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To fly the enlisted surface warfare specialist (ESWS) pennant, all eligible Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) must be enrolled in the program with no delinquencies.
Culinary Specialist 1st Class Frederick Villaro, an ESWS Assistant Command Coordinator aboard Essex, conducted boards and oversaw each Sailor’s progress in obtaining their qualification. “It's one the most challenging qualifications to attain onboard and in the Sailor's career, but it's also one of the most rewarding,” said Villaro.
To earn their ESWS pin, Sailors are required to complete standardized common core and platform-specific qualification books, training sessions with subject matter experts, along with passing written and oral exams to demonstrate their knowledge of surface warfare.
“The ESWS program gives every Sailor an opportunity to learn and understand the importance of each department and rate throughout the ship,” said Villaro. “The prerequisites alone help the Sailor to become skilled and knowledgeable on all fronts, from customs and courtesies to performing maintenance, as well as knowing what to do during a damage control casualty. All of these are important to ensure mission readiness.”
While qualifying for ESWS is mandatory for all surface-rated Sailors, many who work in the aviation and information communities also took up the challenge and obtained it as their secondary warfare pin.
Sailors in aviation and information rates can pursue their ESWS after obtaining their primary pin. Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Trevor Linkous recently received his ESWS after being motivated to learn more about Essex’s operations. “The qualification process helped me to understand how the other departments contribute to helping the Essex complete the mission at hand,” said Linkous.
The ESWS pennant will be flown from Essex’s forward mast along with the enlisted air warfare specialist (EAWS) pennant, as a symbol of the achievements and level of knowledge of Essex Sailors.
Essex is homeported in San Diego. For more information on USS Essex, find us on Facebook at USS Essex (LHD 2) or please contact our Public Affairs Office.
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2021 17:44 |
| Story ID: | 389632 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Essex Earns ESWS Pennant, by PO2 Jenna Dobson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
