The Cryptologic Division Officer Course (CDOC) was first instructed to young and inspiring naval officers 34 years ago.  From the rank and number of officer instructors, to the length of the course and follow on training, this is how cryptologic officer training priorities and investment looked like in 1986.

The year 1986 witnessed several important training initiatives by Commander Naval Security Group (COMNAVSECGRU). By any standard, one of the most important and impressive training accomplishments was the inauguration of the Cryptologic Division Officers course (CDOC). What began as a requirement stated by the three NAVSECGRU Area Directors in January 1985 was ratified by then COMNAVSECGRU, RADM Don H. McDowell and then rapidly translated into reality. First under CDR Stan Allsopp, and subsequently CDR Alex Miller, and through the cooperative hard work of many individuals of the staff of OPNAV, Chief Navy Technical Training, NMPC, COMNAVSECGRU, Headquarters Marine Corps and the Fleet (Commander in Chief’s) CINC’s, CDOC went on line on 21 January 1986, just a year from its inception.

Just what is CDOC and why is it such a significant advance in cryptologic training? The answer is evident in the very name of the course: CDOC provides new accession cryptologic officers of the Navy and Marine Corps the fundamental technical and leadership knowledge and skills necessary to step into an initial cryptologic division officer assignment and perform with success from the first day.

The CDOC curriculum provides aspiring cryptologists with an otherwise unavailable in-depth study of the following major areas: History of Naval Cryptology, Security, United States Intelligence Community (with emphasis on the United States SIGINT System); the Soviet Navy, the U.S. Navy; fundamentals of Electromagnetic Theory, Electronics Warfare, Field Station Operations, Direct Support, Cryptanalysis and Division Officer Duties, and Responsibilities. CDOC is decidedly not a survey course or a smorgasbord of nice-to-know facts. Rather it is a consciously pragmatic course which goes into some detail in each of the major areas enumerated. The students are definitely challenged by the breadth and depth of the curriculum, and are observed at all times on military bearing, attitudes and physical fitness. Students are required to give daily intelligence briefs, as well as two other major oral presentations: one, a geopolitical brief on a specific country and another a complete station brief on an assigned Naval Security Group Activity. There are additional practical exercises in each section to give hands-on participation by the students.

As noted above, CDOC started i n January 1986, and the first class of 22 students graduated in May 1986. The impressive ceremony was held at the Naval Security Station and featured remarks by RADM D.H. McDowell, CNSG; and LGEN Alfred M. Gray. CG FMFLANTI/CG, III MAF. Special recognition was given to First LT Gregory K. Sizemore (Company L, MARSPTBN), Guantanamo Bay), USMC and ENS Paul R. Bricker, USN (COMNAVSECGRU) who were the number one and two graduates.

The second CDOC class commenced in July 1986 and graduated in October 1986. VADM James R. Hogg, USN, Director of Naval Warfare gave an illuminating speech concerning the threat facing the nation and the Navy and how cryptology serves as a fleet force multiplier in combatting that threat. Distinguished graduates were ENS Alice H. Lippincott, USN (NSGA Homestead) and ENS Michael G. Shuma, USNR (NSGA Misawa).

The third class convened on 13 January 1987 and graduated on 26 May. The Commander, Naval Intelligence Command, Rear Admiral Dale N. Hagen, USN delivered a keynote address stressing leadership challenges and responsibilities facing the new cryptologic officers. ENS Stephen L. Parode, USN (NSGA San Vito) and LTJG Vincent E. Debban, USN (NSGA Misawa) were the top students. This class also included two second generation cryptologists, ENS Catherine A. Koch, USN, daughter of CAPT Robert Koch, USN (Ret.) now at NSGA Edzell, and ENS Debra S. McGinnis, USNR daughter of CAPT George P. McGinnis USN (Ret.). The class also included ENS Kevin J. Hegg, USNR-R who received special active duty orders to attend.

The fourth class (CDOC8702D) convened 13 July 1987 and will graduate 20 November.

There is no “typical student body; all three classes have consisted of a mix of lateral transfers from other communities newly commissioned Ensigns with no previous experience, some officers with previous enlisted experience and some officers from field sites on returnable quotas. Ranks range from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander. Class number three (CDOC 87010) has a drilling reserve officer (USNR-R on Special Active Duty for Training) thus supporting the total force concept. In the future, the classes will tend toward all newly commissioned officers and junior lateral transfers.

Graduates typically qualify more quickly than non-graduates for assignments in the field. CDOC is the first building block in a career of educational opportunities that includes CY500, Junior Officer Cryptologic Career Program, Naval Postgraduate School and the various War Colleges. Eventually, every junior officer in the NSG will go through CDOC prior to his/her first cryptologic assignment.

The current staff of CDOC consists of:

Course Director……….CDR R.W. Cosgriff
Asst CD/Instructor……LCDR W.K. Evers
Instructor………………Capt J.V. Aldrich, USMC
Instructor………………LT G. Darroca
Instructor………………LT M.B. Carucci
Instructor………………CTOCS(SW) W.L. Barber
Instructor………………CTRCS T.P. Kosyla
Instructor………………GYSGT D.M. Pratscher
Instructor………………CTTC R.B. Thomas
Admin………………..….CTA2 D. Chu

All the instructors have graduated from Navy Instructor Course and Curriculum Development Course. Senior Chief Barber and Senior Chief Kosyla are designated as Master Training Specialists and the Course Director has an MA in Education.

CDOC has already had a positive effect on the quality of junior officers in the field. This effect will grow as more officers graduate. The technological and leadership demands of today’s – and tomorrow’s – Navy make CDOC an essential element in the overall training responsibility of CNSG and the overall effectiveness of our field sites, ships and staffs. This view is summed up in the CDOC motto: “PER SCIENTIAM AD ACIEM PRIMAM” – “Take your knowledge to the front line.”

THE CDOC CREST

The crest was designed around the theme “Leadership, Excellence and Success Through Knowledge.” The perimeter forms a hexagon, long recognized as a symbol of strength and integrity in science and nature. The emblem depicts the realm of the cryptologist, the earth’s oceans, land and space supporting a tricolored field.

Two black electrical bolts, denoting the non-visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, separate the primary colors of the visible spectrum. Four symbols representing the breadth of cryptologic knowledge are superimposed on the face of the emblem. The crest portrays the “pride and professionalism” embodied within the United States Navy Cryptologic Division Officer Course and, moreover, represents the foundation on which new Naval and Marine cryptologists will build their careers.

Featured Picture: CDOC Graduating Class 87010.  Taken in front of the “on-the Roof”Gang (OTRG) Memorial at Naval Security Group Command Headquarters.  Staff members in the photograph are: Far Left (standing) CTRCS Thomas P. Koslya; seated (Left to right), LT Michael B. Carucci, USN; LCDR Wayne K. Evers, USN; CDR Robert W. Cosgriff, USN; Capt James V. Aldrich, USMC; LT Kevin M. Kelly, USN; (far right), standing  CTOCS(SW) William L. Barbar, USN.

Source: CRYPTOLOG NCVA Fall 1987