By M. Dawn Scott, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Moreno
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 1998 Whiting High School graduate and Whiting, Indiana, native is stationed with a command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.
Lt. Nick Leyba works as a Navy cryptologic warfare officer and operates out of the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station.
A Navy cryptologic warfare officers are the Navy's information warriors with expertise in all facets of information operations. They create warfighting options for fleet commanders to fight and win in the information age. They deliver and operate reliable, secure and battle-ready global networks, and lead in the development and integration of information operations capabilities in the fleet.
Leyba credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Whiting.
“I've had a lot of great teachers and coaches who stressed work ethic," said Leyba. "You get out what you put in.”
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."
Leyba has military ties with family members who have previously served, and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My aunt and uncle were in the Navy and they were my biggest influencers," said Leyba. "I wanted to do something different in my life and I am.”
While there are many ways to earn distinction in the Navy, Leyba is proud of his last two Navy Commendation Medals and Joint Service Commendation.
“My sailors completed the mission under my leadership and their dedication lead to this accomplishment,” said Leyba.
“My sailors completed the mission under my leadership and their dedication lead to this accomplishment,” said Leyba.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Leyba 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 our Navy brotherhood and sisterhood comes together for one goal and work with allies to be a part of something greater,” Leyba added.