By M. Dawn Scott, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Moreno
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 1995 Schenectady High School graduate and Schenedtady, New York 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 Anthony Howard is a Navy aviation ordnanceman, but works as the drug and alcohol counselor and operates out of the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station.
A Navy drug and alcohol counselor is a liaison between the sailor and the commanding officer to help sailors with drug and alcohol problems and guide them to a substance abuse program.
Howard credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Schenedtady.
“I learned with everybody differently and recognize that people are individuals.,” said Howard.
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."
Although Howard does not have family members who previously served in the military, he is honored to carry on the wishes of his father.
“My dad was a massive influence," said Howa. "He wanted to join the Navy, but circumstances prevented him from enlisting, so I took it a step further and did.”
While there are many ways to earn distinction in the Navy, Howard is proud of his first letter of commendation presented from an admiral for detecting 3.5. million dollars in assets.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Howard 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 means reaching out to communities that know very little about their Navy and add to their knowledge,” said Howard.