ESWS Program Creates Warfighting, Mission Ready Fleet...

Story Number: NNS140330-01Release Date: 3/30/2014 8:49:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian Senyk, Commander Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors across the fleet work and study to earn the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pin, but what does the ESWS pin signify? What does it mean to the Navy as a whole?

"The ESWS program is designed to teach Sailors the minimum basics of every department on the ship," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Min Jun, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), assistant ESWS coordinator. "It gives Sailors an opportunity to get out of their work center and understand the basics of being a Sailor on the platform where they perform."

The program is a big part of mission readiness in the fleet. The information that the ESWS program provides is essential in order for Sailors to have basic knowledge about the ships they are on.

"The ESWS program covers a wide range of fields," said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Joel Bon, Bonhomme Richard's command ESWS program coordinator. "Fields covered include ship's capabilities, combat systems, damage control, force protection, supply, and basic ship defense mechanisms."

Each field is critical for Sailors to reinforce the warfighting readiness of the Fleet.

"ESWS creates Sailors who are knowledgeable on each mission critical field of the Navy," said Jun. "In case of an emergency, in case anything happened where a Sailor had to fulfill a role that is not what he usually does, the Sailor will be better prepared and know what to expect."

In order to enroll in the ESWS program there are things that they must accomplish first.

"Sailors must finish the prerequisites to enroll in the ESWS program," said Jun. "Prerequisites include in port watch station qualifications, the basic maintenance qualifications, and damage control qualifications."

After all prerequisites are completed, Sailors will move on to training sessions where they start learning the fundamentals of each department and getting signatures on their Personnel Qualification Standard.

"After everything is signed off, Sailors take a written test," said Jun. "If they pass the written test, then the go to the pre-board. Board members from each department ask Sailors questions on the specific field they are in charge of."

The last, and most difficult, stage of the program is the final board.

"During the final board, Sailors will be tested orally on each specific topic and the board members expect the individual to know each subject," said Jun.

"The warfare device is a symbol of a basic level knowledge of warfighting on the ship," said Bon. "Every Sailor who is working toward that level will strengthen the warfighting capability of our command and the Navy."

In accordance with NAVADMIN 268/10, the Navy mandates that all Sailors receive their primary warfare pin no later than 30 months after reporting aboard a warfare qualifying command. This is a standard Sailors must meet to strengthen their warfighting capability.