ENS Brian Madariaga is the last enlisted cryptologic technician (CT) to be commissioned as a Cryptologic Warfare Limited Duty Officer (LDO).  Congratulations on your commission and welcome to the Cryptologic Warfare Officer wardroom shipmate!  Below is ENS Brian Madariaga’s biography. 

Ensign Madariaga, a native of Lomita, California, enlisted in the United States Navy in July 2008.  Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois he reported to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, California where he completed the Basic Persian-Farsi acquisition course. 

Upon graduation, he reported for duty with Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Georgia where he served as a Cryptologic Direct Support Element Supervisor, Senior Operator, as well as Tactical Maritime Watch Supervisor and qualified in Submarines.  In 2013 he departed NIOC Georgia for the aircrew qualification pipeline, completing SERE training, Naval Aircrew Candidate School, and the EP-3 Special Operator course.

In 2014, he reported NIOC Bahrain where he served as Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Program Coordinator, Senior Operator, Airborne Mission Supervisor, Assistant NATOPS Instructor and Command Fitness Leader.  During his tour in Bahrain, he accrued over 800 flight hours in support of Operation INHERENET RESOLVE.

In 2015, he received orders to NIOD Kaneohe Bay where he served as an Airborne Mission Supervisor, Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist Program Coordinator, and flew operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, and Operation OAKEN STEEL throughout the CENTCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility.  In 2017, he was selected for Chief Petty Officer and assumed roles as Administration and Operations Department Chief.

In 2018, Madariaga reported to Cryptologic Warfare Group SIX and became a plankowner of Cryptologic Warfare Activity SIXTY-FIVE (CWA-65) when it stood up that same year.  At CWA-65, he served as a Senior Enlisted Leader within the Directorate of Operations, National Security Agency, and Command Language Program Manager.

After his tour at CWA-65, he was screened and selected for the Joint Cyber Operations Group and served as a Troop Senior Enlisted Leader and eventually a Deputy J3. He holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Persian-Farsi from the Defense Language Institute.  While enlisted, Madariaga earned his Enlisted Information Warfare, Submarines, Naval Aircrew Warfare, and Enlisted Aviation Warfare qualifications, and accrued 1,928 flight hours.

His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit and campaign awards.

ENS Madariaga and his wife, Bailey wed in 2020.

On July 1, 2022, Brian Madariaga was commissioned an ensign-LDO (6810). When Chief Madariaga applied for this highly competitive program he had no idea his selection would be historic!  Sadly his officer commission marks the end of an era.  For nearly 70 years, the cryptologic community commissioned enlisted CTs with technical expertise and leadership skills who desired an officer commission.  Today, commissioning opportunities for these young highly skilled and motivated Sailors are not possible for those who have 5-14 years of service. The decision to sundown this program may lead to an exodus of needed talent the cryptologic warfare community and the U.S. Navy desperately needs.