Information Warfare Officer Quest.

[AF Airman]

Hello im interesed in joining the navy as a officer once i complete my Bachelors. I plan on applying for BDCP once i met the requirements. Information Warfare is a job that has caught my attention adn was wondering if anyone knew something, anything about it. What do they do? What do you need to qualify for it? Any information on the job will help. Thank you.

[JJ]

HI, As a mom of an officer aboard the USS Enterprise, my suggestion to you is this: Contact your local Navy recruiter or Navy department and get the information you are looking for. That way, you can ask all sorts of questions and get the answers that are correct. You might even find out things that you will be very surprised to find out! Good luck.

[Lake George Sue]

I agree with JJ. The recruiter would know the right answers or at least steer you in the right direction to get the answers, but make sure you talk to an officer recruiter, not one of the enlisted recruiters who usually have recruitment offices in the mall or a store front. If you ask, the enlisted recruiter will give you info on how to get in touch with an officer recruiter, but don't be surprised if they try to get you to enlist right then. My son went to one in the mall who asked, "why would you want to be an officer?". Officer recruiters are harder to get in touch with, but they will give you the information you need. Just keep trying until you talk to one.
Good luck with BDCP. Don't forget about OCS too.

[AF Airman]

Thank you. I have already spoken to an officer recruiter i emailed him to send me some info but im still waiting. I should probably give him a call. It is pretty hard to get in touch with him. The enlisted recruiters do try to talk you out of becoming an officer haha. Thanks i appreciate your help. I cant wait to finish school and go to OCS.

[Lake George Sue]

I wish I could talk about BDCP, but my son only got interested in joining the Navy when he was in his senior year in college, so he only checked out OCS. The officer recruiter my son dealt with (Albany, NY) was amazingly difficult to get in touch with, but that was a few years ago and maybe they're more cooperative now. Once he did start the process, the recruiter told him that it was up to him (my son) to keep the process moving. There were lots of phone calls from my son to the recruiter to gently remind him to send in paperwork and check to see what the results were. Sometimes several weeks would go by when phone calls weren't returned by the recruiter. I know this because for about half the time he was in the process he was living at home with my husband and I after he graduated (and working 3 part-time jobs), so I got to watch and listen. He expected to be gone to OCS at any minute, but it took 9 months from the time he first got in touch with the recruiter until he started OCS. Imagine his joy to be living with his parents again after being away at school for 4 years! It's a long process and there's lots of testing (both physical and mental) before you will be accepted into OCS.. I'm sure the process for BDCP is just as challenging. You've got to keep on top of it. I think they drag their feet on purpose to see how motivated you are. OCS sure isn't easy so the more motivated you are the more successful you'll be. It's a long process, but it's well worth it. My son is very happy with his decision to join the Navy. Good luck and success in your future.

[Chris]

I would look here for up to date information re BDCP. Good luck.

[Chris]

Google results:

SPECIAL DUTY - INFORMATION WARFARE OFFICER
Updated 18 Nov 2008

Community Overview. The IW Officer must be a professional who cannot only lead and potentially command, but one that is technically prepared to meet the challenges of the worldwide explosion in technology. Modern technology has created a different type of war often referred to as information warfare. Sea duty opportunities in the IW community takes many forms from TAD deployments onboard ships and submarines, to PCS assignments aboard aircraft carriers, amphibious units, cruisers and destroyers, to staff assignments with the numbered fleet commanders. IW officers may be assigned to flight duty at commands which conduct fleet airborne reconnaissance operations. A rigorous training pipeline precedes assignment to Rota, Spain or Misawa, Japan for duty in support of VQ's 1 and 2. This training includes water survival, Flight Physiology, SERE, and airframe familiarization training. Additionally, officers may be assigned, following the same training pipeline, as OIC of NSG Detachment at Barbers Point, HI or Brunswick, ME. Education and training play a significant role in IW officers' professional development and provide the tools required for performance in subsequent tours of duty. The IW community provides an exciting and challenging career. Duty afloat and ashore in foreign countries, educational opportunities within the community and through NPS and Service Colleges lead to assignments from the Joint Duty Assignment List and possible joint designation. Command and Staff assignments in research and development and systems acquisition provide the rounding IW officers should have at the most senior levels. The Navy's IW officers perform:

- Naval Information Warfare and related functions as directed by the Chief of Naval Operations.
- National Signals Intelligence tasks assigned by the Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service (DIRNSA/CHCSS). These functions include:
- Information Warfare (IW) support to deployed ships, submarines, and aircraft.
- Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) tasks assigned by both CNO and DIRNSA where appropriate.
- Information Warfare (Protect) to minimize foreign exploitation of the Navy's electromagnetic system.

Information Warfare Officers are designated Special Duty (Cryptology) with the designator 161X. Presently, there are over 700 161X officers. Together with the Information Warfare Limited Duty Officers (644X) and Information Warfare Chief Warrant Officers (744X), the Information Warfare officer community numbers just under 1,000.

Active duty obligation. Four years from the date of appointment.

Training pipeline following commission. Officers entering the Information Warfare community, whether new accession or lateral transfer, attend the 13-week Naval Information Warfare Officer Basic Course (NCOBC) at NTTC Corry Station, Pensacola, FL. This course teaches new Information Warfare Officers the fundamentals of Cryptology and includes the following topics:

- Introduction to Security
- U.S. Cryptologic System
- Electromagnetic Theory
- RADAR's
- Satellite Fundamentals
- Military Communications
- Signal Collection Operations
- Tactical Cryptology
- Collection Management
- Traffic Analysis
- SIGINT Reporting
- Information Operations
- Computer Networks

This training provides the fundamental skills necessary to conduct cryptologic operations both afloat and ashore. Upon graduation, initial assignment will be to the National Security Agency or one of the Naval Security Group (NSG) field activities worldwide. Officers will have leadership and operational responsibilities in the areas of collection, analysis & reporting, administration, communications, or information systems security. At this first assignment, Information Warfare Officer will gain basic leadership and management experience, while completing their job Qualification Requirement (JQR) for Information Warfare Officer. These skills are increasingly important as an officer progresses to more responsible duties and must motivate and lead our highly skilled enlisted technicians. While assigned to NSG activities, officers may be given the opportunity to deploy, in a TAD status, aboard combatant ships, (VQ) EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft or submarines. In that capacity the officer is charged with providing tactical cryptologic support to the commanding officer and/or embarked staff. Information Warfare Officers will normally complete NCOBC and one shore tour prior to assignment to an afloat billet as ship's company.

Locations of initial fleet assignments. All officers will initially attend the Naval Information Warfare Officers Course (NCOBC), an in-depth and regorous 13 week course conducted at NTTC Corry Station, Pensacola, FL. Following NCOBC, officers will be assigned to various NSG command either stateside or abroad. Initial duties normally consist of Direct Support (Airborne, Surface, Subsurface or Forward deployed Staffs,) or at Regional SIGINT Operational Centers located at various sites world-wide.

Special pay/bonuses. None.

Basic eligibility requirements.
- be a U.S. citizen.
- be at least 19 and under 35 when commissioned.
- possess, or be in pursuit of, an accredited baccalaureate degree
- be physically qualified by Naval standards.

Web sites.

http://www.npc.navy.mil/officer/pers44/informationwarfare

[AF Airman]

Thats ALOT if info. Thank you so much i really appreciate it.

[dmarie]

Hi!
Here is a link to the OCS Foundation Forums. There is a forum for IW, and you may be able to find some info here as well.
http://www.usnavyocs.com/portal/modules.php?name=Forums

Whichever path you choose, college should be more relevant now that you have a goal in sight. Good luck and keep us posted!