By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Stapleton
U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
NAPLES, Italy – Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th fleet addressed Naples-area information dominance corps sailors and presented six Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist pins during an all-hands call at the Capodichino theater on Naval Support Activity Naples, Oct. 18.
“After five months of hard studying, it’s an honor to be recognized by the leader of the cyber warfare community,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Ebony Franklin.
Chief Electronics Technician Jason Hand elaborated on the importance of the EIDWS qualification, especially for cyber warfare sailors aspiring to advance in their field.
“In our community, EIDWS is the highest qualification in the Navy right now,” said Hand. “This is a milestone in a sailor’s career and sets them on a path to success.”
Aviation Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class Kathleen Mosher, shared her enthusiasm on earning her pin.
“This was my first [warfare] pin, it took me a little under a year to earn it,” said Mosher. “It was a lot of information, I had about 300 drill cards and I studied them every single day.”
Master Chief Duncan Bain, command master chief of Naval Computer and Telecommunication Station Naples, Information System Technician Chief Chris McDonald, Electonics Techincian 1st Class Andrew Santamaria and Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Kody Williams were also on hand to receive their EIDWS pins from Rogers.
Immediately following the award ceremony, Rogers stepped off the theater stage to engage sailors more personally. He congratulated the six sailors on their hard work and efforts in earning their EIDWS qualifications and encouraged sailors of the information dominance corps to continue on the path of excellence.
“This is not a job, it’s a profession and a profession is a whole different mindset,” said Rogers. “Our quality has risen to such a level that the standards are much higher now and you are all a reflection of that.”