USS John C. Stennis' First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) invites Sailors to the forecastle every Sunday to participate in John C. Stennis University (JCSU).

JCSU offers Sailors training related to basic military requirements (BMR), the enlisted surface warfare specialist (ESWS) qualification and enlisted air warfare specialist (EAWS) qualification.

"It's an opportunity for Sailors, especially those who can't attend regular training, to get the information they need," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Nicholas Winkler, from Wichita, Kansas, an instructor for JCSU. "It also gives Sailors a support network and puts faces to the board members they might see again while they're working towards their qualifications."

Winkler added JCSU gives Sailors an advantage by providing the material they need to know in a different format.

"It creates an environment where Sailors are actually learning about the ship, not just memorizing specific answers," said Winkler.

JCSU rotates through different topics every week, typically cycling between ESWS, EAWS and BMR. Each one of those subjects requires multiple sessions for complete training.

Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Chelsea Beckwith, from Cooperstown, New York, assigned to the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron 97, attended ESWS training.

"I came to JCSU to get any information I could to help me get my [ESWS] pin," said Beckwith. "Since I'm stationed with a squadron, I'm unfamiliar with the ship. It was helpful to be taught the information instead of just trying to study it out of a book."

Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment.

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