These naval officers have been known as cryptologists, information dominators, spooks and cryppies.

Their new official title: Cryptologic warfare officers.

The name change distinguishes the cryptologists who surreptitiously collect and break adversaries’ communications with the intelligence officers, meteorologists, space cadre and information professionals and others who make up the wider information warfare branch.

Recognizing these officers as cryptologists rather than information warfare officers is in keeping with their historyheritage, says the Navy’s top cryptologist.

"This choice honors our cryptologic heritage, reflects the military effects we deliver in the converged domain and more closely ties our officers with our enlisted and civilian force counterparts," Vice Adm. Jan Tighe, the 10th Fleet commander who heads the Navy’s cryptologic community, in a Monday news release. The Navy also issued a new cryptology seal to mark the occasion.

Cryptologic teams have branched out from their traditional roles in signals intelligence and electronic warfare systems to mounting operations in cyberspace. 

The change pertains to restricted line designator 181X, limited duty officers of the 681X designator and chief warrant officers with the 781X designator.

The name change reverses the 2005 directive to relabel cryptologic officers as information warfare officers and it also brings them in line with their enlisted counterparts in five cryptologic ratings.

160311-N-ZZ999-510 WASHINGTON (March 11, 2016) The new seal for the Navy cryptologic community released March 11, 2016. The design combines elements linking Navy cryptology's past, present and future; and focusing on their core missions of signals intelligence, cyber warfare, and electronic warfare. (U.S. Navy graphic/Released)

Naval officers who specialize in signals intelligence were redesignated as cryptologists, a change that came with a new official seal.

Photo Credit: U.S. Navy

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