Aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) and Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist (EIWS) qualifications are an essential part of what makes a seasoned Sailor in today's Navy.

The road to earning a pin isn't an easy one, as it requires the Sailor to go through a gauntlet of written tests and oral boards to earn their warfare qualification.

"Getting a warfare pin is pretty much the culmination of a Sailor's journey after earning their basic quals, which are required to be eligible for a pin," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Don Paguyo. "Most Sailors need their advanced DC qualifications and their current
watchstanding qual, which is based off their paygrade."

While getting the primary warfare pin is mandatory for Sailors, it's not the only reason Sailors pursue one or more qualifications. Earning a warfare pin shows the Sailor is well-rounded and knowledgeable in areas that he or she may not work in normally and can benefit that Sailor in their career.

"Earning a warfare pin only helps the Sailor in the long run," said Paguyo. "It could be what makes the difference when a Sailor requests overnight liberty during port calls, or a better eval. More than that, a warfare pin shows their peers that the Sailor has reached a milestone in their career."

The most challenging part for Sailors seeking to earn their warfare qualifications isn't being quizzed on their knowledge, but rather making sure they stay focused on achieving their goal. Between arduous working environments, extended hours and the
pressing need of other shorter-term qualifications, keeping the warfare pin high on the list of priorities is difficult, especially when out to sea.

"Many of us are busy with our jobs, and the hours are long," said Paguyo. "It does require focus and dedication from Sailors if they want to earn their pin."

Originally restricted to only the information warfare ratings, the EIWS pin is now available to Sailors outside those rates.

"Only those Sailors involved in the information warfare community were able to earn this pin at first," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class James Fazl. "While it's still their primary warfare pin, it's open to everyone else outside the IW rates. What blows my mind is just how many
Sailors have earned that pin since they had to have earned the surface and air pins first."

While Paguyo and Fazl understand that attaining warfare qualifications is easier to do at sea than while in homeport, they're surprised by the large number of Sailors who have earned their pins.

"In all 15 years of my Navy career I never seen anything like this," said Paguyo. "Even being on deployment, this is the largest number of Sailors I've seen earn their pins."

The latest tally indicates more than 1,200 warfare pins have been earned by GHWB Sailors, a feat that's been highlighted by the chain of command. The momentum shows no sign of stopping as each week more Sailors are testing or boarding. For those who are
beginning their journey to earn a warfare pin, Fazl has advice for them.

"My advice for those starting the process is to take full advantage of all the training classes available to them," said Fazl. "It doesn't hurt to walk around and ask those senior Sailors questions. It's the only way anyone learns more and achieves the goal they set out to make."

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