The Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) recently completed a year-long initiative of updating and modernizing the Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) Rate Training Manual (RTM) (NAVEDTRA 15023B).
 
The CTI rating was under a life cycle update and the project streamlined and modernized the current look of the online version of the RTM. Interactive courseware, and updated illustrations were introduced with revised training aids.
 
CIWT partnered with a team of contracted training specialists to develop and deliver a fresh look to the manual to assist in the professional development of Sailors in the rate.
 
“Each year, CIWT updates a few rate training manuals or non-resident training courses, and in doing so, we ensure that the fundamental baseline of knowledge for a given rating is modernized and relevant,” said Neil Watson, the CIWT RTM/Non-Resident Training Courses (NRTC) Program Analyst. “Our Information Warfare Enterprise of cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, and IW officers are consistently investing in their professional level of knowledge and we insist on meeting the challenge of providing up-to-date, significantly germane information ready for Fleet access.”
 
Used primarily to prepare for advancement exams or to expand life-cycle rating knowledge, NRTCs and RTM self-study packages are essential the professional development of all Sailors.
 
“Working on the CTI Rate Training Manual has been quite the experience,” shared CIWT’s Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Gloriana Jensen. “The scope of our job and rate has evolved tenfold from my early days as a CTI3. We hope that this manual will provide insight into the many roles that linguists play in the Navy, aside from language.”
 
Updated RTMs help Navy leadership to meet operational, readiness, policy, acquisition, and professional development requirements, while also assisting Sailors to learn at higher velocity.
 
“The CTI Rate Training Manual is a way for the rating to have a document, available to all, that provides a baseline awareness and knowledge of the fundamental aspects of our rating,” said Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Benjamin Midkiff. “It can be used to supplement CTI's studies for advancement exams or provide a CTI with a basic foundation in aspects of the rating that they may not have been exposed to, but could be expected to know about as a part of their duties. I also think it's a useful tool for senior CTIs to stay up-to-speed on current CTI operations to ensure they lead their rating as effectively as possible.”
 
The enlisted RTM / NRTCs provide entry-level IW Enterprise officers with an excellent overview of the ratings they’ll manage throughout their careers. They also give information that directly supports the IW personnel qualification standards and Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist qualifications.
 
To access the material and complete the electronic assessment of the RTM for credit receive credit, Sailors need to visit their rating page on the CIWT portal.
 
"Our team is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a vital part of our rating and a CTIs place in the Navy,” said Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) First Class Daniel Thomas. “We truly believe the work we put into the RTM will create a better future and knowledge base for all Navy linguists. We look forward to promoting the RTM wherever we go, and seeing it evolve into an even better resource as future CTIs continue to develop and offer their input.”
 
Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) First Class Anthony Anderson said he felt both humbled and satisfied to have contributed to the future of his rate. He was grateful to have had the chance to work with the team and saw it as his opportunity to help prepare competent future CTIs.
 
“It was an honor to work on updating the RTM with a team of professional CTIs that will benefit our rate for future generations,” added Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) First Class Melissa Garcia. “The CTI RTM will provide language analysts with updated information and will help future Sailors with advancement in rate training as well.”
 
All updates and modernization of RTMs support the chief of naval operations’ focus on warfighting, the warfighter and the future Navy.
 
The Center for Information Warfare Training delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.
 
For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training organization, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ciwt/, http://www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT  or http://www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.