Courtesy Photo | 190221-N-XX082-0008 PENSACOLA, Fla. (February 21, 2019) Sailors at Information Warfare...... read more read more
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By Information Systems Technician 1st Class Brian Barragree, Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Sailors at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station highlighted a month-long celebration of Black History Month, Feb. 21.
Led by Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Frakelia Leonard, the command's cultural awareness committee lead, the event focused on the important role African Americans have played in the naval history. Speakers addressed the achievements of Adm. Michelle J. Howard, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl Brashear, Chief Gunner’s Mate John Henry, and Fleet Master Chief April D. Beldo. The presentations ended on the significant contributions of Vice Adm. Samuel Gravely, the first African American to achieve flag rank.
In 1944, Samuel Gravely Jr. would make history as one of the first United States Navy officers commissioned in the wake of the first 13 African American commissioned officers legendarily known as “The Golden Thirteen”. In 1961, he marked one of the many “firsts” when he became the first African American officer to command a Navy Ship, USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD 717). In 1962, he became the first African American officer to command a combat ship, USS Falgout (DE 324). Serving as commanding officer of USS Taussig (DD 746) during the Vietnam War, his vessel saw combat, providing plane guard and gunfire support off the coast of Vietnam in 1966, marking the first time in history an African American in command of a naval vessel entered combat. Finally, in 1967, he was granted the rank of captain and only five years later the rank of rear admiral.
During the event Cmdr. Chad Smith, commanding officer of IWTC Corry Station, talked about the significant impacts of African Americans in the Navy and also shared some statistics. As of Jan. 1, 2019, there are 65,000 African Americans in the Navy; 6,037 of which are in the paygrades E-5 to E-9; 701 in the paygrades O-5 to O-6; and six are in the paygrades of O-7 and above.
“The Command Cultural Awareness Committee did a great job recognizing the critical role African Americans have played in the Navy,” said Smith. “But it is just as important to recognize the next generation of African American difference makers, getting trained here at IWTC Corry Station every day. Diversity, in all aspects, enables agility and innovation; intangibles necessary for our Naval success in an era of great power competition.”
A few of the staff and students at Corry Station spoke of the diversity of the Navy and impact that their fellow African American Sailors have made.
“Diversity is the backbone of America,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Ryan Scappini. “I believe the military successfully embodies that diversity and that is why I’m proud to serve.”
Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Joel Hernandez shared, “Some of the best team members I have worked with were African American, and they have been instrumental in my career.”
Information Systems Technician Seaman Samantha Dockstader acknowledged how very few people get to experience a workplace as diverse as the Navy and how it is breaking stereotypes. “When I first joined the military, I expected a white, male dominated workplace,” said Dockstader. “Now, I have been proven wrong and it has been a relieving, refreshing sight to see every race in every rank. I feel fortunate to be able to look into the life of a Vietnamese woman from California, and an African American man from the South, in the same day. This is something that only a few get to experience.”
Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station, as part of the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT), provides a continuum of training to Navy and joint service personnel that prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.
With four schoolhouse commands, two detachments, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT is recognized as Naval Education and Training Command’s top learning center for the past three years. Training over 21,000 students every year, CIWT delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.
For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training, visit www.navy.mil/local/cid/, http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ciwt/, http://www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or http://www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2019 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 312246 |
| Location: | PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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