USS Emory S. Land Sailors Exemplify Merits of Training

USS EMORY S. LAND, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) gathered on the flight deck for a combined Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) insignia pinning and Petty Officer frocking ceremony Dec. 9.

Eleven Sailors lined up to finalize their place amongst the ranks of other ESWS qualified Sailors during a very aggressive training season.

"To earn the qualification of becoming an ESWS qualified Sailor onboard Land, you must meet pre-requisites, completely fill out two Personal Qualification Standard (PQS) books, one is specific to the ship itself, while the other is made up of surface Navy fundamentals", said Legalman 1st Class Samantha Williams, Land's ESWS program coordinator. "Then you must pass a written exam, and take an extensive oral board. The program is tough; I would say it's arduous, our goal is to challenge candidates to properly demonstrate the knowledge that is expected of a Surface Warrior."

The command facilitates the growth of its Sailors by hosting a series of ESWS training sessions called 'ESWS Academy' inside the ship's theatre. "ESWS Academy is a great program, it gives hard charging Sailors a chance to go over their PQS with subject matter experts," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Harlan Famisan, a facilitator onboard Land. "It fosters an environment where Sailors can ask questions and review the information they've learned with each other."

Some Sailors took advantage of the time they had while the ship was undergoing a voyage repair period in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. "I had to sacrifice quite a bit of my liberty to get to this point, but it's definitely paid off," said Logistics Specialist Seaman Ryan Lubig. "Pooling together with a few others to study each night became routine, we spent most of our time going over our notes, asking anyone with a pin to drill us on study material".

During the ceremony Sailors finalized their qualification by having fellow ESWS qualified Sailors induct and welcome them into the Surface Warfare community by pinning on the official insignia. "This is actually the original ESWS pin that I received when I earned the qualification as a Seaman", said Quartermaster 1st Class Travis Volking, a pinning participant and member of the ESWS community. "I'm honored that I was chosen to pin a fellow Sailor, getting your ESWS signifies a step in the right direction of a rewarding career."

As the ceremony continued, Land's Commanding Officer, Capt. Glenn Pendrick, frocked 20 Sailors to the next paygrade as a result of the September Navy-Wide Advancement Exam. "Each and every one of you will be challenged as you take on a higher role of leadership," Pendrick said. "I encourage you all to be aggressive leaders, and set the higher standard that makes our Navy the global force for good that it is today".

This message resonated with the newly frocked Sailors, and for some took on a deeper meaning of ownership and responsibility. "I was able to advance and get my ESWS pin and get frocked to the rank of 2nd class petty officer in the same ceremony," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Boonyarit Panavaravatn. "I only wish success for the Sailors I will lead, and hope to guide them down the same path, to start a cycle of success."

The ceremony concluded with the crew congratulating the newfound petty officers and surface warriors for their respective achievements.

Land, homeported in Diego Garcia, is a forward deployed expeditionary submarine tender on an extended deployment conducting coordinated tending moorings and afloat maintenance in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

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