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PENSACOLA, Fla. – The cryptologic technician (collection) (CTR)
student cohort in the first revised Basic Manual Morse Trainer
(BMMT) course wrapped up, Jan. 28, 2016 at the Center for
Information Dominance (CID) Unit Corry Station.
The update
included the latest Manual Morse software used by the Department of
Defense and was tested out in a nine-week pilot course that
concluded in September. The self-paced course provides basic
instruction and practical application in the interception of
Morse-type communications.
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November 3, 2015 - Students learn Morse code while attending the first revised Basic Manual Morse Trainer (BMMT) course at the Center for Information Dominance (CID) Unit Corry Station. Morse code is just one tool that cryptologic technician (collection) Sailors use as members of the Navy's Information Warfare community to perform collection, analysis and reporting on communication signals. (U.S. Navy photo by Information Systems Technician 1st Class Kristin Carter)
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"Morse code continues to be an inexpensive and efficient
means of communication for many states throughout the
globe,” said Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician
(Collection) (IDW/NAC/SW/AW) Tony Gonzales, CTR rate
training manager for CID headquarters. “Manual Morse
operators here at Corry Station are learning a skill set
that has stood the test of time. Many of our most senior
CTRs began their careers as Manual Morse operators.”
In the updated course, Sailors learn how to operate
radio-receiving and associated computer-based equipment.
From basic safeguards of security to communication
procedures and systems theory to operation of communications
equipment, the course teaches how to intercept Morse
communications, as well as copy and send Morse code.
“There is something special about learning a skill that
Sailors have been performing since World War II,” said
Gonzales. “The connection between the past, present and
future cryptologic technician (collection) is rarely seen in
our line of work as technologies are forever changing."
Morse is just one tool that CTRs use as members of the
Navy's Information Warfare community to perform collection,
analysis and reporting on communication signals.
"Morse code is not only used in military operations but also
in commercial navigation,” said Cryptologic Technician
(Collection) 1st Class (IDW/SW) Gabriel Albarran, the BMMT
course supervisor. “Search and rescue, science navigations
and weather status are frequently passed in automated Morse
code.”
Sailors can take the course immediately
following CTR "A" school or can be assigned as fleet
returnees to the course as part of their transfer. The
course is now offered to about 40 CTRs each year in the pay
grades of E-1 through E-5.
“It's a language,” said
Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Seaman Mary Kaitlin
McKeeby, who beat the course record set during the pilot by
two days, finishing the self-paced course in 39 days. “If
you have a knack for languages, (Morse code) is going to be
easier to pick up.”
She stressed the importance of
staying composed while learning Morse code and persisting
through the lessons even when making a mistake.
Graduates receive NEC 9169 as a Morse code intercept
operator and undergraduate college credit through the
American Council on Education. They may also be eligible for
selective re-enlistment bonuses in both zones A and B.
Morse code training has been taking place continuously
at Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station since 2005,
when the Navy moved the training back to Corry Station, in
favor of cost and time savings by relocating the course with
the cryptology “A” school. A long partnership with the Army
providing the training came to an end at that time.
The Center for Information Dominance (CID) based at Corry
Station in Pensacola, Florida, is the Navy's learning center
that leads, manages and delivers Navy and joint forces
training in information operations, information warfare,
information technology, cryptology and intelligence.
With nearly 1,300 military, civilian and contracted staff
members, CID provides training for approximately 22,000
members of the U.S. armed services and allied forces each
year. CID oversees the development and administration of
more than 200 courses at four commands, two detachments and
12 learning sites throughout the United States and Japan.
By U.S. Navy Carla McCarthy, Center for Information Dominance
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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