FORT SILL, Okla.--Twenty-four enlisted Soldiers graduated the Army Electronic Warfare Specialist course Wednesday at Snow Hall, the final pilot class for the new military occupational specialty.
With the course now validated, Lt. Col. James Looney, director of the Training and Doctrine - Electronic Warfare at the Fires Center of Excellence, said the number of students will increase to meet the Army's goal in the next three years of 1,500 electronic warfare personnel to manage the electromagnetic battlespace.
Students received training on the integration of electronic warfare into the military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battlefield and the Army targeting process and may be called upon to provide counsel at the battalion, brigade combat team or divisional level.
"Your advice and counsel will be critically important to commanders, and ultimately, to our national decision makers," said Col. Victor Losch, director of the Joint and Combined Integration Directorate for the Fires Center of Excellence and keynote speaker. "You understand all the many ways the electro-magnetic spectrum affects our operations the EW threats, systems and how friendly EW operations can help us gain the advantage in combat."
As the Army's go-to experts, EW professionals will counter anything that emits an electronic signature, be it radar, radio communications or cell phones.
Prior to deploying to Iraq, Staff Sgt. Jacob Rose, 555th Engineer Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash., was tasked to become the unit's EW officer and was sent to school for training. It paid off in a way that made Rose consider his career options.
"There were four times in Iraq when I was asked to provide an asset and was able to direct it to its use. All four times no one was injured or died due to a radio controlled improvised explosive device. Knowing everyone got back safely made me realize I want to do this for the rest of my career," he said.
Social Sharing