PENSACOLA, Fla. - Those serving at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station learn the importance of information warfare as part of modern warfare.
 |
| Photo by Ensign Tiffany Savoie |
One of the sailors continuing the tradition of maritime superiority through information warfare is Petty Officer 3rd Class Aron Reyes, a native of El Centro, California.
Reyes is a 2005 graduate of Southwest High School and a 2008 graduate of the Emergency Medical Technician program at Imperial Valley College in Imperial, California.
Reyes joined the Navy three and a half years ago. Today, Reyes serves as a cryptologic technician (technical) and student at IWTC Corry Station.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country inspired by the legacy of my grandfather, who served in the Army as a pilot and fought in WWII,” Reyes said. "His courage and dedication instilled in me a deep sense of duty and pride."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in El Centro.
“I come from a small town, and the environment gave me the drive to want more for myself and to pursue a form of greatness I could be proud of,” Reyes said. "In high school, I played football, which taught me teamwork, discipline and perseverance."
IWTC Corry Station is located at Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Corry Station, known as the “cradle of cryptology.” It falls under the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT), one of the largest Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) learning centers. Through its “street to fleet” focus, NETC recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the Navy’s current and future needs. With four schoolhouse commands, two detachments and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT provides instruction for more than 26,000 students every year, delivering information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services.
The CIWT domain, along with all other Navy training commands, is transforming and innovating its training programs through Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL), a pillar of Sailor 2025. Sailor 2025 is a program used to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward and retain the force of tomorrow. It focuses on empowering sailors, updating policies, procedures, and operating systems, and providing the right training at the right time in the right way to ensure sailors are ready for the fleet.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Reyes serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
Reyes has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment was returning from a combat deployment alongside my shipmates and knowing that we had prevailed in our duties and accomplished our objectives,” said Reyes, who was selected as USS Mason's 2023 Blue Jacket of the Year, an award given to the best sailor of the command ranked E-4 and below. "The experience forged a bond among us and gave us a sense of pride."
Reyes can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is an honor and profound commitment to my country,” Reyes said. "I take pride in knowing that I'm making a difference and contributing to the mission of protecting the United States."
Reyes is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I will always be grateful to my mother, Maria Holenbeck, and Uncle Tony, for instilling in me the values that continue to shape me into who I am today,” Reyes added. "I also owe thanks to my uncle, retired Fire Captain Apalategui, whose dedication to helping others inspired me.”