USNA Service Assignment Spotlight: Information Warfare Community (IWC)

The most technologically advanced navy in the world relies on the most accurate, timely, and secure information, overseen by top-flight information officers. Every year, the USNA proudly sends many of its graduates into this field to supply critical data and support to its global network. This is the story of the men and women who comprise the Navy’s Information Warfare Community (IWC), tasked with this mission.

What Is the IWC?

A relatively new group, the IWC was started in 2009 to bring the Navy’s information-based capabilities together under one group. Their Communications, Networks, Intelligence, Oceanography, Meteorology, Cryptology, Electronic Warfare, Cyberspace Operations, and Space capabilities were integrated to “degrade, deny, deceive or destroy an enemy's information environment or to enhance the effectiveness of friendly operations.”

The tools and skill sets wielded both now and throughout the U.S. Navy’s history have been cutting-edge, and the Navy has long relied on its superior information warfare capabilities to beat its adversaries and protect its interests through secure communication among officers, sailors, and civilians.

The Information Warfare Community Mission

There are three pillars upon which the IWC exists:

Provides three core capabilities of Assured Command and Control, Battlespace Awareness, and Integrated Fires, which are central for All Domain Access and the EMW concept.

Masters the tradecraft for planning, integrating, and executing information-related capabilities and operations to produce joint effects within all domains.

Is comprised of the Navy’s subject matter experts on space, cyberspace operations, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

More specifically, the IWC’s mission is “to defeat any enemy by using Assured Command and Control, Battlespace Awareness, and Integrated Fires to achieve Freedom of Maneuver across all warfighting domains.” The group achieves these goals by gaining a deep understanding of how adversaries think and operate, by developing the ever-changing battlespace, and by getting timely, accurate information to our naval forces.

Information Warfare Community Officer Types

The IWC is comprised of the following roles:

METOC/Oceanography Officer: Collect, process, and exploit oceanographic, meteorological, hydrographic, precise time, and astrometric information to enable Naval and Joint Force Commanders to operate safely and make better decisions faster than their adversaries.

Cryptologic Warfare Officer: Provide expertise in cryptology, space, signals intelligence, cyberspace operations, and electronic warfare to insure freedom of action while achieving military objectives in and through the electromagnetic spectrum, cyberspace, and space.

Information Professional Officer: Operate, defend, integrate, plan, maintain, and acquire networks, communications, and combat systems integral to mission assurance in all warfare areas and across all domains.

Intelligence Officer: Conduct full-spectrum intelligence operations to develop a deep understanding of adversary capabilities, intentions, and activities in time and space; provide timely, relevant, and predictive all-source assessments to create warfighting options at the tactical, operational, and strategic level.

Cyber Warfare Engineer: Apply principles and techniques of cyber operations, computer science, and computer engineering to research, design, develop, test, and evaluate software and firmware for cyberspace defense, cyberspace exploitation, and cyberspace attack.

How to Become Part of the IWC

As you might imagine, this field is highly coveted — and highly competitive. You can follow the training programs for each of the five officer tracks here, since they are all different.

Where IWC Officers Are Made

At the USNA, we are proud to support our midshipmen as they prepare to become IWC officers. You can help support them too. The Naval Academy Business Services Division (NABSD) provides proceeds from 20 business units to help our midshipmen become successful, well-rounded future leaders. We support a variety of extracurricular activities such as cultural arts, theater, music, club sports, and other activities designed to forge teamwork and camaraderie. When you visit and explore the Yard through USNA tours, dining, and shopping, you’re giving back to the midshipmen who give their all for this country. NABSD and the IWC thank you for your support.

On The Yard