By Rick Burke
NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Santiago Figueroa, a native of Spring Valley, California, recently received the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) insignia serving aboard the U.S. Navy warship, USS Halsey, operating out of San Diego, California. The ESWS insignia signifies that a sailor has achieved the highest level of expertise in surface ships and in surface warfare.
“I was awarded my ESWS pin for accomplishing all required material and overall knowledge of the ship,” said Figueroa.
Figueroa, a 2018 graduate of Monte Vista High School, joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Figueroa serves as a gas turbine system technician responsible for operating and maintaining mechanical components of gas turbine engines and propulsion systems.
“My ESWS pin meant a lot to me, having to know all the basics of every other department on board was tough,” said Figueroa. “Personally, this was my third time trying to achieve this milestone. I’m glad to finally accomplish my goal and to show all of the junior sailors that no matter how many times you fail, with proper preparation and dedication, you can achieve any goal you set for yourself.”
USS Halsey is an Arleigh- Burke class guided-missile destroyer in the United States Navy. It is the second ship to be named after Adm. William Halsey, Jr.
Halsey, Jr. was an American Navy admiral during WWII. He is one of four officers to have attained the rank of five-star fleet admiral of the United States Navy.
According to Navy officials, a guided-missile destroyer provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
As Figueroa and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
