CHIPS Articles: New Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist Instruction Released

The EIDWS warfare designation program was implemented in 2010 to qualify Information Dominance Corps (IDC) personnel in the aerographer's mate (AG), cryptologic technician (CT), intelligence specialist (IS) and information systems technician (IT) ratings. Attainment of EIDWS designation signifies that an eligible Sailor has achieved a level of excellence and proficiency in Information Dominance (ID). Additionally, the EIDWS insignia means the Sailor is competent in his or her rating and has acquired additional general knowledge to enhance his or her understanding of the role of the (IDC) as it pertains to warfighting, mission effectiveness, and command survivability. Sailors can earn EIDWS qualification only through a formal qualification program.

"This has been a long work in progress over the past year," said NAVIDFOR Force Master Chief Toby Ruiz, who led the effort to update the instruction. "But through close coordination with the senior enlisted leaders across the Navy Information Dominance Community and other warfare communities, I believe we have it right, and it is the absolute update needed in continuing to develop our future enlisted Information Dominance warriors."

One of the most significant changes focuses on which commands are authorized to administer an approved EIDWS program. In 2013, nearly 150 commands were conducting their own EIDWS program.

Overseeing so many programs made it difficult to ensure the program was being implemented throughout the Navy in an equitable and consistence manner. Seeing opportunities to improve the program, NAVIDFOR substantially revised previous instruction COMNAVCYBERFORINST 1414.1B to align requirements and the number of commands authorized to run their own EIDWS program. In addition to all commands under Administrative Control (ADCON) to NAVIDFOR after Oct 1, 2014, the following commands are authorized to manage an EIDWS program:

- Fleet Cyber Command (FCC)
- Naval Strike and Air Warfare Command (NSAWC)
- Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)
- Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM)
- Navy Information Dominance Corps Reserve Command (IDCRC)
- Numbered Fleet Maritime Operations Centers (MOC)
- Unified Combatant Command (COCOM) Joint Intelligence Operations Centers (JIOC)
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Defense Information System Agency (DISA)
- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
- Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG)
- Special Reconnaissance TEAM 1 and TEAM 2 (SPECRECON TEAM 1/ 2)
- Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command (NEIC)
- Center for Information Dominance Units; Corry Station, Monterey, Hampton Roads and San Diego
- Ships of CVN, LHD, LCC, LPD or LHA designation
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units 1 and 2

All other commands not listed which currently have an approved EIDWS program will be authorized to qualify Sailors until 12 months from the date of the new instruction. NAVIDFOR will continue to act as the executive agent for the EIDWS program and will conduct annual reviews of all current EIDWS programs to ensure information remains relevant and applicable.

The instruction makes EIDWS qualification mandatory for all enlisted IDC-rated Sailors (AG, IS, CT, and IT) assigned to a command with a certified program. Non-IDC rated Sailors are also authorized to voluntarily enroll if assigned to commands having a certified program. Enlisted IDC Sailors assigned to commands that do not have an authorized EIDWS program will pursue and qualify in whatever primary qualification is offered to them at their assigned command.

The instruction requires all IDC Sailors to qualify EIDWS as their primary warfare qualification prior to participating in any other available warfare programs (with the exception of ITs onboard submarines, where the decision rests with the commanding officer and command master chief (CMC)).

There are also new rules for Sailors who are permanently stationed at non-IDW commands but are serving on Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) greater than or equal to 180 cumulative days onboard a command with an authorized EIDWS program. In order to enroll in that platform's warfare program, the Sailor must have their parent command's CMC approval and submit a waiver to the IDFOR force master chief via the assigned platform CMC.

Other changes give IDC Sailors who are currently using "reasonable access" to a command with an established EIDWS program, 12 months from the date of the new instruction to qualify as an EIDWS Specialist. That means Sailors enrolled under "reasonable access" must be finished by May 31, 2016 in order to achieve the qualification.

"Updates in the instruction will improve the development of enlisted Information Dominance warriors and address the strain placed on commands that were taking Sailors onboard from other commands who requested enrollment via the reasonable access policy," said Ruiz.

The new updates do not change qualification and requalification timelines or failure to qualify/ re-qualify or other special evaluation requirements. However, the new update does require that all authorized commands have their program reviewed and certified by the NAVIDFOR EIDWS program coordinator.

For more information about changes to the EIDWS program contact your command master chief or download COMNAVIDFORINST 1414.1 instruction from the NAVIDFOR portal at: https://usff.portal.navy.mil/sites/NAVIDFOR/admin/Instructions/Forms/AllItems.aspx