Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer

MCWOs operate at the forefront of cyber operations, fulfilling mission-critical tasks, including:

• Leadership in Action: Oversee elite teams, such as National Mission Teams (NMTs) and Cyber Mission Teams (CMTs), to ensure mission success.
• Critical Network Assessments: Identify, analyze and neutralize vulnerabilities within networks while spearheading incident responses.
• Cyber Network Operations: Execute offensive and defensive cyber operations to protect Navy and Department of Defense Information Networks (DoDIN).
• Strategic Mission Support: Develop and implement cybersecurity strategies to provide Navy and Joint Force Commanders with actionable options.

MCWOs operational and leadership assignments take place within the Cyber Operation Force (COF) and Cyber Mission Force (CMF). These assignments include serving on specialized teams like National Mission Teams (NMTs), Cyber Mission Teams (CMTs), Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) and Cyber Support Teams (CSTs).

You’ll operate in a variety of locations with potential for worldwide deployments, providing a unique opportunity to contribute from the forefront of Navy cyber warfare.

Your journey as an MCWO begins with a tailored training pipeline that equips you with the skills and knowledge to lead in cyber operations, such as:

• Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC)
• Cyberspace Operations Planner Course (COPC)
• Information Warfare Basic Course (IWBC)

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Post-Service Opportunities

Specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields in the civilian sector.

Advance your education with financial assistance and opportunities at the Naval Postgraduate School. As you progress, you may take on senior roles at Fleet Cyber Command (FCC), Joint Force Headquarters Cyber (JFHQ-C) or US Cyber Command (USCC).

A degree from a four-year college or university is a minimum educational requirement to become a Commissioned Officer. The degree must be in a technical field, with preferred fields of study related to computer science, cybersecurity and related fields.

All candidates must also be: U.S. citizens, willing to serve worldwide and eligible for a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance, which is secured by the Department of Defense if selected.

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.

There are part-time opportunities available as a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer.

Serving part-time as a Navy Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes.

For annual training, Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers may serve anywhere in the world, whether on a ship at sea or at bases and installations on shore.

Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent of that.

Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.

For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.

Officers who previously held a commission in another United States Military Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Service or United States Coast Guard are exempt from attending ODS or LDO/CWO Academy.