Attaining the enlisted warfare specialist qualifications during normal operation of an active aircraft carrier at sea is challenging enough, but to earn a qualification while the ship is no longer going underway can be an even more difficult endeavor.

Although the ship is not at sea, Sailors aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) can earn enlisted surface, aviation, and information warfare specialist (ESWS, EAWS, and EIWS) pins throughout the refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) maintenance process.

It is impossible to earn any warfare qualification without the help of qualified and willing personnel, but George Washington's enlisted warfare coordinators are eager to help Sailors seeking to earn qualifications.

"We're always willing to help a Sailor gain their qualification," said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Shana Simpkins, a damage control ESWS coordinator. "If any Sailor needs training or a walkthrough on warfare qualifications, we will make time for them."

Although coordinators are willing to help, it may be more difficult to find a coordinator during the often hectic RCOH process. Sailors must be willing to take the initiative and seek them out.

"Getting your ESWS is hard, in general, and even harder in port," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Tyler Vandagrifft, a navigation ESWS coordinator. "But it is possible with perseverance and initiative."

It is important for Sailors to stay proactive in seeking help for their warfare qualifications. Sailors in paygrades E-1 to E-4 must qualify in their primary warfare area within 30 months of the day they checked into the command. Non-nuclear coded Sailors E-5 to E-9 have 18 months to earn their primary qualification. All Sailors with a nuclear-coded Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) have 30 months to complete their primary pin, regardless of rank.

"Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can get done today," said Vandagrifft.

Sailors who fail to complete warfare qualification requirements on time can lose their chance to be promoted, and will be assigned mandatory warfare extra military instruction (EMI) until their qualification is complete.

All three enlisted warfare programs will continue through the entire RCOH period and deadlines for the qualifications will still need to be met. While it may be hard work, it is the responsibility of Sailors to earn their primary warfare device, no matter the obstacles.

"Achieving any qualification takes drive, ambition, and perseverance," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Cassandra Styles, a naval heritage ESWS coordinator. "You have to push through 'til it's done."

Although many Sailors currently assigned to George Washington will no longer be assigned to the ship by the time it gets back underway, earning warfare qualifications and helping others achieve theirs will set the ship up for future warfighting success.

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