Over the past few months, many of you have reached out, wondering what became of the content once available on Station HYPO. Since launching in 2015, Station HYPO has shared nearly 2,500 posts—most focused on cryptologic history—and has become a valued resource for researchers, historians, and institutions such as the U.S. Naval Academy and several museums.
Rest assured, the content hasn’t disappeared—it’s simply no longer hosted here. Naturally, that raises the question: why the change?
Let’s just say, sometimes shining a light on certain issues comes with unintended consequences.
Earlier this year, I authored an article titled “Cryptologic Warfare Afloat Needs a Reset,” which was published in Proceedings, the professional journal of the U.S. Naval Institute. The article offered a candid critique of modern-day afloat cryptology. Prior to publication, it was cleared by both the Operations Security Officer and the Public Affairs Officer—steps I believed fulfilled my responsibilities.
However, I later learned that an additional pre-publication review was required—something I was unaware of at the time. That oversight led to an investigation and a formal letter of caution, citing a breach of policy and my NDA.
Given the visibility and scope that Station HYPO archived, I made the decision to remove the content—for now. The goal is simple: to reduce exposure and allow time for reflection. Many of the original posts will return when the time is right.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Mario Vulcano
Read the Proceedings article that was published:
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/january/cryptologic-warfare-afloat-needs-reset

27 May 2025 at 09:27
Don’t like the story, punish the writer…
Mario, for those of us that have publication ambitions, what is this “pre-publication review” and who does it?
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27 May 2025 at 11:55
My service back in the 70’s so I can relate exactly to the problems your talking about. I had no idea this was going on in today’s Navy. That’s a train wreck 😳 we’ll with the past presidential administration I’m not surprised. I’m glad you printed that article, it needs exposure to fix the problems! Thank! CTR3 Elder 75-79
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27 May 2025 at 11:56
Mario:
I guess NSA has to do something so it appears it has it’s thumb on any disclosures relating to National Security. Kinda’ funny considering how many foreign-employed spies worked at NSA, I.E. William Martin, Bernon Mitchell, David Boone, Ronald Pelton, Edward Snowden and who knows how many we have not been told about.
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27 May 2025 at 14:18
It seems to me, from my reading of this article, that pre-publication review policies and their interpretation by USNI, not NSA, caused the author to “pull” Station HYPO content from this website.
My interpretation may be incorrect, of course. I’m no longer a member of USNI and I have never submitted an article for PROCEEDINGS, so I’m unfamiliar with their procedures.
I am familiar with NSA prepublication review; I’ve assisted a few Navy cryptologic veterans navigate NSA/CSS P131 as Web Administrator for https://usncva.org/.
I’m an old(!) CTIC(SS) Intermediate Russian linguist and Senior Analyst who was deployed with Cryptologic Direct Support elements aboard 6 submarines, 9 surface warships, and shore commands (ACNSG, NSGD/NCS Rota, NSGA Edzell, NFS Sinop, NSGA FT Meade) during my time.
I found and read the USNI article authored by CTICM Gloriana Jensen, “Make the Cryptologic Technician Interpretive Rating More than Translators” both interesting and somewhat discouraging. It’s evident that much has changed.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2023/september/make-cryptologic-technician-interpretive-rating-more
Don White
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28 May 2025 at 14:16
hmmm…double secret probation…
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