PENSACOLA, Fla. – Director for Information Warfare Integration, Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (OPNAV N2N6F), Rear Adm. Steve Parode visited the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station to review information warfare (IW) training initiatives and discuss current and future training for the Navy’s rapidly changing IW missions, capabilities and roles, March 25.
Parode began the visit with CIWT Commanding Officer Capt. Nick Andrews, where Andrews discussed various topics to include the developments of training CIWT offers from rating-specific enlisted apprentice to cyber warfare to officer courses.
Parode’s visit also offered an opportunity to update him on the latest force training transformation approaches for building a talented fleet through initiatives, such as Ready, Relevant Learning.
"As our resource sponsor, it's imperative that we keep Rear Adm. Parode completely informed on our challenges, our innovation and how we are transforming the development and delivery of training at the right time in the right way for our information warriors," said Andrews. "The visit allows us an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth and scope of the CIWT domain, and for him to observe the commitment and passion of our instructors and staff in forging IW students into highly skilled, operational, and combat-ready warfighters."
Parode was then presented CIWT domain training related briefs and participated in detailed discussions with various CIWT and IWTC Corry Station leaders and subject matter experts. Topics ranged from the Apprentice Cryptologic Language Program to the Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment Increment F and AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic warfare systems to the latest in Cyber Mission Force training developments.
“The fleet’s demands for delivering ready Sailors into information warfare missions have changed, and the reality is we need to get them there faster,” said Parode. “It’s imperative we are innovative and agile in attaining more from our information warfare readiness, capability, lethality investments.”
Other events throughout the day included discussions with students in the Cryptologic Warfare Officer Basic (CWOBC) and Afloat Cryptologic Managers (ACM) courses; lunch with CIWT and IWTC Corry Station leaders at the base galley; and a tour and discussion of the temporary modular Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) trailers that will add an additional 27,000 square feet of space for IW training.
During the visit with the CWOBC and ACM students, Parode discussed the latest Navy IW developments and encouraged the officers and chiefs to become the finest warfighters in their commands.
“Our Sailors and commanders not only depend on our robust IW skills, but they rely heavily on us to be great officers and chiefs who are always prepared fight and win,” added Parode. “Ensure you and your warfighting teams continuously train to improve and excel in any tactical situation. We expect this, no, we and require this from each of you as leaders.”
While at the modular SCIF facilities, Pardoe communicated how appreciative he was of the creativeness of the CIWT team in championing resources to train and deliver combat-ready warfighters to the fleet.
“The CIWT team has been truly innovative in seeking and implementing solutions to hard training challenges during this rapidly accelerating ‘great power competition’ era,” shared Parode. “I’m thoroughly impressed by Capt. Andrews’ entire team and how they prepare our Sailors for the fight.”
With four schoolhouse commands, two detachments, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT is recognized as Naval Education and Training Command’s top learning center for the past three years. Training over 21,000 students every year, CIWT delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.
For news from the Center for Information Warfare Training organization, visit www.navy.mil/local/cid/, www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ciwt/, www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.