DVIDS – News – CTN Changes Rate Name to CWT

The Navy has a long history of changing job titles to reflect the changing nature of warfare and the evolving roles of its personnel. The change from Cryptologic Technician Networking (CTN) to Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT) is the latest example of this trend. Cyber Warfare is constantly altering and the Navy ensured the Cyber Warfare Technician job title accurately reflects the knowledge and skills of personnel who were previously known as Cryptologic Technician Networking.

“When you think of Cryptologic Technician Networks, it sounds like we’re another version of Information Systems Technicians so people come to us to fix passwords and printers. But when you think about Cyber Warfare Technician, to me that says we’re doing an entire different part of cyber and it better explains what we’re doing with our job”, said Chief Cyber Warfare Technician Thomas Mayo, Defensive Cyber space Operations Team Lead assigned to Amphibious Squadron 8.

The result of the rate name change has given military and non-military personnel a clear understanding of the work they participate in. The name CTN is not very instinctive for people who are not familiar with military terminology. The name CWT is more straightforward and easy to understand. A current and up-to-date job title can help with recruitment, attracting the right type of people.

“Our insignia is going to change the culture around our name. What we do is going to change because we no longer fall under the Cryptologic Technician category but our own category now of cyber warfare”, said Mayo. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see cyber become its own thing versus being under the information warfare.”

The Navy changed the name of the CTN rating to CWT because the job has changed. CTNs would be responsible for operating and maintaining computer networks. But now, they also do things like protect networks from cyberattacks, develop new cyberwarfare tools, and conduct offensive cyber operations.

“We’re trained specifically to monitor for advanced persistent threats and to be able to inform the…