A St. Louis native is stationed with a command responsible for teaching and delivering trained information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.

Cmdr. Patricia “Renée” Wilson has proudly served her country for 29 years, and works as an information professional (IP) officer operating out of the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Corry Station, Florida.

A Navy IP is responsible for operating, maintaining, securing, planning and acquiring the naval network and the systems that support Navy operations and business processes. Their responsibilities also include mapping out the network platforms of the future; ensuring the effectiveness of the Navy technologies; helping to develop and deploy information systems, command and control, and space systems; and serving as a key part of the Information Dominance Corps in its mission to gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of adversaries and developing unmatched knowledge of the battlespace during wartime.

Wilson currently serves as CIWT’s information technology/information professional training (N76) program manager. She leads a team charged with creating and updating foundational and advanced skills training for more than 10,000 Sailors in the information systems technician rating.

“I take pride in ensuring that today’s Sailors are receiving the best training to become highly successful in their career and duties out in the fleet,” said Wilson. “The dedicated efforts of our N76 team members resulted in the American Council on Education recommending 58 semester college credit hours during their recent review of 11 CIWT courses, ultimately supporting Sailors’ continuing education.”

Wilson’s command has been recognized as the Navy’s top learning center for the past two years, and charged with developing the future technical cadre of the information warfare community.

With 1,200 military, civilian and contracted staff members, CIWT oversees about 200 courses at four information warfare training commands, two detachments, and additional learning sites located throughout the United States and Japan. The CIWT domain leads, manages, and delivers Navy and joint force training to 22,000 students annually.

CIWT is responsible for training enlisted cryptologic technicians, information systems technicians, intelligence specialists and electronics technicians. CIWT also provides training to cryptologic warfare, information professional, intelligence and foreign area officers that prepares them to be ready to wage battle, and assure the nation’s success in this burgeoning warfare arena.

"The CIWT team is successful because each of our domain members, like Cmdr. Wilson, is committed to our job of preparing Sailors to fight and win in the arena of information warfare," said Capt. Nick Andrews, CIWT’s commanding officer. "I'm extremely proud of how her hard work and professionalism prepares our Sailors so they are ready for the Navy the nation needs."

Wilson also has military ties with family members who have previously served, and is honored to carry on the family tradition. Her father served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and her husband of 37 years served in the Navy for 24 years during campaigns including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Five of her siblings also served in the military, and two of her sons are currently on active duty in the Air Force.

Originally an enlisted Sailor, Wilson earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Leo University, and received her commission in 2002 through the Naval Direct Commissioned Officer Program. She commissioned as an aerospace engineering duty officer, and then changed career fields to information professional officer. She has supported numerous campaigns, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Global War on Terrorism, which included a highly successful combat deployment to Iraq, where she managed around-the-clock maintenance of four HH-60H Seahawk helicopters.

Prior to reporting to CIWT, Wilson spent her off-duty hours mentoring Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets at Cleveland High School in St. Louis.

“My naval service means that I am in a position to serve as a valuable role model for younger generations to emulate,” added Wilson. “I grew up in the inner city, graduating from Beaumont High School, and I’ve faced numerous challenges in my life, but I am proof that your circumstances in life do not have to define your destiny.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wilson and other Sailors and staff know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, serving as a key part of the information warfare community in its mission to gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of adversaries and developing unmatched knowledge of the battlespace during wartime.

These Sailors and staff have a tremendous responsibility in creating warfighting options for fleet commanders and advising decision-makers at all levels as they serve worldwide aboard ships, submarines and aircraft, and from the National Security Agency to the Pentagon.

"Our CIWT Sailors truly are the best of the best, and Cmdr. Wilson is a superb example of the outstanding Sailors serving in today's Navy," said CIWT’s Command Master Chief Mike Bates. “Her dedicated efforts are why CIWT is recognized as the best learning center in the Navy and are indicative of today's Navy team of world-class enlisted leaders molding fleet-ready Sailors for the Navy the nation needs."

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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