Photo by Dusty Good
NEWPORT, R.I. – Lt. Ashlee Dillard-Houston applied the lessons learned from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to become one of the most elite surface warriors.
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 want to continue serving as a surface warfare officer as a department head because this is a great opportunity,” said Dillard-Houston. "When I was on shore duty I missed the operational complexities of being at sea. I want to go back out to sea to be there for my sailors. If I want to effect change I need to be on the inside. Plus, what we do as surface warriors is very cool."
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.”
Dillard-Houston is a 2006 graduate of Bayside High School and a 2011 graduate of Hampton University.
There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as a surface warfare officer and Dillard-Houston is most proud of passing the damage control section of the ship's inspection serving aboard USS Shiloh homeported in Japan.
“I was proud of my sailors who took ownership of their own equipment,” said Dillard-Houston. "For them to do that and to see the pride they took in their work was very rewarding."
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.
Dillard-Houston is continuing a family tradition of military service.
“My dad served in the Navy aboard submarines,” said Dillard-Houston.
As Dillard-Houston and other surface warriors continue to train, they take pride serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I wanted to be like my dad to demonstrate pride in my father's service and carry on what he did in the Navy,” said Dillard-Houston.
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.
Dillard-Houston is continuing a family tradition of military service.
“My dad served in the Navy aboard submarines,” said Dillard-Houston.
As Dillard-Houston and other surface warriors continue to train, they take pride serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I wanted to be like my dad to demonstrate pride in my father's service and carry on what he did in the Navy,” said Dillard-Houston.