The Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge is a military badge of the United States Navy which was created in March 1980. The badge recognizes those members of the Navy’s enlisted force who have acquired the specific professional skills, knowledge, and military experience that result in qualification for service in the aviation activities of the Navy. This includes most personnel who are trained flight deck personnel onboard aircraft carriers. Aviation Specialist Badge File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Military badges of the United States are devices of personal recognition that are granted to service members of the United States armed forces to denote personal accomplishment, qualifications, and participation in designated military campaigns or other activities. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... An aircraft carrier is a warship whose main role is to deploy and recover aircraft—in effect acting as a sea-going airbase. ...

The basic prerequisite for the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge is that a service member be assigned in a sea-duty status to a deployable naval aviation unit or aviation capable ship. Most service members earning this badge hold an enlisted rating designated in aviation, or a support rating; in the 21st century Navy the ratings that are eligible include: The 21st century is the century that began on 1 January 2001 and will last to 31 December 2100. ...

• AB - Aviation Boatswain's Mate
• AC - Air Traffic Controller
• AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate
• AE – Aviation Electrician's Mate
• AG - Aerographer's Mate
• AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic
• AO - Aviation Ordnanceman
• AS - Aviation Support Equipment Technician
• AT - Aviation Electronics Technician
• AW - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator
• AZ - Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
• HM - Hospital Corpsman
• PH - Photographer's Mate
• PR - Aircrew Survival Equipmentman
• SK - Storekeeper
• YN - Yeoman

The non-designated striker rates of Airman, Airman Apprentice, and Airman Recruit are also eligible to receive the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge. However, due to the time involved in the qualification procedure, most service members obtain at least a 3rd class Petty Officer rating before earning the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge. Airman is a term used to refer to any enlisted personnel in the United States Air Force or Other Ranks in the Royal Air Force (in which airwoman is also seen). ...

The qualification process to obtain the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge begins with the Enlisted Aviation Personal Qualification Standards, also known as PQS. There are two PQS for the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge. The first is the Common Core which consists of concepts, policies, and tasks that are common throughout Naval aviation and provide a foundation for the sailor's knowledge. The second is a platform-specific PQS which consists of several training tasks and other practical experience on-the-job exercises relevant to the particular aviation community the sailor is currently serving in, for example an F/A-18 squadron or a Nimitz class aircraft carrier. The entire Enlisted Aviation PQS normally takes approximately three to five years to complete from the point of entering the enlisted aviation community though it can be completed much earlier with much dedication and effort. The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. ... USS Nimitz in 1997 The Nimitz class supercarriers are the largest warships in the world. ... An aircraft carrier is a warship whose main role is to deploy and recover aircraft—in effect acting as a sea-going airbase. ...

Those completing the Enlisted Aviation PQS must then pass a written examination and a review board conducted by senior enlisted aviation personnel, normally the rank of Chief Petty Officer or above. Upon passing both the examination and the oral board, the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge may be presented. The sailor is then authorized to add the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist designator (AW) after his or her rate. Good conduct variation Chief Petty Officer insignia Chief Petty Officer is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer First Class and below Senior Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ...

Upon transfer to the sailor's next aviation command, he or she is required to complete an abbreviated re-qualification process to familiarize the sailor with the differences between various aviation platforms. This process must be completed within 12 months of reporting aboard or the sailor loses the right to wear the EAWS badge.

The Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge is not required for continued advancement in the Navy, however for those in aviation rates the badge must be obtained by three years as a Second Class Petty Officer. Those failing to obtain the badge may be ineligible for reenlistment in their current rate or may be restricted to shore assignments.

The Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge is considered one of three primary warfare badges available to the Navy’s enlisted force. The other two aforementioned badges are the Enlisted Submarine Warfare Badge and the Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin. The Aircrew Badge is a similar badge available to some enlisted personnel of the U.S. Navy aviation community. The Aircrew Badge is a separate badge from the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge, and qualified service members are eligible to wear both badges simultaneously. Officer and Enlisted Submarine Badges The Submarine Warfare Insignia (usually known as dolphins or fish) is a uniform breast pin worn by enlisted men and officers of the United States Navy to indicate that they are qualified in submarines. ... The Surface Warfare Badge is a military badge of the United States Navy which is issued to those Naval personnel who are trained and qualified to perform duties aboard United States surface warships. ... The Aircrew Badge is a decoration of the United States military which is awarded by all five branches of military service. ...