Quick question. My fiance is taking his written exam for his ESWAS today. I was just wondering, what is ESWAS? I'm not even sure if that's how its spelled. :dunno

ESWS is a big long exam that is written and oral. Depending on who the people are who administer the boards, it can be easy or it can be very hard. The people can be very very nit picky as well.

This exam is valuable in a sense because it will show that the person can run anything on that ship if need be. Years ago it was an optional thing to take the exam and counted towards points for advancement but now it is mandatory and doesn't count towards points. If the AD member is an E6 he can not take the chief exam until this pin has been gotten.

It stands for Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, If hes on a carrier he can also get his EAWS which stands for Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist

To be short and sweet, the ESWS pin shows that your DF has excellent general knowledge of every aspect of the ship and it's operations. EVERY aspect. They take a written exam and then they have an oral board.