Photo by Dusty Good
NEWPORT, R.I. – Lt. Cmdr. Travis Anderson applied the lessons learned from Milford, Ohio, to become one of the most elite surface warriors.
Those lessons, along with training and application learned during Anderson’s 17 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.
“It's rewarding to be able to impart some of the knowledge that I gained as a tactical action officer to some of the younger officers who are going out to lead the fleet,” said Anderson. "This command gives me the ability to spend time with my family too."
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.”
Anderson is a 1999 graduate of Milford High School and a 2004 graduate of Ohio University.
There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as an instructor and Anderson is most proud of serving as the operation officer aboard USS Hopper.
“I was able to guide the schedule of a warship abroad,” said Anderson. "I got to see the fruits of my labor every day as far as what 280 sailors were doing in a coordinated effort to accomplish ship missions.”
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.
As Anderson and other instructors train future surface warriors, they take pride in what it means to serve their country in the United States Navy.
“I take pride in serving my community and country, and I enjoy seeing the pride my children have in what I do,” said Anderson.