Townsquare Media and Integrity Builders are teaming up to salute our local heroes with our Warrior of the Week program.

Congratulations to Allentown's Michael Asprococlas, our Warrior of the Week for the week of February 24th, 2020.

By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO – Those serving at The Information Warrior Training Command (IWTC) in San Diego believe in the importance of continued education. Sailors are trained in areas they’ll need to execute information warfare throughout their military service.

One of the Marines continuing the tradition of maritime superiority through information warfare is Captain Michael Asprococlas, an intelligence officer responsible teaching a rapid response planning course.

“Training provides me the opportunity to convey experiences that I have had both positive and negatives to sailors and Marines before they go on deployment,” said Asprococlas.

Asprococlas is a 2005 Allentown High School graduate and native of Allentown, New Jersey.

According to Asprococlas, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Allentown.

“I grew up in a mix of a rural and suburban town,” said Asprococlas. “I grew up on a farm so working long hours and getting up early kind of came naturally. I also played a lot of sports which taught me the competitive nature all converted easily to my job in the Navy.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Each year the CIWT domain trains approximately 20,000 students comprised of military members from all branches and Department of Defense civilians. Throughout the program, participants can take any of the 200 classes offered to prepare them for battle.

The CIWT domain along with all other Navy training commands are transforming and innovating their training programs through Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL), a pillar of Sailor 2025. Sailor 2025 is a program that uses modern personnel management and training systems to recruit, develop, and retain sailors for the future of the Navy. RRL delivers a modernized learning continuum that aligns training with fleet requirements and warfighter needs. The long-term vision of RRL is to take modernized training to the point of need in the fleet at the waterfront.

According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of today’s Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future.

“I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Gilday. “And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”

There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Asprococlas is most proud of being the first Marine to win Instructor of the Year in 2018.

“I was the first Marine to do it which is pretty cool,” said Asprococlas. “It was recognition that we were actually doing things for the fleet. I didn’t anticipate that the information warfare domain would be where it was. It says a lot about the information warfare domain.

For Asprococlas, serving in the military is a tradition passed down from generations.

“I am fourth generation military,” said Asprococlas. “It is pretty important to me to continue on the family tradition of military service. I was not pressured to join but going through that mutual experience is valuable.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Asprococlas , as well as other service members, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.

“Serving in the Navy means getting to be a part of a larger organization with a genuine mission,” said Asprococlas. “It also means being a part of the traditions where you can go through hardship with other people and contribute to an important mission. It is pretty fulfilling.”

Congratulations to Allentown's Michael Asprococlas, our Warrior of the Week.

Do you know a deserving past or present military member? Nominate them now. Every Military Monday, we’ll share one of the nominations and honor that person as our Warrior of the Week.

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