Lake Charles Native Molds Navy Information Warriors, Future Military Officers

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Taylor Jackson | 180820-N-FI568-0001 PENSACOLA, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2018) Al Sharlow, a Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) for the Pensacola area and program analyst for the Center for Information Warfare Training, speaks to local students before their candidate fitness assessment. BGOs serve as local representatives for the U.S. Naval Academy admissions office, conducting candidate interviews and fitness assessments for prospective students. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor L. Jackson/Released)  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

08.21.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Taylor Jackson 

Center for Information Warfare Training

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A Lake Charles, Louisiana native is a force multiplier for a naval command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.

Al Sharlow has served his country for a combined 42 years as a prior active duty officer and now a Navy civilian. He currently serves as a program management analyst for the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station, Florida.

As a program management analyst, Sharlow develops the Learning and Development Roadmaps for enlisted information warfare (IW) Sailors, which outlines training and education milestones for each enlisted rating at each paygrade. He also serves as a trusted agent for government contractors and supports the development of rate training manuals and nonresident training courses.

Sharlow’s command has been recognized as the Navy’s top learning center the past two years, and charged with developing the future technical cadre of the information warfare community, the CIWT domain leads, manages, and delivers Navy and joint force training to 22,000 students annually.

With 1,200 military, civilian and contracted staff members, CIWT oversees about 200 courses at four information warfare training commands, two detachments, and additional learning sites located throughout the United States and Japan.

CIWT is responsible for training enlisted cryptologic technicians, information systems technicians, intelligence specialists, and electronics technicians. CIWT also provides training to cryptologic warfare, information professional, intelligence, and foreign area officers that prepares them to be prepared to wage battle, and assure the nation’s success in this burgeoning warfare arena.

"The CIWT team is successful because each of our domain members, like Mr. Sharlow focuses daily on our job to 'prepare Sailors for war' in our area of information warfare," said Capt. Nick Andrews, CIWT’s commanding officer. " I'm extremely proud of how the impact of Mr. Sharlow’s hard work prepares Sailors for the Navy the nation needs, enhancing fleet readiness each and every day.”

Sharlow is also a retired naval officer, honorably serving for 24 years. After enlisting in the Navy in 1975, he served as an anti-submarine warfare (airborne) operator before earning his commission in 1982 after completion of Officer Candidate School. He retired from active duty in 1999 as a lieutenant commander.

In addition to his work at CIWT, Sharlow continues to support the Navy and other services by building the future of its officer ranks as an area Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) representative. BGOs are responsible for advising and interviewing candidates for U.S. military academies and ROTC programs. He also administers the Candidate Fitness Assessments for the candidates within the area. Since 1995, Sharlow has served as a BGO for Pensacola area high schools and helped more than 20 students gain acceptance into officer programs. He also volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America and various other community organizations.

“Our CIWT domain is comprised of incredibly talented and professional people, and I’m grateful how our Navy civilians, like Mr. Sharlow, play a vital role in the execution of our mission and in our warfighting effectiveness for the Navy the nation needs," said CIWT’s Executive Director Jim Hagy. "I'm humbled and honored to serve alongside Mr. Sharlow and for his dedication and service to not only this command, but this great nation."

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Sharlow and other Sailors and staff know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, serving as a key part of the information warfare community in its mission to gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of adversaries and developing unmatched knowledge of the battlespace during wartime.

These Sailors and staff have a tremendous responsibility in creating warfighting options for fleet commanders and advising decision-makers at all levels as they serve worldwide aboard ships, submarines and aircraft and from the National Security Agency to the Pentagon.

“I am passionate about what I do, from working at CIWT, community service, being a BGO and just helping others,” said Sharlow. “Every little effort can make a difference in youth development, so get involved.”

CIWT delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training enterprise, visit http://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: 08.21.2018
• Date Posted: 08.21.2018 13:52
• Story ID: 289663
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US