Twenty-four cryptologic technicians (maintenance), or CTMs, completed a CTM personnel qualification standards (PQS) review at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) San Diego, March 9.

Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance), J. Christopher Brown and Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) Jason Patterson, both from Navy Information Forces, participated and helped guide the process in coordination with Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) Neil Watson from the Center for Information Warfare Training.

"The PQS review gives us a baseline of our job," said Brown. "It covers what we should know across all platforms."

All platform types were represented by the 24 CTMs in this latest push to ensure qualification standards reflect the current realities CTMs face in day-to-day operations. They represented commands in Japan, Hawaii, Connecticut, Virginia, Florida, Washington, and San Diego

"The PQS is intended for first class petty officers and below who work on systems," said Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 3rd Class Adam Juarez, a participant in the review. "It gives a voice to junior Sailors and will make a big difference for anyone who wants to get qualified."

Watson was quick to mention several additional benefits of this year's PQS review.

"The PQS was generic before," Watson said. "We're bringing in Sailors to validate information and to strengthen relationships between Sailors and TYCOM resources. This PQS will also help fill gaps left by shortened training pipelines."

The review is required every three years, and the updated CTM PQS is slated to be published in May.

IWTC San Diego, as part of the Center for Information Warfare Training, provides a continuum of training to Navy and joint service personnel that prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

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