Pensacola, Florida - The Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) announced its 2018 Military Instructors of the Year (IOY), October 26.

CIWT selected Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Jamila Love, from Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Virginia Beach, as its Junior IOY; Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class John Payne, from IWTC Corry Station, as Mid-Grade IOY; Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Ronald Burk, from CIWT Det. Fort Gordon, as Senior IOY; and Marine Capt. Michael Asprocolas, from IWTC San Diego, as Officer IOY. 

“Our instructors are truly the best in the Navy, and they go above and beyond every day to train and prepare information warfare experts to defend this great nation,” said CIWT’s Command Master Chief Mike Bates. “The competition was extremely close with the finest of margins between each finalist at every level, and we are extremely proud to recognize them for their efforts.”

Love serves as a Systems Administration Course instructor. The course serves as a foundation for more advanced information systems technician training, and her efforts ensured 256 Sailors were successfully prepared for fleet operations. She delivered more than 1,400 hours of instruction through 16 class convenes. Additionally, she serves as an assistant command fitness leader, CRP instructor, departmental training petty officer and as a member of IWTC Virginia Beach’s command resilience team. 

“Petty Officer Love is by far one of the most talented, passionate and professional instructors I have ever encountered,” said Cmdr. Andrew Boyden, IWTC Virginia Beach’s commanding officer. “Her complete dedication to Navy training has proven vital and directly contributes to the success of hundreds of students obtaining critical job skills fiercely needed in fleet operations.”

Payne serves as an instructor and course curriculum model manager for the AN/SLQ-32(V)3 and AN/SLQ-32 (V)4 Maintenance courses, and as a departmental training specialist. He led 52 IWTC Corry Station staff members in the delivery of 60,486 hours of instruction through 44 course convenes. 

Payne was also selected as CIWT’s 2018 domain-wide Sailor of the Year (SOY). 

“Petty Officer Payne sets the example for his peers, juniors and students alike,” said Cmdr. Chad Smith, IWTC Corry Station’s commanding officer. “He is Sailor-driven, always striving for the success of every Sailor he teachers and mentors.”

Burk serves as an Apprentice Cryptologic Language Program (ACLP) instructor for Persan-Farsi. He instructed three courses to 21 Sailors, directly providing first term cryptologic technicians (interpretive) with the basic skill set needed to support vital fleet operations. He also serves as ACLP’s leading chief petty officer. He led 14 instructors in delivering nearly 5,000 training hours.

Burk also serves as his command’s fitness leader, senior watch officer and Master Training Specialist Program coordinator.

“Chief Burk is an inspiring instructor who is an incredible asset to ACLP and our detachment as a whole,” said Lt. Kevin Lees, officer in charge of CIWT Det. Fort Gordon. “He is an exemplary mentor who creates an environment with outstanding professional growth opportunities for his students and peers.”

Asprocolas serves as division officer for IWTC San Diego’s intelligence training division. He is also course supervisor and instructor for the Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unity Intelligence Operations Course. He personally delivered 475 hours of instruction to 83 students through 10 course convenes. He led the expansion of the command’s ability to conduct mobile training times, increasing course outreach to both overseas and stateside fleet concentration areas. He continually assured that all blocks of instruction were relevant, updated and successfully integrated.

“Capt. Asprocolas embodies the excellence in instruction this prestigious award seeks to acknowledge,” said Cmdr. Errol Laumann, IWTC San Diego’s commanding officer. “His professionalism with staff and students is a testament to his dedication to the Navy and Marine Corps.”

The four instructors will now join other military members within the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) enterprise as candidates for NETC’s SOY and IOY honors.

Center for Information Warfare Training delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.