Welcome to Your Sailor's next stop: “A” School at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virgnia Beach, Virgnia

(Intelligence & Information Warfare)

If your Sailor’s orders say Virginia Beach, Virginia or Dam Neck, they are heading to one of the Navy’s most strategically important training locations — Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex.

This installation is home to advanced training in Intelligence, Cyber, and Information Warfare — fields that protect the nation through information, technology, and strategic awareness.

If your Sailor is headed here, they are entering the modern battlefield.

Where Is Dam Neck?

Dam Neck Annex is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, near the Atlantic Ocean and just south of Naval Air Station Oceana.

It operates as part of the larger Navy presence in the Hampton Roads area — one of the largest concentrations of military forces in the world.

Virginia Beach offers:

• Coastal climate (mild winters, warm summers)

• Strong military community

• Extensive Navy family support services

What Type of “A” School Is Here?

Dam Neck is known for training Sailors in:

Intelligence

Cryptology

Cyber Warfare

Information Warfare

Training commands at this location support the Navy’s Information Warfare Community (IWC) — the branch responsible for gathering, analyzing, protecting, and using information to support military operations.

What Ratings Train at Dam Neck?

Depending on your Sailor’s contract, they may be training as:

• Intelligence Specialist (IS)

• Cryptologic Technician (various CT ratings)

• Information Systems Technician (IT)

• Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT)

• Operations Specialist (OS – some advanced tracks)

Some training may also occur at nearby installations within the Hampton Roads region, depending on the rating.

What Do They Learn?

This training is very different from traditional mechanical or engineering schools.

Sailors may study:

• Intelligence analysis

• Signals collection

• Cyber defense fundamentals

• Secure communications systems

• Computer networking

• Information security

• Threat assessment

• Operational planning support

This is highly technical and often academically challenging training.

What Makes This Assignment Unique?

Families should know:

• Some aspects of your Sailor’s job may be classified.

• They may not be able to discuss specific training details.

• Information Warfare Sailors work behind the scenes — but their impact is critical.

• Many careers in this field translate strongly into civilian technology, cybersecurity, and intelligence careers.

This is one of the Navy’s fastest-growing and most strategically important communities.

Life During “A” School

At Dam Neck:

• Training is structured but less restrictive than boot camp.

• Sailors are in classroom and lab environments.

• Liberty privileges increase with progress.

• Communication home is typically consistent.

• Professional standards remain high.

Because this is a shore-based training command, Sailors are often in a traditional school schedule format.

Why This Matters

Modern warfare isn’t just fought with ships and aircraft — it’s fought with information.

If your Sailor is headed to Virginia Beach / Dam Neck, they are stepping into a role that protects communications, tracks adversaries, secures networks, and supports fleet operations worldwide.

They may work quietly — but their mission is powerful.

And as always, Navydads is here to support you through every stage of this journey.