Navy Crypto Through ROTC

D

dirtyflaco

c/o 2029 Hopeful
Joined
Oct 25, 2023
Messages
95
Hello all.

I am planning on commissioning through ROTC and am trying to decide between Navy and Air Force. I am highly interested in Cyber/Cryptologic Warfare. I know that the AF is dominant in that territory, but I am more attracted to the lifestyle and goals of the Navy.

Is Naval Cryptologic Warfare going to be around for long? I have heard that Navy cyber/crypto has been cut in funding and is at risk of being completely removed from the Navy.

And if Navy Cyrpto is legit, is it even possible to commission as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer through ROTC, given that it is a restricted line?
 
You can't go restricted line out of NROTC. You first have to go through a warfighter community (aviation, sub, SWO, EOD/SEAL) from NROTC. After you have been qualified and completed a tour or 2, you would then try for a restricted line. This is basic wave top explanation of a deep ocean of facts. YMMV.

Other option is OCS after college and going for crypto. If you don't get crypto, then you wouldn't have to join.

I would guess it is a competitive to get either way.
 
Ihavenoidea said:
You can't go restricted line out of NROTC. You first have to go through a warfighter community (aviation, sub, SWO, EOD/SEAL) from NROTC. After you have been qualified and completed a tour or 2, you would then try for a restricted line. This is basic wave top explanation of a deep ocean of facts. YMMV.

Other option is OCS after college and going for crypto. If you don't get crypto, then you wouldn't have to join.

I would guess it is a competitive to get either way.
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Thanks for the response. I would be fine with going a few tours as an SWO and then trying for lateral transfer. :rockon:
 
dirtyflaco said:
Is Naval Cryptologic Warfare going to be around for long? I have heard that Navy cyber/crypto has been cut in funding and is at risk of being completely removed from the Navy.
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This is not true. Cryptologic warfare is here to stay.

Navy cyber has undergone some recent changes. Until recently (about six months ago), Navy cyber roles were split between the Information Professional and Cryptologic Warfare communities. Last fall the Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer community was established, and all cyber officer billets are now consolidated under one community.

This allows for the MCWO community to focus solely on cyberspace operations, while the CW and IP communities can focus on their respective core competencies (signals intelligence/electronic warfare and telecommunications/network operations).

Previously, cyber roles were a fun (and not necessarily career enhancing) detour for CWs or IPs, now it can be a major focus for MCWOs.

dirtyflaco said:
And if Navy Cyrpto is legit, is it even possible to commission as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer through ROTC, given that it is a restricted line?
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Yes. Quotas are more limited than the URL communities, but they exist.

The authoritative source for information on any officer community is the Officer Community Manager.

https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Caree...tive-OCM/Restricted-Line/Cryptologic-Warfare/

Though if you want to do cyber, you should be targeting MCWO and not CW. I am less certain about NROTC quotas for MCWO, but I'm sure by the time you're a 1/C there will be options. There are already quotas for USNA.

 
Cyber is in the name for CWE but think of it as more software/capability development and program management/acquisition than cyberspace operations.

CWE is to MCWO as Surface EDO and AEDO is to SWO and Aviator.

The Navy hasn't been great at making up clear and consistent names for some of these designators. I still don't know what "robotics warfare" is supposed to mean.
 
Very true. Just letting the OP know what's open to unrestricted line within NROTC given he/she asked about Cyber. No idea where his/her interests lie. It is an ever evolving field.
 
I’ve seen multiple midshipmen go crypto or CWE (or intel) out of my NROTC unit. There are a very limited number of slots every year, but it is possible
 
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