Senior Enlisted Advisor
AWRCS(NAC/AW/SW) Shawn D. Cossins
Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) Shawn D. Cossins is a native of Grand Junction, Colorado, and a 2004 graduate of Grand Junction High School. He also graduated Suma Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development in 2016 and is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 261.
He joined the Navy under the Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) contract in August 2004 and completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, in October of that same year. He continued his aviation training by attending Naval Aircrewman Candidate School, Aviation Rescue Swimmer School, and Naval Aircrewman (AW) “A” School in Pensacola, Florida. He reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 40, the “Airwolves,” for SH-60B Seahawk helicopter Fleet Replacement Aircrew Training, then to Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) School in August 2005.
In April 2006, he reported to his first fleet assignment at the “Grand Masters” of HSL-46, home ported in Mayport, Florida. While attached, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom aboard USS Anzio (CG 68) and on a Counter-Narcotic Terrorism deployment aboard USS DeWert (FFG 45). He also volunteered for Operation Unified Response, and executed 35 medical evacuations supporting the country of Haiti. During his tenure at HSL-46, Cossins promoted to Second Class Petty Officer, earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) qualifications and graduated from Seahawk Weapons and Tactic Instructor School.
In October 2010, he reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Atlantic (HSMWSL) in Mayport, Florida, for instructor duty. While assigned he worked as the Search and Rescue (SAR) Standardization Petty Officer, Surface Warfare (SUW) leading petty officer (LPO), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) LPO and Special Projects Instructor. He qualified as a Master Training Specialist and was awarded Junior Sailor of the Year and Instructor of the Year for fiscal year 2013. After completion of his shore tour Cossins was promoted to First Class Petty Officer.
In November 2013 after accumulating 1500 flight hours in the SH-60B helicopter, Cossins reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, for transition to the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. After completion of Category II Fleet Replacement training in July 2014, he reported to HSM-48 “Vipers” in Mayport, Florida, for his second sea tour. While attached he deployed as the Training and Operations LPO aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) in support of nationally tasked Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions for Commander, Task Force (CTF) 80/84. Additionally, during this tour, he assumed the role as Command Enlisted Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (E-SWTI), Training LPO, Aircrew LPO, Command Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures (NATOPS) Instructor, and SAR Instructor. He was awarded Aircrewman of the Year fiscal year 2015 and Sailor of the Year fiscal year 2016. As Cossins was preparing to depart HSM-48 in 2017, he was selected to Chief Petty Officer.
In January 2018, he reported to Commander Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic (CHSMWL) as the Training Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) where he managed the training and readiness of 215 Atlantic Aircrewman and stood up the Naval Aircrewman Training Simulator (NATS) program. As he was preparing to depart CHSMWL in 2020, he promoted to Senior Chief and received orders to his third sea tour at the “Proud Warriors” of HSM-72. While attached he served as the Operations, Training, and Safety Department LCPO and deployed to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After a successful tour he was awarded Chief Petty Officer of the Year for fiscal year 2023 and transferred to HSMWSL where he is currently serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor.
Senior Chief Cossins personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (eight awards), Good Conduct Medal (six awards), Military Outstanding Service Medal and numerous other unit citations and personal commendations.