Earning the enlisted surface warfare specialist (ESWS) qualification is a career milestone and mission objective for all shipboard Sailors. The ESWS pin on a Sailor’s uniform tells others they know and understand the workings of each part of a surface vessel and how it operates.
Aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) received the opportunity to train with their Navy counterparts and earn their ESWS qualifications.
“This helps Marines understand and be able to help with mission readiness while embarked onboard the ship,” said Gunnery Sgt. Casey Wojtkowski. “We get to see just how important damage control is on the ship and understanding the process of saving the ship.”
Yeoman 1st Class Torey Billings, the ship’s ESWS coordinator, said this is the first time Marines have the opportunity to earn their ESWS qualification.
The exchange of training is part of a combined effort to improve interoperability between both branches.
“Giving our Marine counterparts the opportunity to earn their pins helps us build a better integrated team and helps us learn an about their job and they learn about our job,” said Quartermaster 1st Class Joel Serragalindo, ESWS coordinator aboard USS America.
Marines are required to go earn the same prerequisite qualifications as their respective Navy paygrade counterparts: including damage control, maintenance and watchstanding.
After working on the requirements and going through walkthroughs for the different departments for ESWS; the Marines have a much better understanding on the how the ship work, what rates do what and why the ship does certain things.
America’s first group of ESWS-trained Marines are expected to earn their pins by the end of their first deployment with the ship.
“Going through this training I have a better understanding on what happens on this ship and why certain procedures are done,” said Wojtkowski. “It helps Marines, so were not just sitting around no knowing what is going on.”