PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) recently completed a yearlong initiative of updating and modernizing the Information Systems Technician (IT) Non-Resident Training Course Series (NRTCs) (NAVEDTRA 15027A, 15031A, 15028A, 15032A, 15030A, and 15033).

The IT rating was under a life cycle update and this initiative streamlined and modernized the current look of the online series of modules. New industry standard software was used and interactive courseware and updated illustrations were introduced with revised training aids. 
CIWT collaborated with a team of contracted training specialists to develop and deliver a fresh look to the manuals to assist in the professional development of IT Sailors.
 
In addition to the life cycle updates to the IT NRTCs, Rate Training Manuals (RTMs), and Officer Training Manual (OTM), CIWT has added beneficial content to increase awareness and critical thinking; contributing to the whole Sailor concept. This effort produced two additional chapters of Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) along with a Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C41) overview.  These additional chapters were added during this initiative and will be implemented in all Information Warfare (IW) NRTCs, RTMs and OTMs during their life cycle updates.
 
“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/NRTC program analyst. “Our Information Warfare Enterprise of cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, and IW officers are consistently working to increase their level of professional knowledge, and we insist on doing our part to support their progress providing up-to-date and significantly germane information ready for the fleet to access.”
 
Used primarily to prepare for advancement exams or to expand life-cycle rating knowledge, NRTC and RTM self-study packages are essential in support of career progression and the professional development of all Sailors.
 
“It is refreshing to see a Navy training command make a concerted effort to improve archaic documentation and technology, while also focusing on improving warfighting readiness and self-sufficiency,” shared Master Chief Information System Technician Kevin Summers. “If the Navy continues as a whole to make a more concerted and focused effort on increasing warfighting readiness, self-sufficiency and funded training to the level needed, it would exponentially increase its lethality.” 
 
Updated NRTCs, RTMs and a first of its kind OTM, help Navy leadership to meet operational, readiness, policy, acquisition, and professional development requirements, while also assisting Sailors to learn at higher velocity.

“This most recent update of the NRTCs and RTMs, (OTM currently undergoing FY23 revision) truly modernized the content to an interactive training solution that will keep Sailors engaged.” said Patrick Miller CIWT’s assistant program manager for information technology training. “The knowledge that can be garnered from utilizing the updated content and information will ensure that IW personnel better understand the mission and positively contribute to its success,”
 
The enlisted and officer NRTCs, RTMs, and OTMs provide entry-level IW Enterprise officers with an excellent overview of the officer community as well as the enlisted ratings they will manage throughout their careers. They also give information that directly supports the baseline level of knowledge for IW Officer Warfare Qualification, IW Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) and Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist (EIWS) warfare qualifications.
 
To access the material and complete the electronic assessment of the IT NRTC for credit, Sailors need to visit their rating page on the CIWT portal or enroll in the course on Navy E Learning. All updates and modernization of NRTCs, RTMs, and OTMs support the chief of naval operations’ focus on warfighting, the warfighter and the future Navy.
 
With four schoolhouse commands, two detachments, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, Center for Information Warfare Training trains over 26,000 students every year, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. Center for Information Warfare Training also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.