NEWPORT, R.I. -- Lt. Latasha Prater applied the lessons learned from Hot Springs to become one of the most elite surface warriors.
"My hometown taught me that no two different people grow up the same," Prater said in a news release. "It's helped me interact with people from different backgrounds while serving in the Navy."
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, R.I.
"Being a surface warfare officer allows me to have a large group of sailors who look up to me as a leader," said Prater. "I can impact their careers and personal and professional lives in a positive way."
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," Capt. Scott Robertson, SWOS commanding officer, said in the release. "Our graduates leave our courses ethically, intellectually, professionally and physically prepared to deliver professional leadership on every surface vessel in the fleet."
Prater is a 2006 graduate of Crossgate Christian Academy in Hot Springs and a 2011 graduate of the Naval Academy.
There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as a surface warfare officer and Prater is most proud of being part of the team who rescued a man overboard, the release said.
"I was able to save someone's life," Prater said in the release. "In a situation like that, some people would freeze up. I used my skills and training in the moment to make sure we could rescue him."
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, the release said.
"It is critical that students report to the fleet with the academic baseline required to perform as warfighters in today's maritime environment," Lt. Matt Gallagher, the command's public affairs officer, said in the release. "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.
"My grandfather was in the Air Force and told me about his pride in his service which influenced me to join," Prater said.
As Prater and other surface warriors continue to train, they said they take pride serving their country in the Navy.
"Serving in the Navy means being a part of a bigger cause," Prater said. "Being in the Navy allows me to interact with people from all over the world and serve as an ambassador representing the Navy and my country."
Local on 12/09/2018