Navy Information Operations Command Maryland (NIOC MD) provides Information Warfare Officers (IWO) with a stable environment conducive to developing and enhancing their careers -- and it is rapidly gaining the reputation as the center for excellence for Computer Network Operations (CNO).

Three major factors contribute to NIOC MD's elite standing:

• Mission responsibilities and capacity to train junior IWOs
• Potential for career development due to command realignment, proximity to national intelligence agencies and top-rated graduate schools
• Physical location in an area of economic growth, ultimately contributing to individual/family stability and quality of life

Mission responsibilities and capacity to train junior IWOs

The Secretary of the Navy originally established the command as Naval Security Group Activity Fort Meade on July 17, 1957. The command became the largest NSGA, with a complement of over 1,400 officer, enlisted and civilian personnel. Naval Security Group resubordinated under Naval Network Warfare Command on Sept. 30, 2005, as part of a Chief of Naval Operations-directed naval transformation strategy. NSGA Fort Meade was redesignated as NIOC Maryland and assigned parent-command responsibilities for Navy Information Operations Detachment Alice Springs, Australia.

These responsibilities include Signals Intelligence (SIGINT); Information Operations (IO); and cyberspace operations for naval air, surface, sub-surface, expeditionary and joint Department of Defense (DOD) forces. Additionally, the command performs Fleet Information Operations Center (FIOC) functions and supports National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) mission requirements. With a high level of expectancy that is demanded of an IWO, NIOC MD will be the Center of Excellence for ensuring top-level IWOs are properly trained to fulfill all fleet and national requirements expected of them.

Epicenter for career development

What elevates NIOC MD to the forefront as the epicenter of Computer Network Operations is its location. Located in the eye of a "Navy Heritage Triangle" (Washington DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis metropolitan areas), NIOC MD is a close neighbor to NSA/CSS, USCYBERCOM, as well as Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Navy Tenth Fleet.

The command's 52-year history has included several timely realignments that have transformed the unit to maximize its potential, delivering quality intelligence and operational support to both the war fighter and decision maker. The most recent realignment will occur with Naval Network Warfare Command Instruction 5450.34 the standup of Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Navy Tenth Fleet, which takes over operational control of NIOC MD.

As an asset of the new FLTCYBERCOM/ 10TH FLT, the command continues to provide and deploy trained IWOs and enlisted Cryptologic Technicians to support a wide range of missions. This strategic location and command realignment offers IWOs unparalleled job mobility to serve in four major commands within the area for technical growth and leadership development without the consequence of residential relocation or long commutes. As illustrated in the following flow diagram, there are a limited number of coveted milestone billets that an IWO should attain in order to be competitive for advancement.

A successful career path can start at NIOC MD, where the brand new IWO will undergo a robust, structured training plan to complete the IWO Personal Qualification Standard. Building on skills acquired at the Information Warfare Basic Course, new IWOs assigned to NIOC MD will progress through courses built in conjunction with the National Cryptologic School at NSA Washington that will develop manager level understanding of core IWO skill-sets to include Computer Network Operations, Information Operations and traditional Signals Intelligence. By providing all new IWOs with focused training on these key skill areas, first tour IWOs will acquire the knowledge to serve as effective CNO, IO, or SIGINT Officers throughout the NIOC MD and NSA/CSS organizations.

Upon completing this initial tour, the officer can then serve in Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Navy Tenth Fleet to be trained as a Lieutenant Junior Grade or Chief Warrant Officer with a heavy emphasis in Computer Network Operations. For the third tour, the IWO can be assigned to NSA/CSS, benefiting from Joint Command training in preparation to perform expanded responsibilities at the National/Strategic level. Senior and middle grade IWOs can then perform leadership roles within NIOC MD or FLTCYBERCOM as Department Heads, or become Branch/Division chiefs at NSA.

By the end of the eight to ten year in area assignment, the IWO will have accomplished at least three major IWO milestones, placing the officer on the competitive track for promotion to Lieutenant Commander/Commander. NIOC MD’s location also offers its members the opportunity to pursue higher education for continued professional development. According to the information Warfare Senior Detailer: "Advanced education degrees continue to be highly valued in the IW community With just over 1,000 officers and nearly 1,200 billets, the community must learn to do more with less."

There is a wide selection of universities (Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown, and the University System of Maryland to name a few) where IWOs can pursue graduate degrees in technical or foreign relations disciplines. NIOC MD can provide the catalyst by helping to develop and approve an Officer Training continuum model for the accession, professional military education, and continuing education for IW officers.

Region of economic growth and domestic stability

Maryland's public school system ranks first nationally in 2009 according to Quality Counts Education Week’s annual assessment. Both of these factors will contribute to greater family prosperity and stability while personnel serve in the region. In contrast to other theaters, IWOs in the NIOC MD area can serve multiple tours without the need to constantly relocate. Frequent change in duty stations and family relocation is not only costly to the Navy, but can be disruptive to family lifestyles.

An IWO can forgo the need to continuously change residences and enjoy a better quality of life, leading to improved individual morale and performance. This in turn can have a positive impact on improving overall command morale and unit performance as well.

Considering all of the advantages stemming from its ideal location, NIOC MD continues to enhance its ability to attract and develop a wide pool of personnel, talent, and expertise, and is well on its way to becoming the Center of Excellence for Computer Network Operations.