NCMEDIC
12-29-2006, 03:44 AM
By Theresa Merto Cepeda, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Master at Arms 2nd Class Carl P. Hurtt Jr. of Mobile Security Squadron (MSS) 7 in Guam became the Navy’s first enlisted expeditionary warfare specialist Dec. 15.
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_061215-N-9167V-032.jpg
During a ceremony in Guam Friday, Hurtt earned an expeditionary warfare device which he will now wear on his uniform, indicating that he has achieved a level of excellence and proficiency in expeditionary warfare.
The expeditionary pin, the Navy’s first new warfare device issued in the last six years, is the latest in a series of milestones implemented by the Navy to acknowledge the service’s need to have Sailors with core expeditionary capabilities, including maritime security, and anti-terrorism and force protection.
“What the warfare pin says to the rest of the Navy is that the Navy recognizes that this is a crucial area that Sailors can participate in,” said Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). “These are core Navy skills that we need to fine-tune -- we need to hone. And we need to have a core group of Sailors that qualify in these specialized skills, just as you do in surface, aviation or subsurface.”
To qualify for the device, Hurtt participated in an expeditionary warfare program that focused on several skills including; weapons qualifications, marksmanship and maintenance; land navigation; and field communications. Completion of the program signifies he -- and other Sailors who achieve this accomplishment -- are operationally competent and have acquired additional knowledge that enhances the understanding of warfighting, mission effectiveness, and unit survivability.
“I worked hard for it,” Hurtt said. “A lot of guys along the way that I worked with [and] that I served with in Iraq, have pushed me along, and all the chiefs in my command have helped me, so it feels real good.”
Master Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposalman (EOD/PR) Anthony Santino, force master chief for NECC, said the concept of the new pin has been in the works for more than two years. He added that the program improves expeditionary Sailors’ knowledge and makes them more combat ready.
“[As part of the qualification program] the Sailor takes the time to learn everything about his warfare -- not just within his specific community, but they also learn other command types,” Santino said. “Additionally, it helps the Sailor on a personal level because [once a Sailor] is warfare qualified, he or she can be more competitive in advancement against their counterparts.”
Enlisted Sailors on Type 2 or 4 sea duty or those serving at a Reserve Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron (NCWS), Inshore Boat Unit (IBU), or Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) and permanently assigned to subordinate units of the program are eligible to work toward qualification.
Hurtt recently completed a six-month tour in Iraq conducting maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf while guarding the Al Basra Oil Terminal, alongside Iraqi Marines.
“When I was on the platform, I remember I sat down with one of my chiefs and I was talking to him," recalled Hurt. "He asked me what a goal of mine was, and I said it was to get an [expeditionary warfare] pin by January. On December 15, I achieved that -- and I achieved that ahead of schedule.”
Hurtt’s Mobile Security Squadron 7 is part of NECC. In January the Navy created the NECC, bringing Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Coastal Warfare, Riverine forces, Combat Camera Atlantic, the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support functions and the Seabees under one umbrella. NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the maritime security operations and the Global War on Terrorism as part of the joint force.
For related news, visit the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/necc (http://www.news.navy.mil/local/necc)/.
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_061215-N-9167V-032.jpg
During a ceremony in Guam Friday, Hurtt earned an expeditionary warfare device which he will now wear on his uniform, indicating that he has achieved a level of excellence and proficiency in expeditionary warfare.
The expeditionary pin, the Navy’s first new warfare device issued in the last six years, is the latest in a series of milestones implemented by the Navy to acknowledge the service’s need to have Sailors with core expeditionary capabilities, including maritime security, and anti-terrorism and force protection.
“What the warfare pin says to the rest of the Navy is that the Navy recognizes that this is a crucial area that Sailors can participate in,” said Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). “These are core Navy skills that we need to fine-tune -- we need to hone. And we need to have a core group of Sailors that qualify in these specialized skills, just as you do in surface, aviation or subsurface.”
To qualify for the device, Hurtt participated in an expeditionary warfare program that focused on several skills including; weapons qualifications, marksmanship and maintenance; land navigation; and field communications. Completion of the program signifies he -- and other Sailors who achieve this accomplishment -- are operationally competent and have acquired additional knowledge that enhances the understanding of warfighting, mission effectiveness, and unit survivability.
“I worked hard for it,” Hurtt said. “A lot of guys along the way that I worked with [and] that I served with in Iraq, have pushed me along, and all the chiefs in my command have helped me, so it feels real good.”
Master Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposalman (EOD/PR) Anthony Santino, force master chief for NECC, said the concept of the new pin has been in the works for more than two years. He added that the program improves expeditionary Sailors’ knowledge and makes them more combat ready.
“[As part of the qualification program] the Sailor takes the time to learn everything about his warfare -- not just within his specific community, but they also learn other command types,” Santino said. “Additionally, it helps the Sailor on a personal level because [once a Sailor] is warfare qualified, he or she can be more competitive in advancement against their counterparts.”
Enlisted Sailors on Type 2 or 4 sea duty or those serving at a Reserve Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron (NCWS), Inshore Boat Unit (IBU), or Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) and permanently assigned to subordinate units of the program are eligible to work toward qualification.
Hurtt recently completed a six-month tour in Iraq conducting maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf while guarding the Al Basra Oil Terminal, alongside Iraqi Marines.
“When I was on the platform, I remember I sat down with one of my chiefs and I was talking to him," recalled Hurt. "He asked me what a goal of mine was, and I said it was to get an [expeditionary warfare] pin by January. On December 15, I achieved that -- and I achieved that ahead of schedule.”
Hurtt’s Mobile Security Squadron 7 is part of NECC. In January the Navy created the NECC, bringing Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Coastal Warfare, Riverine forces, Combat Camera Atlantic, the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support functions and the Seabees under one umbrella. NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the maritime security operations and the Global War on Terrorism as part of the joint force.
For related news, visit the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/necc (http://www.news.navy.mil/local/necc)/.