.
When questioned about his experiences qualifying ESWS, Pappas commented on the time consuming study and preparation that is required to effectively absorb all the training included in the robust ESWS Personnel Qualification Standard that spans a wide spectrum of warfare areas and shipboard ratings. His advice, "If you can go in pairs, go in pairs," attests to the highly valued team work that is necessary in achieving such a demanding qualification. Indeed, the proficiency in teamwork that is gained during the course of earning a warfare qualification is perhaps the most valuable lesson learned, one that will continue to pay dividends throughout every Sailor's career.
A hearty "Job well done" is extended to these shipmates, not only for the knowledge they have gained and the lessons they have learned, but for the manor in which they honor the "Surface Warriors" who have come before them and the commitment they have made to those who will follow in their footsteps. The warfare insignia they have earned is only the beginning. It is a license to further their professional education and it signifies the responsibility they have to educate those who aspire to meet the same challenge. As they progress in their careers, the ESWS pin upon their chests will distinguish them as professionals with drive and dedication, to be relied upon by seniors and looked up to by juniors.
Stout has set a goal of qualifying for the Silver Enlisted Surface Warfare Excellence Pennant by the end of its current deployment. To qualify for this pennant, at least 80 percent of the enlisted personnel E-5 and senior must be qualified as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists. Additionally, 100 percent of the enlisted personnel E-5 and senior who have served in the ship for 18 months or longer must be qualified ESWS. As a reward for their hard work and to motivate others soon to follow in their footsteps, each newly qualified ESWS Sailor signs their name on the ESWS Pennant. Once earned by the ship, this pennant will proudly fly on the mast.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2009 17:16 |
| Story ID: | 33683 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 288 |
| Downloads: | 240 |
This work, USS Stout Qualifies Enlisted Surface Warriors, by ENS Matthew Antal, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
