[CW] News: Morse code: A staple in the Navy IW toolkit

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

News: Morse code: A staple in the Navy IW toolkit

Story by Carla McCarthy
<https://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1343272/carla-mccarthy>
[image: Navy cryptology students learn Morse code]
<https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2375031/navy-cryptology-students-learn-morse-code>
Courtesy
Photo

151103-N-XX082-003 PENSACOLA, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2015) Students learn Morse code
while attending the first revised Basic Manual Morse Trainer (BMMT) course
at the Center for Information Dominance (CID) Unit Corry Station. Morse
code is just one tool that cryptologic technician (collection) Sailors use
as members of the Navy’s Information Warfare community to perform
collection, analysis and reporting on communication signals. (U.S. Navy
photo by Information Systems Technician 1st Class Kristin Carter/Released)

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The cryptologic technician (collection) (CTR) student
cohort in the first revised Basic Manual Morse Trainer (BMMT) course
wrapped up, Jan. 28, at the Center for Information Dominance (CID) Unit
Corry Station.

The update included the latest Manual Morse software used by the Department
of Defense and was tested out in a nine-week pilot course that concluded in
September. The self-paced course provides basic instruction and practical
application in the interception of Morse-type communications.

"Morse code continues to be an inexpensive and efficient means of
communication for many states throughout the globe,” said Senior Chief
Cryptologic Technician (Collection) (IDW/NAC/SW/AW) Tony Gonzales, CTR rate
training manager for CID headquarters. “Manual Morse operators here at
Corry Station are learning a skill set that has stood the test of time.
Many of our most senior CTRs began their careers as Manual Morse operators.”

In the updated course, Sailors learn how to operate radio-receiving and
associated computer-based equipment. From basic safeguards of security to
communication procedures and systems theory to operation of communications
equipment, the course teaches how to intercept Morse communications, as
well as copy and send Morse code.

“There is something special about learning a skill that Sailors have been
performing since World War II,” said Gonzales. “The connection between the
past, present and future cryptologic technician (collection) is rarely seen
in our line of work as technologies are forever changing."

Morse is just one tool that CTRs use as members of the Navy’s Information
Warfare community to perform collection, analysis and reporting on
communication signals.

"Morse code is not only used in military operations but also in commercial
navigation,” said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class (IDW/SW)
Gabriel Albarran, the BMMT course supervisor. “Search and rescue, science
navigations and weather status are frequently passed in automated Morse
code.”

Sailors can take the course immediately following CTR "A" school or can be
assigned as fleet returnees to the course as part of their transfer. The
course is now offered to about 40 CTRs each year in the pay grades of E-1
through E-5.

“It’s a language,” said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Seaman Mary
Kaitlin McKeeby, who beat the course record set during the pilot by two
days, finishing the self-paced course in 39 days. “If you have a knack for
languages, (Morse code) is going to be easier to pick up.”

She stressed the importance of staying composed while learning Morse code
and persisting through the lessons even when making a mistake.

Graduates receive NEC 9169 as a Morse code intercept operator and
undergraduate college credit through the American Council on Education.
They may also be eligible for selective re-enlistment bonuses in both zones
A and B.

Morse code training has been taking place continuously at Naval Air Station
Pensacola Corry Station since 2005, when the Navy moved the training back
to Corry Station, in favor of cost and time savings by relocating the
course with the cryptology “A” school. A long partnership with the Army
providing the training came to an end at that time.

The Center for Information Dominance (CID) based at Corry Station in
Pensacola, Florida, is the Navy's learning center that leads, manages and
delivers Navy and joint forces training in information operations,
information warfare, information technology, cryptology and intelligence.

With nearly 1,300 military, civilian and contracted staff members, CID
provides training for approximately 22,000 members of the U.S. armed
services and allied forces each year. CID oversees the development and
administration of more than 200 courses at four commands, two detachments
and 12 learning sites throughout the United States and Japan.

For more information on the Center for Information Dominance, visit
http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceninfodom/;
facebook.com/CenterForInformationDominance/; and twitter.com/CenterInfoDom/.
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This work, Morse code: A staple in the Navy IW toolkit, by Carla McCarthy
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