US Navy Establishes New Job Classifications for Dedicated Cyber Ops Officers

The U.S. Navy has established new cyber job classifications for sailors. Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, the Navy’s information warfare chief and commander of Naval Information Forces, said this will provide the service with officers who can focus full-time and build expertise on cyberspace operations. The new classifications will also alleviate the demands placed on cryptologists and information technology professionals, who should instead focus on signals intelligence and electronic warfare, DefenseOne reported.

The Navy will also replace the rating of its cryptologic technician networks with cyber warfare technicians but their duties will remain the same. Aeschbach said there is no intention to change the duties of the CTNs who were already doing cyber-related work but only to improve their level of training.

The CWT rating will apply to both active duty, selected reserve sailors and associated billets. All occupational standards identified with the CTN rating will be retained by the CWT rating.