Cryptologic Technician (Networks) 1st Class Alexander Williams, currently assigned to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) San Diego, was recently selected as the first enlisted member of the Information Warfare community to participate in the Secretary of the Navy Tours with Industry Program.

The program, established in 2015, is an annual initiative designed to familiarize Navy and Marine Corps personnel with the planning, innovation and management techniques found in leading organizations outside the Department of the Navy. Selected personnel are assigned to work full time for private sector companies and other agencies.

Williams, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, will go to work for Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee starting in September.

"I didn't know very much about the program when I first heard it from my officer in charge," said Williams. "The opportunity to work for a civilian organization for a year and then bring back what you learn sounded interesting to me."

After completing the tour with industry, participants are then assigned to a utilization tour, where the member will maximize the tools and knowledge gained with their sponsor organization.

In order to apply for a Navy tour with industry, a service member must have a minimum of five years of service on active duty or in the full-time support/active reserve category of the reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps. The program is open to all officers at pay grade O-3 and above, enlisted personnel pay grade E-6 above, and all warrant officers.

Williams said the application process was made easier with support from his chain of command but attention to detail was important. He had to submit a full package that included past evaluations, a personal statement and a command endorsement.

The final decision on who would be selected was made by commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, who received a number of applications from across the fleet.

Sailors interested in applying for a tour with industry should look out for a message from Naval Information Forces with specific solicitation details each year.

"I'm looking forward to the experience most of all," said Williams. "I think the exchange of knowledge is going to be beneficial to all parties. I get to be the bridge between the Navy and civilian world."

U.S. Fleet Cyber Command serves as the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber Command, and the Navy's Service Cryptologic Component commander under the National Security Agency/Central Security Service. Fleet Cyber Command also reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations as an Echelon II command.

U.S. 10th Fleet is the operational arm of Fleet Cyber Command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. In this role, C10F provides operational direction through its Maritime Operations Center located at Fort George Meade Md., executing command and control over assigned forces in support of Navy or joint missions in cyber/networks, information operations, electronic warfare, cryptologic/signals intelligence and space.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. 10th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/FCCC10F/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.