By M. Dawn Scott, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jiminez
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 2005 Sandlewood High School graduate and Jacksonville, 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 Tameka Cockerham works as an information systems technician and operates out of the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station.
An information system technician operates and maintains the navy’s global satellite telecommunications systems, mainframe computers, local and wide are networks, and micro-computer systems used in the fleet. They ensure the communications link between units at sea and stations ashore.
Cockerham is also an information systems technician instructor teaching basis computer skills and troubleshooting. As a command career counselor, she helps sailors stay in the Navy or transition out.
Cockerham credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Jacksonville.
“I learned patience, and understanding in knowing that everybody wasn't raised the same,” said Cockerham. “We are all different, and it helps if you communicate.”
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."
Cockerham has military ties with family members who have previously served, and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My mom and dad were both in the Navy,” said Cockerham. “My mom encouraged me in my choice to join the Navy if I didn’t choose college.”
While there are many ways to earn distinction in the navy, Cockerham is proud of being named Instructor of the Year for 2015, and she will also earn her college degree in the fall of 2018.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Cockerham 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 is an opportunity to be exposed to other cultures and lifechanging experiences,” Cockerham added. “It also is an example to my children of honorable service for the nation. My service also makes my parents proud.”