Navy Establishes Cyber Warfare Technician Rating

The Navy announced today the establishment of the Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT) rating via Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 147/23.

The Navy created the CWT rating to meet the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed Dec. 23, 2022, which directed the Navy to establish a cyber warfare rating for enlisted personnel separate from the cryptologic technician enlisted rating.

The CWT rating will initially absorb the Cryptologic Technician-Networks rating in its entirety, and all CTN billets and personnel have been changed to CWT effective June 28, 2023.

Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander of Naval Information Forces and the Navy’s Information Boss, explained how the Navy developed its plan to establish the CWT rating.

“We developed the CWT rating closely with our leaders in the CTN rating, thoroughly reviewing billet requirements of Sailors assigned to the Cyber Mission Force (CMF), while determining what was required to fulfill the requirements under the NDAA,” said Aeschbach. “Our analysis showed the CTN rating had long-standing, validated billets and Navy Enlisted Classification codes (NECs) already linked to critical cyber work roles across Fleet, CMF, and national requirements;- in fact, 93 percent of all work conducted by the CTN rating is primarily classified as cyber. This rating more accurately describes the predominance of cyber work our CTN Sailors are already performing.”

NAVIFOR Force Master Chief Laura Nunley emphasized no CTN Sailor’s career will be negatively impacted by the establishment of the CWT rating.

“During the process of establishing the CWT rating, we have been committed to a ‘do no harm’ approach to CTN Sailors,” noted Nunley. “No Sailor’s advancement opportunity or Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) will be affected by this rating establishment. All rating specific incentive pays currently entitled to CTN Sailors will be awarded to CWT Sailors.”