Photo by Dusty Good
NEWPORT, R.I. – Lt. Evan Shallcross applied the lessons learned from Tucson, Arizona to become one of the most elite surface warriors.
“Growing up in Tucson, I learned the importance of persistence in the face of adversity,” said Shallcross. "The nature of living in the desert weather, you learn how to push past the challenges that life will throw out you."
Those lessons, along with training and application learned during Shallcross’s six 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.
“I enjoy getting to interact with students," said Shallcross. "Forming a bond with the students and helping them make a positive change is very rewarding.”
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.”
Shallcross is a 2005 graduate of Catalina Foothills and a 2011 graduate of University of Arizona.
There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as an instructor and Shallcross is most proud of commissioning as an officer.
"Earning my commission was a moment of maturity and a sense of security,” said Shallcross. "I didn't have to worry as much anymore, because I was going down a relatively-set path where I'd be able to see and do many different things. It was one of those I made it moments. It was also a sense of gratitude for those who helped along the way, especially family and teachers."
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.
Shallcross is continuing a family tradition of military service.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military during World War II,” said Shallcross.
As Shallcross and other instructors train future surface warriors, they take pride in what it means to serve their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is an opportunity to grow, experience new things and to make a real difference in people's lives,” said Shallcross.
Those lessons, along with training and application learned during Shallcross’s six 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.
“I enjoy getting to interact with students," said Shallcross. "Forming a bond with the students and helping them make a positive change is very rewarding.”
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.”
Shallcross is a 2005 graduate of Catalina Foothills and a 2011 graduate of University of Arizona.
There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as an instructor and Shallcross is most proud of commissioning as an officer.
"Earning my commission was a moment of maturity and a sense of security,” said Shallcross. "I didn't have to worry as much anymore, because I was going down a relatively-set path where I'd be able to see and do many different things. It was one of those I made it moments. It was also a sense of gratitude for those who helped along the way, especially family and teachers."
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.
Shallcross is continuing a family tradition of military service.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military during World War II,” said Shallcross.
As Shallcross and other instructors train future surface warriors, they take pride in what it means to serve their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is an opportunity to grow, experience new things and to make a real difference in people's lives,” said Shallcross.