MCWO

Question 1

What is the purpose of Program Authorization 108E?

Answer 1

Officer Candidate indoctrination and training for appointment as a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy.

Question 2

What legal authority governs this program?

Answer 2

Title 10 U.S. Code section 532.

Question 3

Are there any age restrictions for applicants?

Answer 3

Yes, applicants must be between 18 and 42 years old at the time of commissioning, though waivers are considered.

Question 4

What educational qualifications are required?

Answer 4

A baccalaureate degree in fields related to computer science and cybersecurity, among others, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, or equivalent experience.

Question 5

What is the minimum Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) required?

Answer 5

An OAR score of 50 or higher is required, though waivers are available for exceptional candidates.

Question 6

What type of work experience is preferred?

Answer 6

Experience in computer science, cybersecurity, and related fields is preferred. Military work experience needs validation through performance evaluations.

Question 7

What are the security clearance requirements?

Answer 7

Candidates must meet eligibility standards for access to sensitive compartmented information, including submitting an SF-86 form and undergoing an initial suitability screening.

Question 8

What are the waiverable criteria?

Answer 8

GPA between 3.0 and 2.7, OAR score under 50, specific degree qualifications, and the number of performance evaluations can be waived under certain conditions.

Question 9

What is the service obligation for selectees?

Answer 9

An 8-year active duty obligation from the date of appointment.

Question 10

What pay and allowances do selectees receive?

Answer 10

Upon starting OCS, selectees receive pay and benefits based on their paygrade.

Question 11

What are the citizenship requirements for applicants?

Answer 11

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Question 12

Are there any gender restrictions for the program?

Answer 12

No, there are no gender restrictions.

Question 13

What type of educational background is strongly preferred?

Answer 13

Degrees in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, and other related technical fields.

Question 14

Can graduate degrees affect GPA requirements?

Answer 14

Yes, a graduate-level degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can supersede an undergraduate degree with a non-qualifying GPA.

Question 15

What physical standards must applicants meet?

Answer 15

Applicants must meet the standards outlined in the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15, and be available for worldwide assignment.

Question 16

Is marital status considered in the selection process?

Answer 16

No, there are no restrictions based on marital status.

Question 17

What are the leadership qualifications?

Answer 17

A quantifiable record of leadership in academic, civilian, or military settings is strongly preferred.

Question 18

How is military work experience validated?

Answer 18

Through the submission of the applicant’s three most recent observed enlisted performance evaluations or a memorandum explaining their absence.

Question 19

What is the process for requesting a waiver for eligibility criteria?

Answer 19

Applicants must submit a formal request letter, which is routed from the recruiter to the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command for consideration.

Question 20

Where do selectees complete their indoctrination?

Answer 20

Officer Candidate School at Officer Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island.

Question 21

MCWO Community Lead:

Answer 21

RDML Russ Smith

Question 22

What are the 5 Officer Community Management Categories?

Answer 22

Unrestricted Line (URL) – Officers eligible for operational command at sea, including Surface Warfare, Submarines, Aviation, and Special Warfare (SEALs/EOD).

Restricted Line (RL) – Officers specializing in areas that support operations but do not command at sea, such as Information Warfare, Engineering Duty, Public Affairs, and Aerospace Engineering.

Staff Corps – Officers in specialized professional fields like Medical, Dental, Supply, JAG, Civil Engineer, and Chaplain communities.

Limited Duty Officers (LDO) and Chief Warrant Officers (CWO) – Officers with prior enlisted experience who provide technical expertise in various specialties.

Information Warfare (IW) – Sometimes considered a subset of RL but often managed separately, covering Cryptologic Warfare, Intelligence, Information Professionals, Meteorology & Oceanography, and Cyber Warfare.

Question 23

Unrestricted Line (URL)

Answer 23

Officers eligible for operational command at sea, including Surface Warfare, Submarines, Aviation, and Special Warfare (SEALs/EOD).

Question 24

Restricted Line (RL)

Answer 24

Officers specializing in areas that support operations but do not command at sea, such as Information Warfare, Engineering Duty, Public Affairs, and Aerospace Engineering.

Question 25

Staff Corps

Answer 25

Officers in specialized professional fields like Medical, Dental, Supply, JAG, Civil Engineer, and Chaplain communities.

Question 26

Limited Duty Officers (LDO) and Chief Warrant Officers (CWO)

Answer 26

Officers with prior enlisted experience who provide technical expertise in various specialties.

Question 27

Information Warfare (IW)

Answer 27

Sometimes considered a subset of RL but often managed separately, covering Cryptologic Warfare, Intelligence, Information Professionals, Meteorology & Oceanography, and Cyber Warfare.

Question 28

Difference between LDO and CWO

Answer 28

LDOs are technical managers who commission as O-1E and can promote up to O-5, filling leadership roles traditionally held by unrestricted officers. CWOs are technical experts who commission as CWO2 and can advance to CWO5, focusing on specialized skills. LDOs typically have 8–14 years of service before commissioning and take on broader leadership roles, while CWOs, selected from senior enlisted ranks (E-6 and above), remain subject matter experts. LDOs may transition into command roles, whereas CWOs primarily serve as technical advisors and specialists.

Question 29

Information Warfare Community Mission

Answer 29

Defeat any enemy by using Assured Command and Control, Battlespace Awareness and Integrated Fires to achieve Freedom of Maneuver across all warfighting domains.

Question 30

Cyberspace Operations (CSO) focused on both

Answer 30

Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) and Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO).

Question 31

Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) and Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO). Three words for each.

Answer 31

Disrupt, degrade, or destroy adversary cyber capabilities. Protect, detect, and respond to cyber threats targeting U.S. networks.

Question 32

The Cyber Mission Force (CMF) Component of? Responsible for?

Answer 32

The Cyber Mission Force (CMF) is the operational component of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), responsible for conducting cyber operations to defend national interests. It is composed of highly trained cyber personnel organized into specialized teams, each with distinct missions.

Question 33

What are the Cyber Operation Force (COF) and Cyber Mission Force (CMF)?

Answer 33

Cyber Mission Force (CMF) The CMF is composed of cyber warriors tasked with executing cyber missions. It consists of specialized teams that conduct Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO), Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO), and cyber support activities. The COF refers broadly to the collective cyber forces within the Department of Defense (DoD), including the CMF and other service-specific cyber elements. It encompasses personnel from all military branches engaged in cyber warfare, ensuring a unified and coordinated effort to defend U.S. networks, conduct cyber operations, and support military objectives. In essence, the CMF is the operational arm executing cyber missions, while the COF represents the broader force responsible for cyber warfare within the DoD.

Question 34

USCYBERCOM

Answer 34

U.S. Cyber Command

Question 35

U.S. Cyber Command’s shorten:

Answer 35

USCYBERCOM

Question 36

Cyber Mission Force (CMF) Is the _____ ______ of ______ and is composed of _____ and _____

Answer 36

The CMF is the operational force of USCYBERCOM, composed of cyber warriors tasked with executing cyber missions. It consists of specialized teams that conduct Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO), Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO), and cyber support activities.

Question 37

The CMF includes:

Answer 37

National Mission Teams (NMTs) Cyber Mission Teams (CMTs) Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) Cyber Support Teams (CSTs)

Question 38

National Mission Teams (NMTs)

Answer 38

Focus: Defend the U.S. against strategic cyber threats and adversaries. Role: Conduct Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) to neutralize cyber threats targeting national security. Example: Disrupting foreign cyber actors attempting to interfere in U.S. infrastructure.

Question 39

Cyber Mission Teams (CMTs)

Answer 39

Focus: Support combatant commands in executing military cyber operations. Role: Engage in both offensive and defensive cyber operations in support of military objectives. Example: Disrupting adversary command and control during conflict.

Question 40

Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs)

Answer 40

Focus: Defend DoD networks, weapons systems, and critical infrastructure. Role: Conduct Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO), including threat hunting, network hardening, and incident response. Example: Investigating and mitigating cyber intrusions on military networks.

Question 41

Cyber Support Teams (CSTs)

Answer 41

Focus: Provide intelligence, analysis, and planning support for other CMF teams. Role: Enhance operational effectiveness by supplying cyber threat intelligence, tool development, and mission planning. Example: Developing malware analysis reports to support offensive and defensive cyber operations.

Question 42

National Mission Teams (NMTs)

Answer 42

Mission: Defend the nation by identifying, countering, and disrupting malicious cyber activity targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and interests. Focus: NMTs operate in response to significant cyber threats, often working with other federal agencies (e.g., DHS, FBI) to protect national systems and infrastructure. Tours: Personnel on NMTs typically serve on rotational assignments, often lasting 1-3 years, depending on the mission and operational requirements.

Question 43

Cyber Mission Teams (CMTs)

Answer 43

Mission: Support combatant commands by conducting cyberspace operations in support of military objectives. Focus: CMTs are deployed to provide offensive and defensive cyber capabilities during military operations, ensuring the U.S. maintains an advantage in the cyber domain. Tours: Assignments to CMTs are typically rotational, with personnel serving for 1-3 years before rotating to other roles or teams.

Question 44

Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs)

Answer 44

Mission: Protect DoD networks, systems, and information from cyber threats. Focus: CPTs are responsible for defending DoD’s information networks, conducting vulnerability assessments, and responding to incidents to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical data. Tours: Personnel on CPTs often serve in rotational assignments, with tours lasting 1-3 years.

Question 45

Cyber Support Teams (CSTs)

Answer 45

Mission: Provide analytical and technical support to other CMF teams and combatant commands. Focus: CSTs offer expertise in areas such as intelligence analysis, planning, and cyber tool development to enhance the effectiveness of cyberspace operations. Tours: Assignments to CSTs are typically rotational, with personnel serving for 1-3 years.

Question 46

Difference between 10th fleet and USCYBERCOM

Answer 46

U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and U.S. 10th Fleet (C10F) have a command-support relationship: • USCYBERCOM is a unified combatant command responsible for conducting cyberspace operations, securing military networks, and defending against cyber threats. • U.S. 10th Fleet (C10F), reactivated in 2010, serves as the operational arm of Fleet Cyber Command (FLTCYBERCOM), executing cyber missions under USCYBERCOM’s direction. Essentially, USCYBERCOM sets strategic objectives, while 10th Fleet executes cyber operations for the U.S. Navy.