PENSACOLA, Fla. - Those serving at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station learn the importance of information warfare as part of modern warfare.
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| Photo by Ensign Tiffany Savoie, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
One of the sailors continuing the tradition of maritime superiority through information warfare is Chief Petty Officer Robert Morris, a native of Lexington, Kentucky.
Morris is a 2008 graduate of Lafayette Senior High School and a 2023 graduate of American Military University with a bachelor's degree in intelligence operations with a concentration in collection.
Morris joined the Navy 16 years ago. Today, Morris serves as a cryptologic technician (collection) and instructor at IWTC Corry Station.
“I joined the Navy to get life experiences and spend some time away from my hometown,” Morris said. "I didn't think I'd do well in college at the time, but I still wanted to find value in the work I was doing."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lexington.
“One thing I think about when considering my hometown is that people can do anything they want if they put their mind to it,” Morris said. "A lot of my friends went in different directions after high school. Some are living great lives, and others are not. I had a good upbringing, but reflecting on life as a kid, I could have easily gone down a very different path. It's never too early to know what you want out of life."
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.
Morris serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
Morris has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is knowing that my wife, Jacyln, and my two sons, Carter and Nolan, are proud of me,” Morris said. "They see the work I put in every day and my approach towards my job. It's positive and sets an example for my kids. They want to be chiefs one day because I include them in everything I can. I am also proud of winning Sailor of the Year here at IWTC in 2023 after dealing with adversity the year prior. One tour doesn't define a career. I can share my experiences with other people by helping other sailors get special recognition and awards, and paying it forward.”
Morris can take pride in serving America through military service.
“To me, serving in the Navy gives me a sense of value,” Morris said. "I know that my decision doesn't just affect me. At Corry Station, we deal with students, so it's important to present yourself as a leader because students are looking up to you. We set the tone for their first impression of the Navy after basic training."
Morris is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I 'd like to give a shout out to my mother, Becky Starr,” Morris said. "She didn't always have support and had to make a lot of sacrifices growing up. I know she put a lot into being the best mom she could and always tried making my childhood as fun as possible. I always felt like I could talk to her about the good and the bad. That's something I've wanted to try and pass on to my kids."