CIWT and NAVIFOR Help Pave Way to Better Prepare CTIs for Future Assignments via the Naval...

Thanks to the efforts of key folks at the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), enlisted Sailors in cryptologic technician (interpretive) (CTI) rating are now earning graduate-level credit while also be better prepared for future assignments through a four-course certificate program in Regional Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).

The program was coordinated, staffed, and implemented through the efforts of Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Russ Crandall, Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Kasey Gallardo and Brad McNamar at NAVIFOR and Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Leah Strebin and Shannon Hickman at CIWT.

“This program is a long time coming, and I know we're all very excited for this opportunity for our E6-E8 cadre,” shared Crandall in a previous email. “We need as many quality applications as possible, so that we can ensure we're selecting the cream of the crop.”

The first three CTIs to be selected and attend the program–Chief Cryptologic Technicians (Interpretive) (CTIC) Ann Sonnier, Kevin Farr, and Naomi Mori–recently completed the program in June.

“With the students having to fight through the struggles of COVID, I think the program got off to a great start,” said Cmdr. Paul Rasmussen, NPS Regional Security Studies program officer. “This quarter, we have four students, and I am optimistic the students will continue the success of the previous quarter.”

Currently, four more CTIs were selected and are attending the program: Chief Cryptologic Technicians (Interpretive) Matthew Johnson, Gordon Morrey and Nathan Hebert along with Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Johannes Hubenthal.

This program is one of many efforts to increase regional expertise capabilities for the Navy, while building a professional CTI workforce to meet cultural and regional proficiency requirements.