FORT MEADE, Md. - Senior Chief Petty Officer Douglas Sykes, a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, protects America from cyber threats as a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.
Information technology advances at a staggering pace. Practically all major systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned vehicles are networked to some degree. This includes most combat, communications, engineering, and navigation systems. While connectivity provides the military with speed, agility, and precision, it also opens numerous attack opportunities for adept cyber adversaries.
Sykes attended Harrison Central High School and graduated in 2001. Today, Sykes uses skills and values similar to those learned in Gulfport.
“I have been fortunate to have a very close-knit family,” said Sykes. “My papa always instilled in me the core values of faith, country and family. Also, my granny and my father always taught me the importance of work ethic, to say what I mean and do as I say. I have kept all of their words to my core and have applied them to everything I do in the Navy.”
Today, Sykes plays a crucial role in defending against cyber threats in support of the command’s mission to collect, analyze and report on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted equipment, and video display terminals.
According to Navy officials, networks are under continuous threats of attack by a broad array of state actors, terrorist organizations, ‘hacktivist’ groups, organized crime, and individual hackers. Motivations include personal gain, information theft, discrediting the United States, sabotage, political gain, denial or degradation of the Navy’s access to cyberspace.
“As leaders and experts in Information Warfare, our sailors and civilians are at the forefront of disrupting the ability of bad actors to execute their plans, which often degrade U.S. interests,” said Vice Admiral Ross Myers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet. “Because of our workforce and their world class skills and dedication to service, today’s Navy has the agility, tactical skills, advanced technologies and innovative mindset to succeed. Alongside our sister services, Fleet Cyber Command is on the frontlines to thwart malicious efforts in cyberspace – we are engaged against adversaries, around the globe and around the clock – 24/7/365.”
That’s why the work being done by Sykes is so important.
Serving in the Navy means Sykes is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy plays a key role in multiple ways, from adversarial deterrence to protecting international waterways, all the way to cyber defense and intelligence gathering,” said Sykes.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
Sykes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“What I am most proud of has nothing to do with awards, but the fact that I have helped others change their perceptions and stay in the Navy as I did,” said Sykes.
“The decision to join the Navy was supposed to be only a five-year commitment,” said Sykes. “Little did I know that I had stronger voices leading my pathway. I had an amazing papa, a former Marine and an uncle, who was a Navy chief. My uncle has been my mentor throughout my career. I still remember the memory of my mawmaw's face lighting up with pride the day I graduated from bootcamp. Recognition does not matter to me, but the fact that I can carry on the values of my papa, mama and uncle. My success is because of them, my sailors and family."
As Sykes and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Not only do I get to serve my country, I also get to continue a legacy of service to my nation,” said Sykes. “I’ve been able to serve as a submariner, a network analyst, a vice-presidential communication officer and as a senior chief making positive leadership changes at the deck-plate level.”
“I was meant to be here,” said Sykes. “Interesting enough, my uncle was promoted to chief the year I was born. From my first memory, he’s always been ‘uncle chief.’ We compared paths and they lined up. I am blessed to have him as my mentor.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amber A. Weingart |
Information technology advances at a staggering pace. Practically all major systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned vehicles are networked to some degree. This includes most combat, communications, engineering, and navigation systems. While connectivity provides the military with speed, agility, and precision, it also opens numerous attack opportunities for adept cyber adversaries.
Sykes attended Harrison Central High School and graduated in 2001. Today, Sykes uses skills and values similar to those learned in Gulfport.
“I have been fortunate to have a very close-knit family,” said Sykes. “My papa always instilled in me the core values of faith, country and family. Also, my granny and my father always taught me the importance of work ethic, to say what I mean and do as I say. I have kept all of their words to my core and have applied them to everything I do in the Navy.”
Today, Sykes plays a crucial role in defending against cyber threats in support of the command’s mission to collect, analyze and report on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted equipment, and video display terminals.
According to Navy officials, networks are under continuous threats of attack by a broad array of state actors, terrorist organizations, ‘hacktivist’ groups, organized crime, and individual hackers. Motivations include personal gain, information theft, discrediting the United States, sabotage, political gain, denial or degradation of the Navy’s access to cyberspace.
“As leaders and experts in Information Warfare, our sailors and civilians are at the forefront of disrupting the ability of bad actors to execute their plans, which often degrade U.S. interests,” said Vice Admiral Ross Myers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet. “Because of our workforce and their world class skills and dedication to service, today’s Navy has the agility, tactical skills, advanced technologies and innovative mindset to succeed. Alongside our sister services, Fleet Cyber Command is on the frontlines to thwart malicious efforts in cyberspace – we are engaged against adversaries, around the globe and around the clock – 24/7/365.”
That’s why the work being done by Sykes is so important.
Serving in the Navy means Sykes is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy plays a key role in multiple ways, from adversarial deterrence to protecting international waterways, all the way to cyber defense and intelligence gathering,” said Sykes.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
Sykes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“What I am most proud of has nothing to do with awards, but the fact that I have helped others change their perceptions and stay in the Navy as I did,” said Sykes.
“The decision to join the Navy was supposed to be only a five-year commitment,” said Sykes. “Little did I know that I had stronger voices leading my pathway. I had an amazing papa, a former Marine and an uncle, who was a Navy chief. My uncle has been my mentor throughout my career. I still remember the memory of my mawmaw's face lighting up with pride the day I graduated from bootcamp. Recognition does not matter to me, but the fact that I can carry on the values of my papa, mama and uncle. My success is because of them, my sailors and family."
As Sykes and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Not only do I get to serve my country, I also get to continue a legacy of service to my nation,” said Sykes. “I’ve been able to serve as a submariner, a network analyst, a vice-presidential communication officer and as a senior chief making positive leadership changes at the deck-plate level.”
“I was meant to be here,” said Sykes. “Interesting enough, my uncle was promoted to chief the year I was born. From my first memory, he’s always been ‘uncle chief.’ We compared paths and they lined up. I am blessed to have him as my mentor.”