Photo By VX-9 Visual Information Specialist | Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Johnathon Janowiecki, assigned to Air Test and...... read more read more
CHINA LAKE, Calif. - Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Johnathon Janowiecki, from Toledo, Ohio, converted from Aviation Structural Mechanic to Naval Aircrewman Operator, under the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Rating Identification Engine (RIDE)/Perform-To-Serve program.
Janowiecki is scheduled to attend Naval Aircrewman Operator “A School,” and looking forward to meeting the challenges of his new job.
“I’m very excited to be doing something so vastly new and different in my career. Bring it on!” he said.
The U.S. Navy’s PTS policy affects all E3-E6 sailors with 14 years of service or less. PTS quotas give sailors in overmanned rates the opportunity to apply for other ratings or the Navy Reserves. PTS quotas are reserved for the Navy’s top performers.
“Because of Janowiecki’s hard work that reflected in his performance evaluations, he was given the opportunity to convert,” said Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE’s Command Master Chief, Gregory S. Carlson.
The Aviation Structural Mechanic rate was one of 31 ratings that were overmanned in August 2011.
Within the last 12 months, the PTS approval rating percentage rose from 30 percent to 90 percent Navy wide. “This was a terrific opportunity for Janowiecki to stay in the Navy,” explained Carlson.
Two Naval Aircrewman Operator quotas became available for the first time in July 2012. “I felt that my chances of getting chosen were good, despite the fact that there were only two Aircrewman Operator quotas available in the entire Navy,” said Janowiecki.
Eager to get his Navy career started, Janowiecki enlisted under the Airman Apprenticeship Program on June 23, 2005, hoping to get the opportunity after boot camp to try out for the Navy SEALS or one of the Aircrewman occupational ratings.
Janowiecki said, “While in bootcamp, I told the Petty Officer-In-Charge of Navy ratings assignments that I really wanted to join an aviation rate, and not be under the Airman Apprenticeship Program.”
Near the end of bootcamp, Janowiecki was given the last spot in the next Aviation Structural Mechanic “A” School class.
After completing “A” School, his first assignment was the aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), on Dec. 2, 2005.
“I was immersed in learning my job and hardly had time to consider trying out for Basic Underwater Demolition School or converting to the Aircrewman rate,” said Janowiecki. “My most memorable experience onboard the Stennis was performing fast paced composite repairs on aircraft wings, readying them to fly missions over the Arabian Gulf, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom,” he added.
After the completion of two deployments with the Stennis, Janowiecki transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE, on Aug. 5, 2010.
During his seven years of Naval service, Janowiecki noticed that things were constantly changing. The demands on the Navy were not the same as they were when he first entered. Faced with making the most important career decision of his life, he sought the advice and guidance of Navy Counselor 1st Class Atley Joseph, VX-9’s command career counselor.
Joseph was responsible for helping Janowiecki through the hard times and stress of submitting a PTS quota conversion application.
“NC1 Joseph was awesome throughout the entire process. He gave me every bit of information I needed for my conversion.” Janowiecki went on to say, “I understand how PTS works, how it affects a sailor’s career, and why it is needed. It was all worth it.”
Janowiecki appreciated the support of his family throughout this complex transition period in his Navy career. He and his wife Mary have two sons, 4-year-old Jackson, and 1-year-old Ace.
While presently focusing on becoming one of the Navy’s finest sailors and Naval Aircrewman Operators, Janowiecki’s future plans are to retire from the Navy, and share his experiences with other sailors.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2012 18:04 |
| Story ID: | 94535 |
| Location: | RIDGECREST, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 416 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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