Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Virginia Beach hosted the inaugural Hampton Roads Area Intelligence Symposium, welcoming intelligence specialists (IS) from commands in Hampton Roads, Oct. 23-25.

The symposium was designed to bring the local IS community together to discuss current initiatives, exchange best practices, and provide mentorship to Sailors. The junior detailer was available to meet with Sailors one on one to discuss future billets and opportunities. Multiple IS master chief petty officers provided speed mentoring and promotion package reviews to junior Sailors. The Sailor 2025 plan for the IS rating was explained, laying out the path for ready, relevant learning for ISs of tomorrow.

"What interested me the most from the symposium were all the discussions about the way ahead for the intel community,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Luthia Fernandez. “It excites me to see the positive changes that will take place within the next five years.”

Other topics discussed during the three-day symposium included:

- Selection board process
- Evaluation guidance
- Chief warrant officer way ahead
- Detailing and community management
- National Reconnaissance Office 
- Type commander initiative
- National Geospatial Agency

"The IS symposium is a fantastic venue to network and get to know area-wide intelligence professionals,” said Master Chief Intelligence Specialist Brandi Gutierrez with Naval Information Forces. “This session was very well received by junior Sailors and officers alike, and we will continue to provide mentorship and package review for all future symposiums.” 

The IS community begins with students attending a 12-week basic course, followed by a more advance course before moving onto the fleet. The IS enlisted rating analyzes intelligence data, from which they prepare detailed analysis to support operations around the globe. As of 2018, there are approximately 3000 enlisted intelligence specialists in the Navy.

“IWTC Virginia Beach is honored to host the Hampton Roads Area Intelligence Symposium,” said Cmdr. Andrew Boyden, commanding officer of IWTC Virginia Beach. “Naval intelligence has a storied history at Layton Hall, and being able to provide space for our ISs to discuss and plan for the future of our rating is important.

IWTC Virginia Beach currently offers 65 courses of instruction in information technology, cryptology, and intelligence with an instructor and support staff of 280 military, civilian, and contract members who train over 6,400 students every year at five training sites in the Hampton Roads area. It is one of four school houses for Center for Information Warfare Training and also oversees learning sites at Jacksonville and Mayport, Florida; Kings Bay, Georgia; and Groton, Connecticut to continue aligning IW community training. 

CIWT delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.
 

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