(Photo courtesy U.S. Navy)
A 2006 Miami Palmetto Senior High School graduate helps protect America by delivering information warfare capabilities to the U.S. Navy as a member of Cryptologic Warfare Group Six (CWG-6) based in Maryland.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Dan Martinez serves as an information systems technician.
“I focus on cybersecurity, but we do so much more,” said Martinez, a Miami native.
Martinez plays a crucial role in defending against threats in support of the command’s mission to deliver Information Warfare capabilities, such as signals intelligence and cyberspace operations, to the Navy fleet and joint forces.
Information technology advances at a staggering pace. Practically all major systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned vehicles are networked to some degree. This includes most combat, communications, engineering, and navigation systems. While connectivity provides the military with speed, agility, and precision, it also opens numerous attack opportunities for adept cyber adversaries.
There is an inextricable linkage between signals intelligence and cyber operations. Signals intelligence helps inform operational commanders and forward deployed operational units in real time about the actions of adversaries and feeds directly into the Navy’s understanding of cyber actors and their potential actions.
“Given today’s environment of continuous growth in the information and technology realms, our information warfare missions have never been more important. I’m extremely proud of the sailors and extended team who make our mission possible every day,” said, CWG-6 Commander Capt. Joe J. Johnson.
Members of the Information Warfare Community like Martinez support the Navy’s ability to maintain power projection, sea control and maritime superiority.
“Working with computers sounded interesting, so I figured I’d check it out,” Martinez said of his decision to join the Navy as an information systems technician. “I was always intrigued by the sciences. Someone suggested the military and the Navy appealed to me most; it seemed to offer the most diverse and technical jobs.”
Martinez said he is proud to serve at the forefront of technology innovation and cyber operations, helping to protect America from threats around the world.
“I like working as an IT because it makes me very marketable after I transition out of the military,” Martinez said. “I am proud to be a part of something bigger than myself. When I’m out of the military, I’ll still carry it with me for the rest of my life. I will be able to tell my kids that I served in the Navy with pride.”
The future of U.S. maritime power depends on the Navy’s ability to achieve its vision for cyberspace operations which is based on careful consideration of the threats, trends and challenges in cyberspace. The men and women of Cryptologic Warfare Group Six and Navy Information Warfare team stand ready to provide outstanding support to meet the Navy’s mission on a global scale.
