SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Hamlin, a native of Columbus, Ohio, joined the Navy to continue a family tradition.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“My father was in the Navy and my brother is currently in the Navy as well,” said Hamlin. “We have a long family history. Plus, I wanted to travel the world.”
Now, eight years later, Hamlin is stationed with a command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.
“It's exciting we get to have a direct impact on how sailors deal with things at their command," said Hamlin. "We prepare them for things they’ll deal with in the real world.”
Now, eight years later, Hamlin is stationed with a command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.
“It's exciting we get to have a direct impact on how sailors deal with things at their command," said Hamlin. "We prepare them for things they’ll deal with in the real world.”
Hamlin, a 2011 graduate of Franklin Heights High School, is an information systems technician operating from the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) in San Diego.
“I am an instructor here I teach second class to senior chief sailors in the network security vulnerability technician course," said Hamlin. "We teach about cybersecurity and the different tools and system used throughout the Navy to protect our networks.”
Hamlin credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Columbus.
“Growing up we had a melting pot of different cultures and personalities of people," said Hamlin. "That's carried over into the Navy where we meet and work with people from all over the world. That has helped me.”
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 Hamlin is most proud of getting promoted to first class petty officer.
“Hopefully, I'll have a lot higher rank in the future,” said Hamlin.
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, Hamlin 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 that I can provide for my family and give them the best life possible,” said Hamlin.