PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Center for Information Dominance Unit Corry Station (CIDUCS) graduated 12 students from the Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) Dec. 19.
"JCAC is designed to take individuals who have minimal computer experience and make them proficient in cyber-analysis within six months," said CIDUCS Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Eddy Mejias. "Divided into 10 modules, the course covers 25 topics ranging from computer fundamentals to programming to forensics methodology and malware analysis."
The class make-up included students who sought-out the cryptologic technician rating via many different career paths. The cohort included new accession Sailors direct from recruit training, Sailors that served in the fleet in other ratings and then converted to the cryptologic technician networks (CTN) rating, and service members completing the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) program.
The PACT program provides apprentice-level formal training and on-the-job training leading to a viable career field for Sailors within two years of reporting to their first permanent duty station. Seaman Steven Seaton from JCAC's December graduating class was a PACT participant, and found that the apprenticeship track worked well for him.
"I don't believe that I would have passed this course without going through the PACT program first," said Seaton. "I wouldn't have had the discipline, drive, or skill set to study and graduate from such a difficult course. I was a deck seaman for two years, which taught me the value of working hard and a lot of leadership skills, which I then translated into studying."
According to Mejias, success in tough Navy schools like JCAC is not only about what to study, but developing effective habits on how to study.
"The CTN rating is growing and currently has an excellent promotion rate," Mejias added. "We obtain candidates for this challenging training from many sources, but one common denominator is that the Sailor is ultimately responsible for turning studying into success. While in JCAC, instructor assistance and mentoring are some of the training tools also available to students to improve the quality of their study, which inevitably helps them succeed."
No matter which path was taken to arrive at the JCAC, rating conversion Sailor, new accession Sailor, or a PACT Sailor, all graduating Sailors shared the same sentiment for future Sailors attending the course: "Study, study, and then study some more. It is the key to succeeding in this course," Seaton said.
CID Unit Corry Station delivers Navy and joint forces training in information operations, information warfare, information technology and cryptology, providing training for approximately 8,000 service members each year. With a staff of 300 military and civilian instructors, CID Unit Corry Station oversees the development and administration of 35 courses of instruction.
For more information on CID and unit Corry Station, visit their Web pages at: https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceninfodom.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.