As the sun set on the Presidio of Monterey on Nov. 8, 2019, the sound of evening colors echoed through the trees, into barracks rooms, over the language schools, and out to sea, just as it did every night. But this evening was different. After almost 50 years as the center of gravity for the U.S. Navy at the Presidio of Monterey, building 629A was empty.

As part of the Presidio of Monterey’s continuous structural maintenance and updating effort, the building, which has long been the Navy’s home at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) was slated to be demolished, a decision which is currently in flux. In the meantime, newly constructed building 625 now hosts Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Monterey’s senior leadership, administrative staff, and Navy Military Training program spaces.

“It certainly was bittersweet,” said Capt. Michael Salehi, commanding officer of IWTC Monterey and DLI graduate. “It was hard leaving a space that had so much heritage and had been the cradle of so many great cryptologic linguists, to include Senior Chief Kent. It felt Navy in all respects.”

All of the photos, books, bells, and heritage pieces have been moved as well. The Chiefs Mess now occupies the room in building 652 formerly known as the “Gundeck.” Division leadership offices have been moved to the ground floor of building 651, one of the barracks “ships” that make up the Kent Navy Yard. The change brings division leading petty officers (LPO) and leading chiefs closer to the Sailors in their charge.

“Building 629A was great because it had everyone in one place,” said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Demian Ford, N34 division leading chief petty officer. “But being closer to the students, where they live, has made a big difference. They are much more likely to come engage with the LPOs and the chiefs than they were before.”

Leaving building 629A has a special significance for all Navy linguists, from cryptologic technicians (interpretive) (CTIs) to the foreign area officer and special warfare communities. Nearly every Navy linguist has memories associated with 629A, not all pleasant.

“Building 629A was where I was sent to my first disciplinary review board,” said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Michael Haggerty. “Following my subsequent Captain’s Mast, I was confined for 10 days in the office that would later become the N32 division chief’s office. I don’t know what happened to those coffin lockers, but that was a good introduction to shipboard life.”

“My roommate and I were going to start Korean class, so we decided to try Beondegi, a fragrant Korean delicacy, in our barracks room in 629A which happened to be directly over the stage right outside,” recalled Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) David Jennings. “As soon as we opened the can, the smell overwhelmed us and I threw it out the window. I ended up having to clean the mess off of the stage before the promotion ceremony the next morning.”

Many alumni eventually made their way back as staff later in their careers. Some more than once. With operational tours under their belts and without the pressure of learning a new language, returning staff members viewed 629A very differently than they did as students.

“As a student, I tended not to linger in 629A,” shared Salehi. “I said my ‘hellos,’ did my business, and immediately turned to. Upon return, I really got to take in the incredible amount of heritage and all the fantastic memorabilia that lined the p-way. It was definitely a sight to
see, and I was immensely proud of my naval heritage and my cryptologic roots. It was truly nostalgic and I could not have been more proud to come back and lead this great command, both the mission and the people.”

Many would agree that building 629A is not complete without the “grinder,” stage, and gazebo. Morning quarters, award ceremonies, and promotions were all held on the grinder and stage behind the building while the gazebo served as the primary social gathering point for barracks-dwellers. The gazebo, which had been built entirely by Sailors in the mid-1980s, was finally torn down in November 2017. Three years later, the grass has not grown back.

In 1972, Naval Security Group Det. Monterey was established, formalizing the Navy’s presence at the Presidio of Monterey. The various iterations of the Navy command at the DLI have gone through seven name changes since then.

During its time as the Navy’s home at the DLI, it is estimated that around 26,000 Sailors worked or lived in building 629A. While the command has relocated to a new building, the fond memories, history, and naval heritage will always remain close to the hearts of those that have worked and even lived in the cradle of where great Navy linguists are born.

IWTC Monterey, as part of the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT), provides a continuum of foreign language training to Navy personnel, which prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

With four schoolhouse commands, two detachments, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT is recognized as Naval Education and Training Command’s top learning center for the past three years. Training over 20,000 students every year, CIWT delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.

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