A US Navy information systems technician uses a computer terminal aboard the USS America, an amphibious assault ship, in November 2017. The Navy’s recent renaming of its IT professional position reflects an awareness of its growing responsibility. (US Navy/Mass Communication Spc. 3rd Class Vance Hand)

The US Navy’s IT Workers Are Now ‘Warfare Officers’

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The change fits a broader pattern of emphasizing “warfighting” under the Pentagon’s current leadership, but also reflects a recognition that cyberspace is an essential domain of modern warfare.

The United States Navy’s “Information Professionals”—usually known in the civilian world as IT workers—are on track to receive a new, and possibly more exciting, title. As of this week, those with the 182X officer designator, denoting an information technology professional, will instead be known as “Communications Systems Warfare Officers” (CSWOs).

The Navy formally enacted the change on Sunday, which the service noted also commemorated the 25th anniversary of IT pros serving in the ranks.

“This redesignation is a direct warfighting imperative. The title ‘Information Professional’ no longer captures the strategic reality of a community charged with stewarding our digital environment and delivering the maritime information advantage from seabed to space,” read the Naval Administration Notice (NAVADMIN) alerting sailors to the change.

There is clearly more to this update than Secretary of........

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