Sailors have the opportunity to complete three warfare programs aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73): Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS), and Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist (EIWS).

OPNAV Instruction 1412.4, which provides details regarding warfare programs, was released after the ESWS program was created Dec. 1, 1978 by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Thomas B. Hayward.

Warfare programs play a vital role in making sure Sailors are able to effectively combat a casualty, locate equipment to combat those casualties, and ultimately, maintain a safe workspace. Warfare qualifications are about protecting the ship and its Sailors.

The ESWS warfare device distinguishes Sailors who have obtained this qualification, which allows them to perform duties in the surface community onboard a ship. When a Sailor obtains this qualification, they ensure safe operations of their command.

“It's a standard that every Sailor must achieve,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman David Long, who provides ESWS walkthroughs for the naval heritage section for junior Sailors. “Sailors with warfare devices on their uniform show that they have attained a basic level of knowledge to ensure they are capable of fighting the ship, saving a shipmate, and ensuring the safety of themselves at all times. Having every Sailor at or working toward that level will only strengthen the warfighting ability of that command and the Navy.”

After the introduction of the ESWS program, the EAWS program was established in 1980. The EAWS warfare device recognizes Sailors who have obtained the specific skills and knowledge to perform duties in the aviation community.

“When I first came aboard, I saw people wearing warfare devices on their uniform and I was curious to figure out how to get them sewn onto my uniform,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Johnkeith Elopre, air department V-5 division zone manager. “I was eager to achieve this goal, so I started to study for the EAWS test. After that, I went to a “murder board” where a group of chief petty officers from the aviation community asked me and several other Sailors several questions about air warfare. I did pass the board, but I will never forget the challenges that I overcame along the way to achieving this goal. Now I help other Sailors in the division attain the same qualification. I even challenge them to obtain qualifications from other warfare areas that aviation Sailors are not familiar with just to broaden their knowledge. In-rate training could never teach me what I learned throughout the air warfare program, so I feel that this is very important, especially to all of the aviation rates in the Navy.”

The EIWS program is the newest warfare program of them all. It was created in 2010 to qualify Sailors within the information community. Sailors must have a rate that is in the information community and possess at least a secret clearance due to the sensitive nature of the material discussed in this warfare program.

“I remember when I received my EIWS warfare device,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Rien Desplinter from intelligence department, who provides training for the intelligence section of the EIWS program. “The EIWS program was pretty difficult, even with my rate being related with the information community. It was very interesting to learn about the other information rates. All of our jobs require a secret clearance so there isn’t too much information being passed around the ship as to what the other intelligence rates do on a daily basis. This program definitely taught me much more than I thought it would. I enjoy teaching other Sailors about the role that intelligence specialists play within the information community.”

With warfare coordinators, warfare rodeos, and subject matter experts in each warfare specialty stationed aboard the George Washington, Sailors have many opportunities to increase their warfare knowledge and get qualified.

Whether you’re a seaman just starting out or a seasoned Sailor on a second sea tour, warfare programs ensure Sailors are able to effectively engage a casualty, operate equipment or platforms safely, and ensure backup as needed. They also remind us to operate under the mindset of “ship, shipmate, self” because it’s everyone’s responsibility to save the ship.

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