Navy Chaplains Critical to IWTC Monterey Mission Readiness, Warrior Toughness

MONTEREY, Calif. – Navy Chaplains are a force multiplier for the health and readiness of any command, and onboard Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Monterey, they work confidently across the spectrum of faith by prioritizing the wellbeing of the Sailors and advising the leaders of counseling trends and observations.

They are also essential to fulfill a command’s positive climate and shaping command priorities for leader development. Most critical of all, Chaplains are that uniformed, specialized resource Sailors can turn to for counseling confidentiality without obligation to report.

“The expertise and special trust Chaplains possess make them especially critical to building Warrior Toughness in initial entry trainees who need to adjust to military life,” said Cmdr. Josie Moore, commanding officer of IWTC Monterey. “This is especially true at IWTC Monterey where new accession Sailors are not only challenged by the academic rigors of Defense Language Institute instruction, they are also meeting Navy military training demands that include daily physical training, frequent inspections, and leadership development. The operational, fleet experience Chaplains often bring positively influences the quality of their encouragement and advice, and they take a proactive approach to helping Sailors process and overcome difficult situations.”

Strong advocacy for Chaplain support at IWTC Monterey resulted in regular Active Reserve Navy Chaplain support for most of the past year. Notably, Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Dolder came to the command with clinical counseling certification and infectious energy; and Lt. Cmdr. Mark Kitsko, a certified Life Coach, very recently facilitated a “victim versus victor” conversation with junior Sailors to help them think critically about how to adapt and move forward when faced with adversity.

When asked about IWTC Monterey’s Navy Chaplains, Seaman Britnee Perales commented on the value they have understanding Navy culture to better support developing Sailors.

“The impact Chaplain Kitsko not only made on me as a Sailor, but also my shipmates, will be one that we will carry forward with us into our future Navy careers,” shared Perales.

IWTC Monterey, as part of the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT), provides a continuum of foreign language training to Navy personnel, which prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

With four schoolhouse commands, a detachment, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT trains approximately 26,000 students every year, delivering 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 on Information Warfare Training Command Monterey, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/ciwt/IWTCmonterey/ and http://www.monterey.army.mil/Service_Units/IWTC_Monterey.html, or find them on Facebook.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training domain, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/ciwt/, www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.