LT Romano Rumbawa returned to Corry Station to attend the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator (CRC) course in preparation for his next assignment as the Amphibious Squadron-SIX CRC. 

However, this was not the first time Rumbawa attended training at Corry Station. The first time was 2007 as a seaman to attend CTT “A” school technical training. Ten years later Rumbawa returned, this time as an Ensign, to attend the Cryptologic Warfare Officer Basic Course after receiving a commission through the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program. Following this training he served on the USS MCFAUL (DDG 74) as the Signals Intelligence Warfare Officer. 

But it was as a seaman Rumbawa left an indelible mark on Corry Station.  While he attended the shipboard operator course, he painted a set of murals on a wall in building 1099 near the Enhanced Shipboard Operator Training System laboratory. Since that time, thousands of sailors have walked past Rumbawa’s murals – some probably wondering who painted them.

“It was a bit surreal!” said Rumbawa during his return to Corry Station. “I was able to revisit the headspace I was in as an E-3 for a moment during my most recent visit and put myself back into an “A” Schooler’s shoes. The dynamic when you compare my experience now to my past experience is obviously different, but it was energizing to interact with young Sailors; very motivated, very professional young people. Their attitudes and enthusiasm provided some assurance for the future of our community, and the Navy at large.” 

Rumbawa continued, “The only thing I would do differently in my career is make sure I prioritize my family and myself a bit better. The success I’ve enjoyed to this point in my career has been built on the backs of my daughters and their mother, and if I could go back with the knowledge I have now, I would definitely strike a better balance of my work and home lives. They have been immensely supportive and it is not lost on me that they have made sacrifices – great sacrifices – in order for me to be where I am today.”

LT Romano Rumbawa biography follows:

Lieutenant Romano W. Rumbawa
Cryptologic Warfare Officer

LT Romano W. Rumbawa is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana and graduate of Western Governors University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management.

In April of 2007, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT). Upon graduation from basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported to Apprentice Technical Training at Naval Aviation Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida. From there, he reported to Center for Information Dominance, Corry Station for CTT “A” school. LT Rumbawa commissioned via the Limited Duty Officer program as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer in September of 2016.

Assignments afloat include USS Bataan (LHD 5) as the lead technician for the AN/SLQ-32A(V)3 anti-ship missile defense suite and USS McFaul (DDG 74) as the Signals Warfare Officer and Plans and Tactics Assistant Department Head. He has made several extended deployments in the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Operations UNIFIED RESPONSE, ODYSSEY DAWN, and UNIFIED PROTECTOR.

Ashore, LT Rumbawa’s assignments include duties as an Electronic Warfare Mentor and Assessor at Electronic Warfare Technical Guidance Unit (now Information Warfare Training Group; IWTG) where he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer, as well as Joint Force Headquarters–Cyber (Navy)/U.S. Fleet Cyber Command as a Cyber Operations Planner.

LT Rumbawa assumed duties and responsibilities as Cryptologic Resource Coordinator on staff for Commander, Amphibious Squadron SIX in October 2021 and has two daughters, Ava (age, eight years) and Savannah (age, five years). His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit and campaign awards.

Thank you for your serve shipmate and welcome back to Corry Station!

Sincerely,
Station HYPO