Are you considering a career in the Navy's Information Warfare Community? As a former cryptologic officer, I'm here to provide an insider's perspective on this rapidly evolving field.

In this episode, I break down the various designators within the Information Warfare Community, with a special focus on opportunities for those interested in cyber operations. From meteorology to intelligence, and from cryptologic warfare to the newly established Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO) role, we explore the diverse paths available.

Key Insights:

• Understanding the differences between cryptologic warfare, MCWO, and cyber warfare engineer (CWE) roles
• The recent shift of Information Warfare from restricted line to direct line community
• Deployment expectations and career progression for each designator
• Understanding the Cyber Mission Force and its components that MCWOs will be a part of

What You'll Learn:

• How the Navy is adapting to meet the growing demand for cyber specialists
• The pros and cons of each Information Warfare designator
• What to expect in terms of education, training, and daily responsibilities
• How recent changes might affect commissioning opportunities at the Naval Academy

Whether you're a midshipman weighing your service assignment options or a high school student with an interest in military cyber operations, this episode provides valuable insights to help guide your decision-making process.

Remember, if you're looking for fleet experience and deployments, cryptologic warfare might be your best bet. But if you're set on focusing solely on cyber operations, the MCWO path could be your ideal route.

Have questions about the Information Warfare Community? Reach out, and I'll connect you with current officers who can provide even more detailed information about their experiences.

The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.

Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.

He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.

We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.

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