By Javier Chagoya

Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet Vice Adm. Jan E. Tighe, right, along with two of her task force commanders, seated, discuss follow on assignments for graduates during the cyber curricula's biennial review, May 12. Tighe returned to NPS to review the cyber programs, visit Silicon Valley, and took the chance to reconnect with faculty and staff she knows well as NPS' former Interim President, and an alumna.

Now in its third year, the university's Master of Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) program is geared to provide Navy enlisted Network Cryptologic Technicians and Information Systems Technicians with an advanced cyber systems and network defense education. Tighe has actively nurtured the program since its inception.

"This cadre of Information Dominance professionals comes to NPS with a practical knowledge of network security; however, now they have the opportunity to learn advanced methods for improving secure networks," said Tighe. "They are also able to share the learning environment with junior officers from across the services and our allies. I see these individuals becoming leaders of operational Sailors."

Tighe also had the opportunity to hear directly from MACO program students during her visit and was pleased by the challenging nature of the course work.

Pictured with Tighe are Computer Science (CS) and Cyber Systems Operations (CSO) Program Officer Lt. Cmdr. Eric McMullen, standing, Navy Information Operations Command Capt. James Mills, left, and Naval Cyber Defense Operations Command Capt. Doug Powers, right. Mills and Powers assisted Tighe during her two-day review of the university's cyber programs.

For additional information on the review, check out the full story from Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet.