Surface Warfare Schools Command - SWSC

10/20/2026

🏆🌊 Fair winds and following seas to a true surface navigation leader🌊🏆

Last week, SWSC bid farewell to Walt O'Donnell, who was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his extraordinary leadership as the Surface Navigator (SURFNAV) Course Supervisor since 2019. Throughout his tenure, O'Donnell demonstrated top-notch technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to Fleet readiness, personally leading the modernization of SURFNAV and expanding the program from four to seven weeks. Under his stewardship, SURFNAV trained over 950 Navigators and 600 Assistant Navigators, directly influencing the operational capability of every surface combatant in the Fleet.

Walt’s dedication has set a lasting standard of excellence at SWSC. His exceptional mentorship has ensured that our SURFNAV instructors remain true subject-matter experts, leaving behind a legacy of highly trained, confident navigators who are fully prepared to guide warships across the globe. Thank you, Walt, for your outstanding service to the Navy!

10/16/2026

🌊 Hands-on damage control under pressure 🌊

Yesterday, students in SWSC’s International Division Officer (IDIVO) course put their damage control skills to the test aboard the USS Buttercup wet trainer at Officer Training Command Newport. This hands-on simulator forces students to work as a cohesive team to combat active flooding, patch ruptured pipes, and secure compromised bulkheads under realistic, high-stress conditions.

This training is vital for our international partners because damage control is a universal skill where clear communication and swift action save lives. Operating side-by-side inside the wet trainer builds the critical shipboard survival skills and mutual trust needed to ensure our allies can effectively respond to emergencies and maintain readiness at sea.

10/13/2026

⚓🎂 251 years of securing the seas 🎂⚓

Today, SWSC celebrates the United States Navy’s 251st Birthday. For over two and a half centuries, our Navy has stood as a beacon of strength, courage, resolve, and a steadfast commitment to defending freedom.

Here at SWSC, we are proud to train the next generation of Surface Warriors who carry this legacy forward. To all who have stood the watch, those currently deployed, and the families who support them, thank you for your dedication to our mission and to our Nation. Happy Birthday, Navy!

10/09/2026

🧹🧹A clean sweep!🧹🧹

Congratulations to the following SWOs who recently passed ALL sections of their Command Assessment on their FIRST attempt: LCDRs Landry, Kaiser, Jorsch, Losee, Marmureanu, Nelson, Salonga, Coker, Geyer, Ramos, and LT Hill. Best of luck with your next assignments!

Delivering highly capable leaders directly to the Fleet is vital to operational readiness. This first-time success demonstrates profound knowledge and skill, ensuring surface combatants are helmed by officers proven ready to lead Sailors, manage complex warfighting systems, and maintain global maritime superiority.

10/07/2026

⚓🎯 Battleship meets SURFNAV! 🎯⚓

Yesterday, SWSC's Surface Navigator (SURFNAV) instructors faced off in the high-stakes "Battleship" edition of the SURFNAV Olympics! Two teams went head-to-head answering real SURFNAV exam questions, earning "missiles" to launch at the opposing team's chart with every correct answer. To keep the pressure on, teams also drew random wildcards that introduced tactical twists, including forcing opponents to solve problems in the dark.

Events like this are designed to build strong team morale while keeping our instructor cadre razor-sharp on the vital curriculum they deliver every day. This continuous pursuit of excellence is critical to the Fleet. By ensuring our instructors remain true masters of their craft, SWSC guarantees that prospective shipboard Navigators learn from the Navy's most proficient navigation expert, ensuring our warships are guided by confident leaders who can safely navigate any waters.

10/02/2026

🌊 Forging the foundation of our Surface Warriors 🌊

SWSC's Basic Division Officer Course (BDOC), taught at Mariner Skills Training Center Atlantic and Mariner Skills Training Center Pacific, is the premier pipeline for preparing newly commissioned SWOs to lead on the deckplates of the Fleet. This intensive course serves as the bedrock of a Surface Warfare Officer's career, transforming young officers into confident, competent leaders ready to manage division-level operations.

This foundational training is absolutely vital for ensuring Fleet readiness from day one. By combining rigorous classroom instruction with high-fidelity simulator training, SWSC equips these junior officers with the precise shiphandling, navigation, division officer fundamentals, and damage control skills needed to instantly add value to their crews and confidently lead their Sailors.

09/30/2026

⚓ A first for deckplate training standards ⚓

For the first time in command history, SWSC's Training Requirements and Management Directorate (N9) collaborated directly in person with the crew of USS Wichita (LCS 13) to validate shipboard Personnel Qualification Standards.

By bringing the PQS development team straight to the deckplates, SWSC is innovating how the Navy updates and refines its critical training baselines for PQS related to damage control, navigation, and engineering. This direct, in-person collaboration is vital for maintaining peak Fleet readiness. By taking ownership of these standards and bridging the gap between SWSC HQ and the Fleet, SWSC ensures that training pipelines directly translate to real-world operational excellence.

Read more here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/576017

09/25/2026

⚓ Preparing the Navy's future Commodores ⚓

This week, SWSC's Senior Officer Training directorate (N75) successfully executed the newly established Prospective Commodore Course, culminating in a rigorous, realistic tactical wargame. N75 leveraged its staff to deliver this highly complex curriculum, which also featured invaluable mentorship sessions where students engaged directly with current and former Fleet Commodores.

This course is vital for the strategic and operational readiness of the Surface Fleet. By combining high-stress wargames with direct mentorship from seasoned leaders who have sat in the seat, SWSC forces future commanders to navigate complex modern threat environments, synchronize force-wide tactics, and sharpen their combat command decision-making. Through this elite preparation, SWSC ensures that our squadron and group commanders depart with both the strategic alignment and hard-earned command wisdom required to lead our warships and win.

09/22/2026

09/18/2026

⚓Navy Chief, Navy Pride!⚓

Congratulations to all those within the SWSC domain who pinned Chief Petty Officer this week! Whether serving at SWSC HQ in Newport or at one of our learning sites across the globe, these newly pinned leaders make a tangible, daily impact on the readiness of the Surface Force.

Becoming a Chief Petty Officer is a monumental milestone in a Sailor's career, marking a transition into a leadership role of immense responsibility. As the backbone of the Navy, Chiefs provide the invaluable deckplate mentorship, guidance, and technical expertise that shape our junior Sailors and support our wardrooms. Their leadership is absolutely essential for maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and warfighting readiness within the Surface Warfare community.