The holiday season has arrived at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), and there is a palpable air of excitement for the students and staff at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Monterey. 

For the students at IWTC Monterey, the holiday block leave period runs from Dec. 20 through Jan. 3. For students able to take leave, many chose to fly home to visit family and friends, and this time provides a much needed break from the rigorous language training at the DLI.

With their bags packed and thoughts about their upcoming holiday leave, many of the students enthusiastically departed on shuttles destined for surrounding airports. 

“I am excited to see my family in Georgia, spend time catching up and visiting relatives,” said Seaman William Henderson. “I come from a large family and I am looking forward to this time.” 

As for Seaman Sacha Sims, she shared that she is thrilled to decompress, and enjoying her holidays with loved ones. 

Seaman Jennifer Hallenback said, “It seems like I am living in a different world of sorts, and I am grateful to head home to North Carolina and be with my husband and family.” 

However, not everyone takes leave during this period, and for those students remaining on base over the holidays, they stay busy completing required daily tasks and routines. 

“We muster in the mornings, carry out whatever duties are required, and then we are released for the day,” stated Seaman Daniel Hochstettler.

During their off-duty time, they have the opportunity to explore Monterey, work out at the gym on base, relax and visit with fellow Sailors and service members. 

“The base is eerily quiet without all the students and staff,” said Seaman Jacob Zinnecker. “For me, the quiet is not so bad.”

This year, a select few students were afforded the opportunity to continue studies at their schoolhouse over the holiday break. If it goes well, it may become more widely available in the coming years. 

After Christmas, IWTC Monterey’s White Hats Association (WHA) hosted a holiday party Dec. 27 at the Weckerling Center. Students and staff, along with their families remaining in the area, enjoyed an array of delicious dishes and desserts prepared by the WHA. 

Festivities included an ugly Christmas sweater contest in which 13 worthy contestants participated. Ultimately, Yeoman 1st Class David Lee was declared the winner. Additionally, there was an array of outside activities like cornhole, soccer and football. To top things off, Sailors and their families faced off in a friendly karaoke contest. 

“The White Hats really outdid themselves this year,” remarked IWTC Monterey Commanding Officer Cmdr. Michael Salehi.

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 two years. Training over 21,000 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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