GROTON, Conn. – – Information Systems Technician (Submarines) 1st Class Derrick Bassett, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, currently serves as an Instructor at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Virginia Beach Learning Site Groton, Connecticut.
Following graduation from Doherty High School in 2013, he enlisted in the Navy. Upon completion of Information Systems Technician “A” school, he reported to USS Minnesota (SSN 783), homeported in Groton, Connecticut. While aboard Minnesota, Bassett completed a deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet. There, he was responsible for the technical support and maintenance of submarine information systems such as local area networks, or LANs, tracking and correcting information assurance security issues, and providing leadership with accurate assessments of network and security performance.
In his current position, Bassett is an instructor responsible for training and preparing today’s information systems technicians (IT) with the skills required to defend the United States’ most secured and vital information in cyberspace.
Bassett and other staff at Learning Site Groton provide training to create warfighting options for fleet commanders, and advising decision makers at all levels. The IT rating serves globally aboard ships, submarines, and aircraft while also integrated into national mission support organizations from the Pentagon to the National Security Agency.
“Serving in the U.S. Navy is an accomplishment, and serving in the submarine force is an honor,” said Bassett. “The experience of working aboard one of the most advanced naval platforms is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being a part of the information warfare community and gaining a better understanding of the future of the cyber battlespace is the most fulfilling and rewarding position to be in.”
While growing up, Bassett knew that he wanted to serve his country.
“I had wanted to be in the Navy from a very young age, but I never imagined that I would have been assigned submarine duty,” Bassett stated. “The ability to see the world and be a part of the brotherhood that is submarines is incredible. The experience we are afforded by the Navy and the submarine force are unheard of in most other occupations. These things and the memories that I’ve made while serving – those will never be forgotten.”
As crew of one of the U.S. Navy’s most capable and advanced platform in the fleet, Bassett and his submarine shipmates know they play an integral part in our nations’ security. Submariners serve as a key part of the information warfare community in its mission to gain a deeper understanding of our adversaries and developing unmatched knowledge of the battlespace during wartime.
IWTC Virginia Beach, located in Dam Neck Annex, currently offers 65 courses of instruction in information technology, cryptology, and intelligence with an instructor and support staff of 280 military, civilian, and contractors who train over 6,500 students every year. It is one of four schoolhouses for the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and oversees learning sites at Jacksonville and Mayport, Florida; Kings Bay, Georgia; and Groton, Connecticut to continue aligning IW community training.
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.
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