PENSACOLA, Fla. — A Canovanas, Puerto Rico native is stationed at a Navy training command to learn how to be an information warfare professional who is armed with the skills necessary to protect and defend America around the world.

Over the past nine weeks, Seaman Jonathan Ortiz Arroyo has been stationed onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida, at the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station for Information Systems Technician (IT) “A” School.

An IT is responsible operating and maintaining Navy global satellite telecommunications systems, servings as admins on mainframe computers and local and wide area networks, implementing micro-computer systems throughout the fleet and ensuring the viability of essential communications links.

Ortiz graduated from Eduardo Garcia Carrillo High School in 2012 before deciding to leave his hometown to join the Navy in September of 2020.

Ortiz is the first member of his main family to enlist in the military; his great-grandfather and grandfather being the only two others to have served. For Ortiz, this is a very important distinction for him.

“I feel like I’m creating a legacy for my family,” said Ortiz. “Or bringing one back since it’s been so long since someone in my family has joined. It’s as if I am going back into their footsteps in doing something honorable and I’m very proud of my choice.”

Now that Ortiz is in the military, he wants to learn and do everything that he possibly can. By doing this, he believes it will help him while he’s in the military and for once he’s transitioned back into the civilian world so he can help inform others so they are inspired to join.

“I picked IT because it was one of the best rates, in my opinion, that transfers into the civilian world and has good pay,” said Ortiz. “I’m looking forward to learning all that I can of the rate, as well as anything about other rates. I want to say I got all the knowledge that I could out of the Navy so I can convince others that the Navy is a great choice.”

Ortiz expects to become a better Sailor and better person throughout his time in the service. He wants to improve in all areas of his life.

“I expect that the Navy will make me a stronger and better man than I currently am,” said Ortiz. “Not just physically, but mentally as well. I want to learn and expand my knowledge, be the best I can and get better at speaking, writing and reading English since it’s not my first language. I’ve already learned a lot about life and general and I will learn more.”

IWTC Corry Station is one component that makes up the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) domain. IWTC Corry Station, as part of the CIWT, provides a continuum of training to Navy and joint service personnel that prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

With four schoolhouse commands, a detachment, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT trains over 25,000 students every year, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training domain, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/ciwt/, www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.