Courtesy Photo | 170214-N-XX082-001 NEWPORT, R.I. (Feb. 14, 2017) Surface Warfare Officers School...... read more read more
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By Lt. Megan Chester, Surface Warfare Officers School
NEWPORT, R.I. – Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) held a graduation for 55 officers from its Department Head Course in the Admiral Michael G. Mullen Auditorium Sept. 14.
The 27-week course is designed to prepare surface warfare officers (SWO) for successful tours as department heads afloat on all classes of ships.
The instruction is divided into two parts: Tactical Action Officer (TAO) and Operations Readiness, Training and Engineering (ORTE). The TAO portion focuses on areas such as air defense, expeditionary operations, surface warfare and undersea warfare, and ORTE explores the specifics of each student’s prospective assignment.
Capt. Scott Robertson, commanding officer of SWOS, charged the officers to prepare for challenging tours and rewarding assignments.
“Go forth and lead boldly,” said Robertson. “We, and the Sailors you are about to lead, need you to be your very best.”
The guest speaker, Rear Adm. Hugh Wetherald, deputy director of Resources and Acquisitions, J-8, Joint Staff, reminded the graduates that Sailors look to them for guidance, and their actions will be noticed from the moment they report to their new assignment.
“The job hasn’t changed,” said Wetherald. “It’s about leadership. You can’t shape your leadership style around what other people tell you. You’ve got to shape it yourself.”
He thanked the graduates’ families and friends for being there for their loved ones, acknowledging how their support makes the difference when it comes to success.
Distinguished graduates included Lt. Jason Miller who received the Arleigh Burke Award, selected by his classmates as the individual possessing the strongest leadership, industry and perseverance. Lt. Christine Deuro received both the Newport Navy League Award for academic excellence as the top graduate for the class and the Top Gunner Award for the highest grade point average in the TAO curriculum.
Lt. Shaun Geary received the City of Newport Award for demonstrating the highest qualities of professionalism and leadership, and Lt. j.g. Scottie Ryder was selected for the Top Snipe Award, as the prospective engineering officer with the highest grade point average in the engineering curriculum.
Many of the graduates will arrive at their ships within the week to begin 18- or 36-month tours.
SWOS readies sea-bound warriors to serve on surface combatants as officers, enlisted engineers and enlisted navigation professionals to fulfill the Navy's mission to maintain global maritime superiority.
For more information about Surface Warfare Officers School, visit
www.netc.navy.mil/centers/swos/ or www.facebook.com/SWOSCOLCOM/.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/, www.netc.navy.mil/ or www.facebook.com/netcpao.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2017 16:05 |
| Story ID: | 248312 |
| Location: | NEWPORT, RI, US |
| Web Views: | 756 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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