Wasp Sailors React to New Warfare Pins Rules

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koons | Capt. Lowell D. Crow, USS Wasp's commanding officer, presents Petty Officer 3rd Class Shaun M. Beale, logistics specialist, with his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist certification during a ceremony in the ship's hangar bay, July 8. With the release of Navy Administrative Message 268-10, Aug. 10, all sailors fleet wide – regardless of rank – must earn their initial warfare designations.  

USS WASP, AT SEA

09.04.2010

Courtesy Story

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Edward Kobobel,

USS WASP, At Sea – Now that all sailors must acquire initial enlisted warfare pins as per the release of NAVADMIN 268-10, many onboard USS Wasp said that this new policy will both benefit junior sailors in helping to advance their careers yet also lead to new difficulties and challenges for them.

Under the policy change, all enlisted sailors who have not attained their initial warfare pin will be automatically enrolled in the program once they check onboard. E-5s will have 18 months to complete the qualification, E-1 to E-4 will have 30 months, and those re-qualifying will have 12 months.

“It’s a great change,” said Alan Smith, senior chief machinist’s mate, Wasp’s Enlisted Surface Warfare Program manager. “It gives E-1’s a chance to get into the enlisted warfare program right off the bat so that they have a head start.”

If a sailor has been onboard already and hasn’t enrolled in the program, their time will start when the new policy goes into effect in October. Failure to meet the qualification within the required timeframe will result in a performance evaluation with promotion recommendations removed. However, the promotion recommendation can be restored when the Sailor completes the qualification.

“I think there should be a longer time limit for E-4 and below,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Rosetta Aaron-Centeno, logistics specialist. “When young Sailors first check onboard they have a lot of qualifications they need to be working on and this should be last on that list.”

According to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West, the challenging environment of today’s Navy demands the need for all personnel to have a general understanding and working knowledge of their command, which earning warfare pins helps provide.

“Warfare pins are a standard every sailor must achieve because it is a symbol of a basic level of knowledge that ensures they are capable of fighting the ship, saving a shipmate and ensuring the safety of themselves at all times,” said West.

However, some Wasp sailors feel that this new system takes away from the value that having a warfare pin symbolizes.

“Getting warfare qualified used to define the difference from an average Sailor and one that stood out,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Blair, aviation boatswain’s mate (fuels). “It was a great way to help with promotion, and we could do it in our own time.”

According to Wasp Command Master Chief Jim Jones, the new policy will have only positive results.

“A more knowledgeable sailor is a more well-rounded and qualified sailor, someone who can take action in any situation,” said Jones. “This new policy ensures we have highly qualified Sailors in every facet of their career.”

• Date Taken: 09.04.2010
• Date Posted: 09.04.2010 13:49
• Story ID: 55724
• Location: USS WASP, AT SEA