By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 2007 Pine Forest High School graduate and Pensacola, Florida, native is stationed with a command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jared Heathcote works as an aviation ordnanceman and operates out of the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station.
An aviation ordnanceman is responsible for the maintenance, inventory and loading of ordnance onto aircraft.
Heathcote credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Pensacola.
“I learned a lot about diversity,” Heathcote said. “Pensacola is a melting pot. It's the city of five flags for a reason.”
IWTC Corry Station is just one component that makes up the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) domain, headquartered at Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station, Florida.
Charged with developing the future technical cadre of the information warfare community, the CIWT domain leads, manages, and delivers Navy and joint force training to 22,000 students annually. With 1,200 military, civilian and contracted staff members, CIWT oversees about 200 courses at four information warfare training commands, two detachments, and additional learning sites located throughout the United States and Japan.
CIWT is responsible for training enlisted cryptologic technicians, information systems technicians, intelligence specialists, and electronics technicians. CIWT also provides training to cryptologic warfare, information professional, intelligence, and foreign area officers that prepares them to be prepared to wage battle, and assure the nation’s success in this burgeoning warfare arena.
"Our sailors and staff are intentional about building trust, demonstrating teamwork, pursuing growth, and instilling grit which make our command thrive in training information warfare professionals for the Navy the nation needs," said Cmdr. Chad Smith, commanding officer of IWTC Corry Station. "Each and every day, I'm extremely proud of how our sailors and staff readily adapt to achieve and maintain the highest of standards. They truly represent the spirit and character of America, and they are why we are the strongest military force in the world."
Heathcote has military ties with family members who have previously served, and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was in the Navy and served in World War II,” Heathcote said. “My father and uncle both served in the Navy, and my sister and brother-in-law are both currently serving in the Navy.”
While there are many ways to earn distinction in the Navy, Heathcote is also proud of serving as a crew chief with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Heathcote and other sailors and staff know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, serving as a key part of the information warfare community in its mission to gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of adversaries and developing unmatched knowledge of the battlespace during wartime.
These sailors and staff have a tremendous responsibility in creating war-fighting options for fleet commanders and advising decision-makers at all levels as they serve worldwide aboard ships, submarines and aircraft and from the National Security Agency to the Pentagon.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride to serve my country,” Heathcote added.