Navy establishes the Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO) Designator 1880

ByNavalInformationForces

SUFFOLK VA The Navy has announced the establishment of the MaritimeCyberWarfareOfficer(MCWO)Designator via Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN)143⁄23

The 2023 National Defense AuthorizationAct(NDAA),signedintolawonDec.23, 2022, directed the Secretary of the Navy, in coordinationwiththeChiefofNavalOperations toestablishacyberwarfareoperations designatorforofficerswithin180daysafter enactmentoftheNDAA

Previously, the Navy has utilized officers within the Information Warfare (IW) community, including Cryptologic Warfare (CW) and Information Professional (IP) to fill billets across the Cyber Operations Forces(COF).TheestablishmentofMCWO will allow officers to build expertise and professionalexperiencewithintheCOF.

Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander of NavalInformationForces and the Navy’s Information Boss, explained how the Navy developed its plan to establish the MCWO designator

“The Navy is committed to meeting current and future cyber capability requirements Naval Information Forces and key leaders in IW domain closely examined the IW construct and determined it did not adequately support multiple tours in the cyber mission area.

Creation of the MCWO designator creates a career path for those officers to specialize in the cyber mission and develop their unique and critical skillset.

The establishment of the MCWO designatorisamajormilestoneinexpandingthe Navycybermissionandrecognizesthecriticalneedforcyberspecializationamongthe Navy officer line community MCWOs are experts in cyberspace operations, focused on both Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) and Defensive Cyberspace Operations(DCO).

“IWOfficershavebeenabsolutelycritical toaddressingthreatsincyberspace ensuring our Navy and joint force stay in competition,” continued Aeschbach. “The Navy is committed to developing cyber specialization and skill sets among the MCWO Community to pace this competition, and to prevail in conflict if they are ever called todoso.”

NAVIFOR’s mission is to generate, directly and through our leadership of the IW Enterprise, agile and technically superior manned, trained, equipped, and certified combat-ready IW forces to ensure our Navy will decisively DETER, COMPETE, andWIN.

FormoreinformationonNAVIFOR,visit the command Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/NavalInformationForces/ or the public web page at https:// www.navifor.usff.navy.mil.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore carries the torch of his family legacy

ByCpl.AdamHenkeand

Cpl CalebStelter

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION

CHERRY POINT, N.C. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore, an aviation-logistics information-management systems (ALIMS) specialist with Marine Aviation LogisticsSquadron(MALS)14 reenlistedin theU.S.MarineCorpstocontinuehisfamily’s legacy. Gilmore’s grandfather and great uncle served in the military, and his father served24yearsintheU.S.MarineCorps.

“I’vealwaystoldmydadI’mgoingtobeat his time in service,” said Gilmore “He was priorenlistedandbecameanofficer Iwant tofollowinhisfootsteps,andIcan’tdothat ifIdon’treenlist.”

After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Gilmore graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and received orders to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, for follow-on training at the Basic ReconnaissanceCourse However,Gilmoredecidedto change his military occupational specialty andwasassignedtobeanALIMSspecialist. At first he felt indifferent about this unexpected challenge for he preferred to work inamorehands-onenvironment.However, thatmentalityeventuallychanged.

“Ilikeworkingwithcomputersnow,”said Gilmore. “I found a new love for it. It’s very satisfyingknowinghowmuchI’vechanged.”

Now stationed at Marine Corps Air StationCherryPoint,NorthCarolina,Gilmore works on a broad spectrum of network infrastructureandinformationsystemsthat supporttheaircraftandaeronauticalcomponentsforMarineAircraftGroup(MAG)14

“I’ve come to enjoy working with the pilots, working around the aircraft, and seeing my computer server used by just about everybody,” Gilmore said. “It’s pretty satisfying knowing those jets are flying becauseofourservers.”

Despite transitioning to a different military occupational specialty than initially intended,Gilmorehasnotletthatdeterhim fromhisoriginalgoalofservinghiscountry formorethantwentyyears

“Idon’tseemyselfdoinganythingbesides whatI’mdoingnow,whichisstayinginthe military,”saidGilmore “Itneveroccurredto methatI’dhaveanyotherjob Withoutthis, I’dbeprettylost.

In December 2022, Gilmore earned his bachelor’s degree in history He plans to submit an enlisted-to-officer commissioning program application to pursue becoming a commissioned officer like his father Aftercompletinghisfirstenlistment,Gilmore advises every Marine to consider their future opportunities that come with reenlistingintheUnitedStatesMarineCorps “Ithinkeverybodyhasthechancetoreenlistifyoujustworkhardenough,”saidGilmore. “You have the opportunity to do it, so workforit.”

U.S.Marine Corps Sgt.Jacob Gilmore, an aviation-logistics information management systems specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14 speaks during an interviewat Marine CorpsAirStation CherryPoint,North Carolina,March 15,2023.Gilmore discussedwhyhe thinks Marines should reenlist and get the most out of theirMarine Corps experience.MALS14 is a subordinate unit of2nd Marine AircraftWing the aviation combat element ofII Marine Expeditionary Force.(U.S.MARINE CORPSSTILLIMAGE EXTRACTEDFROM VIDEOBYCPL CHRISTIANCORTEZ)