Naval aircrew warfare specialist (naws) designation

[Poolzer]

http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/C5553DC6-8FE4-4041-B2FB-47266630B788/0/1220020.pdf

As per yesterday, the Naval Aircrew designation (pin) is now the Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist (NAWS).

All current aircrewmen will be grandfathered. The requirements are basically the same just outlined as other warfare pins are.

You must hold an NEC that aquires flight pay and designated as an aircrewmen to be awarded it.

[indy]

Wow, talk about confusing - so NAC becomes NAWS on paper, but when used with a rate, it's still HM1(NAC)...

And then you now have NAWS (Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist) not to be confused with EAWS (Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist)....I wonder what prompted this change? or just the desire to be a part of a 'warfare' community like all the other recent changes (EXW comes to mind...)?

[oldavt]

Lemmings. Somebody somewhere up high had a thought, and now everybody has to show how much they embrace the idea. Maybe they'll create a Naval Administrative Staff Warfare pin.

[Poolzer]

Basically it means that aircrew can wear the 'wings of gold' above other warfare devices (whereas as a designator it always had to be worn below).

[indy]

well that's a good aspect of the change then - I always thought it was dumb that they had to be worn on the bottom.

[AnthonyParker07]

I have heard of 8401 and 8409 NEC's But is there any other HM Aircrew rates? I want gold wings and now it seems like theres only two choices 1. 8401 (dont like swimming but can very well) or cross-rate? any help is appreciate thanks.

v/r
HM3 Parker

[indy]

The only way to get your AC pin is to either go for the 8401/8406 route, or to cross rate to one of the Air communities - to be honest there really weren't that many ways to get it to begin with.

[Poolzer]

If you want a temp. fix with the wings w/o being able to wear them after that specific command, you can go green side and qual as a 2nd crewman/door gunner and will be awarded them, but as I said, once you leave that command you have to take them off.

The only true way for an HM to earn and wear the wings is going 8401.

[AnthonyParker07]

Thanks,
I guess ill be going back to school when i leave this command dont really care.

[kolohe]

I have been waiting on this change for a few years now. Is there any way you could post the message stating the change cause I know someone is going to get a big head and confront me on it when I change it, as I am in good old great lakes for another month at least trying to undo what screw up happened with my package with the help of some good people. I have no access to message traffic right now and it would be greatly appreciated.

[indy]

kolohe,

The link is in the first post on this thread by poolzer. It's not a message, but a change to the MILPERSMAN.

[kolohe]

Roger, normally there is a message accompanying it as well. Milpersman will work though. Thanks.