NEWPORT, R.I. – Lt. Cmdr. William Hessell applied the lessons learned from Gulfport, Mississippi to become one of the most elite surface warriors.
Those lessons, along with training and application learned during Hessell’s 13 years of naval service, turned into an opportunity to teach the most innovative tactics of surface warfare at Surface Warfare Officers School, located in Newport, Rhode Island.
“The best part about being an instructor is making a positive impact on someone's career,” said Hessell. "Teaching new concepts, like those required for littoral combat ships, has been rewarding. This has also forced me to be at the top of my game, knowledge-wise, to teach others."
Considered one of the Navy’s greatest assets, the instructors of Surface Warfare Officers School train and mentor the students who will use what they learn to lead sailors at sea. The 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.”
Hessell is a 2001 graduate of St. John High School and a 2005 graduate of the Naval Academy.
There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as an instructor and Hessell is most proud of his multiple deployments that were completed safely and successfully.
“During my third deployment, I was the navigator where we had 22 port visits in Europe and Africa,” said Hessell.
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.
Hessell is continuing a family tradition of military service.
“My dad was enlisted in the Navy and his father was an enlisted Marine,” said Hessell. "My grandfather was an officer in the Navy and my great uncle, who lived next door to me, was a captain in the Navy."
As Hessell and other instructors train future surface warriors, they take pride in what it means to serve their country in the United States Navy.
“I like to think that what I do makes a difference,” said Hessell. "I get to travel the world and lead sailors. I'm really proud of the larger purpose that our Navy provides."