Wasp Enlisted Surface Warfare Warriors work toward their pins

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew M. Rivard | Senior Chief Petty Officer Larry Novak pins Petty Officer 3rd Class Tiffany Chatman with her Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin, Sept. 19.  

USCENTCOM, AT SEA

10.22.2009

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Amie Gonzales 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

CARIBBEAN SEA — The Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification designation signifies that a Sailor has achieved a level of proficiency in surface ships and is competent with general knowledge in the areas of ship damage control, engineering, deck and combat systems, to name a few. Those who earn their ESWS are considered by many to be significant contributors to the surface force.

"It's important because it is a major career milestone," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jill Violini, Wasp's ESWS Program Coordinator. "Earning your surface pin is a big accomplishment it establishes you as a person who has initiative and who takes their career seriously."

The program is open to enlisted personnel permanently assigned to Wasp, enlisted personnel serving on Type 2 or 4 sea duty who are assigned to a U.S. Navy or Military Sealift Command afloat staff, or to commands that deploy aboard Wasp for a minimum of 90 consecutive days.

Qualifying for ESWS requires Sailors to complete Personnel Qualification Standards and be knowledgeable in the areas of Ship's Maintenance and Material Management System; Advanced Damage Control; Deck Watches for inport and underway, and an ESWS core and platform specific PQS.

"I suggest setting small, attainable goals," said Violini. "Don't stress yourself out about the process. There is a lot of information to retain and you're not going to learn it overnight."

Once all PQS requirements have been signed off and a written exam is completed with a passing grade of 80 percent or higher, Sailors have 10 days to complete their "walk-through" with required departments. The final steps to earning an ESWS pin consists of two oral boards. A "murder board," given by qualified Wasp First Class Petty Officers, is conducted as a precursor to what Sailors can expect at the final step, the Chief's Board.

At these boards, Sailors must display a general knowledge of the ship's overall mission, engineering plant capabilities, combat systems, and basic deck equipment among others areas.

The ship conducts training Monday through Saturday nights underway in its Library Media Resource Center. Wasp Sailors can go to the ship's web page for a detailed schedule. The site also lists subject matter experts for Sailors to get in touch with for any additional questions they may have.

Violini added Sailors must route a request chit through the Command Master Chief to start the program. Those in paygrades E-1 to E-4 must complete all in-rate training requirements before they can begin their ESWS qualification.

Wasp currently has 72 Sailors enrolled in the program. Five Sailors have earned their initial qualification and three have re-qualified since Wasp deployed, Oct. 4.

ESWS qualification may only be obtained through the formal qualification program, Wasp Instruction 1414.2C provides specific details on the ESWS program, and can be found on the ship's web page under ESWS/EAWS.

Wasp and the Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force are working alongside Mayport-based Destroyer Squadron 40 during a three-month deployment to build and instill interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation naval forces through a variety of exercises as part of Southern Partnership Station.

• Date Taken: 10.22.2009
• Date Posted: 10.23.2009 11:43
• Story ID: 40573
• Location: USCENTCOM, AT SEA