SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Luke Schroth, a native of Appleton, Wisconsin, joined the Navy because he always wanted to serve his country and be a part of the military.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, nine years later, Schroth is stationed with a command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.
“In addition to teaching, I get to learn more about information systems and networking techniques," said Schroth. "I'm working on my Cisco Certified Network Associate certification and automated network system.”
“In addition to teaching, I get to learn more about information systems and networking techniques," said Schroth. "I'm working on my Cisco Certified Network Associate certification and automated network system.”
Schroth, a 2000 graduate of Appleton West High School, is an information systems technician operating from the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) in San Diego.
“As an instructor, I teach students about Navy information systems," said Schroth. "I teach server and network security fundamentals.”
Schroth credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Appleton.
“Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability," said Schroth. "Don't leave a project half done.”
IWTC San Diego 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.
There are many reasons to be proud of naval service, and Schroth is most proud of attaining the rank of petty officer first class.
“I made that rank in my first three years of service,” said Schroth.
America is a maritime nation, and the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Schroth 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.
“Serving in the Navy means I'm protecting my family and friends back home in Wisconsin, so they can live their lives to the fullest,” said Schroth.