Leaders, staff and victim advocates from the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) Det. Fort Gordon kicked off the 2019 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) with an installation-wide ceremony in conjunction with the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps at the Signal Tower Memorial Grounds onboard Fort Gordon, March 29.

CIWT Det. Fort Gordon also held an internal ceremony with the reading of the SAAPM proclamation and the tying of teal ribbons at the entrance of the detachment building, April 1.

"Today kicks off the awareness campaign to assist with eliminating sexual assault and sexual harassment from our ranks," said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Kruppa, CIWT Det. Fort Gordon’s officer in charge, during his address at the internal ceremony Monday. "While April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the enduring effort must continue year-round and requires each of us as leaders, Sailors and shipmates to ensure we do our part to eliminate this detriment to our mission."

SAAPM is recognized in April by both civilian and military communities. The Department of Defense observes SAAPM by focusing on creating the appropriate culture to eliminate sexual assault and requiring a personal commitment from all service members at every level. Each year, the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Team designates a theme to represent the campaign. The 2019 campaign theme is "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission."

As a training location for CIWT, CIWT Det. Fort Gordon delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations. CIWT Det. Fort Gordon specializes in training to fleet Sailors in the areas of satellite communications operation and maintenance, maritime cryptologic systems operation and maintenance, and language training graduating approximately 225 students in 30 courses of instruction annually.

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 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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