Aurora Native Trains as a U.S. Navy Surface Warrior

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Dusty Good

NEWPORT, R.I. – Lt. j.g. Patrick Tapp applied the lessons learned from Aurora, Colorado to become one of the most elite surface warriors.

“One of the things I learned when I was young was how to lead and look after people,” said Tapp. "It's helped me in the Navy because I can hear my sailors and listen to them and use it for our group’s advantage."

Those lessons turned into an opportunity to learn leadership and the most innovative tactics of surface warfare at Surface Warfare Officers School, located in Newport, Rhode Island.

“I love the people that I get to work with,” said Tapp. "Our mission and being out at sea is an awesome feeling."

Considered one of the Navy’s greatest assets, surface warfare officers must first train and be mentored at Surface Warfare Officer School. These students must pass a rigorous course structure in order to serve as surface warfare officers.

The mission of Surface Warfare Officers School is to ready sea-bound warriors to serve on surface combatants as officers, enlisted engineers, and enlisted navigation professionals to fulfill the Navy's mission maintaining global maritime superiority.

Once service members finish training they are deployed around the world putting their skill set to work aboard Navy ships, such as aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious warfare ships, mine warfare ships and littoral combat ships.

“At Surface Warfare Officers School, we are committed to training, developing and inspiring our Navy’s surface warfare officers,” said Capt. Scott Robertson, SWOS commanding officer. “Our graduates leave our courses ethically, intellectually, professionally and physically prepared to deliver professional leadership on every surface vessel in the fleet.”

Tapp is a 2011 graduate of George Washington High School and a 2015 graduate of University of Colorado (Boulder).

There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as a surface warfare officer and Tapp is most proud of leading junior sailors.

“We worked together, and I was able to learn from them which allowed me to lead them to achieve our goals as a group,” said Tapp.

The future of surface warfare is rapidly changing, so the course and materials at Surface Warfare Officer School are constantly evolving to create the most dynamic, lethal, safe and professional warfighting team for the Navy the nation needs.

“It is critical that students report to the fleet with the academic baseline required to perform as warfighters in today’s maritime environment,” said Lt. Matt Gallagher, the command’s public affairs officer. “SWOS training is at the epicenter of professional development for surface warfare officers throughout their careers.”

Surface warfare has been a part of world history for more than 3,000 years, and the United States has its stamp on that history with actions ranging from the American Revolution to modern day operations at sea around the world.

“I had two grandparents who served in the military,” said Tapp. "Seeing their character made me have a desire to do something more than just for myself."

As Tapp and other surface warriors continue to train, they take pride serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy is all about leading others and doing the job for the greater good,” said Tapp. "I serve for my country."