Aniela Kasowska

"With Earth compromised and the Portal being a prime target, the UNSC must continue to use information warfare as a means to deceive and distract enemies. ONI shall rise into the spotlight as the dominant information warfare command. With each misstep, it gives our enemies a chance to strike when we are weak."

- Lieutenant, Junior Grade Aniela Kasowska in 2558.

Commander Aniela Kasowska is a retired senior officer of the UNSC Navy. She served as an enlisted Cryptologic Technician for the Office of Naval Intelligence's Signal Corps before receiving her commission in 2557 to serve as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer in the Bravo-9 Division.

Following her retirement in 2577, Aniela worked for SoftCells Technologies and later returned to the Bravo-9 Division as a civilian consultant during the Excession Conflict. She later co-founded Aperture Group where she works as the Chief Operating Officer.

Early life
Born on January 3, 2520, Aniela grew up in Esztergom on Reach. Her father worked as a mechanical engineer for the UNSC Engineering Corps while her mother served as a nurse for the UNSC Medical Corps. Growing up in Esztergom, Aniela was raised in a military-like household where she learned the history of the United Nations Space Command in the Inner Colonies and many of the notable campaigns they took on. During her academic years, Aniela was known as a bright student who enjoyed studying different cultures and traditions. She enrolled at the University of Esztergom in 2538 wanting to become an anthropologist but dropped out after a year. Aniela went on to enlist into the UNSC Navy and serve in the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Military career
Enlisting into the UNSC Navy at 19 years of age in 2539, she was assigned to the Cryptologic Warfare Group-49 in Sector Three as a cryptologic collection technician for the Office of Naval Intelligence's Signal Corps. After serving at her post for six years on Fjord, she was assigned to the Prowler Corps and completed two tours supporting Operation: WORM BOX and Operation: HYPODERMIC till 2548 as a cryptologic collection technician assistant lead petty officer. Aniela was assigned to Signal Corp's Headquarters to serve on a research and development project till 2551 as a research specialist. She was reassigned to Cryptologic Warfare Group-22 in Sector One where she participated in the Battle of Reach. Aniela then participated in the Battle for Earth where she was assigned to UNSC Naval Special Warfare Support Activity FOURTEEN as a lead petty officer. Following the end of the Human-Covenant War, she reached the rank of cryptologic technician first class and attended Tribute Naval Academy in 2553 to earn a degree in computer science.

Graduating from Tribute Naval Academy, Aniela was assigned to Bravo-9 Division's Cyber Warfare Group, Cryptologic Operations Squadron as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer in 2557. She deployed to support Operation: INHERENT STANDARD as a section commander with an ODST Special Operations Expeditionary Unit between 2557 and 2559. Aniela was reassigned to the Research and Development Unit as an assistant operations officer to help develop Project SOLACE in developing better cyberwarfare and cryptologic techniques against Covenant splinter factions. Being promoted to Lieutenant in 2561, she served as a task unit executive officer for the cryptologic operations squadron for three years then served as a task force intelligence officer to NAVSPECWAR, Sector One until 2567. Aniela attended NAVSPECWAR University - Tribute and earned a master of science in strategic intelligence before being promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2569.

As a Lieutenant Commander, Aniela commanded a task unit inside the cryptologic operations squadron till 2572 and served as the squadron operations officer until 2574. She deployed with the task unit under Naval Special Warfare Task Group - Ruthersberg to support intelligence collection and exploitation missions. She briefly served as the squadron executive officer and helped with restructuring the squadron to become more adaptive to former Covenant technology. In 2575, Aniela was promoted to Commander. She went on to take command of the cryptologic operations squadron and worked on strengthening the division's capabilities in preparation for the Excession Conflict. Aniela also worked on building a stronger relationship with the Special Operations Group to help with securing their transmission. In 2577, Aniela retired from the UNSC Navy at the rank of Commander. Her final position was squadron commander for the cryptologic operations squadron.

Post-Military Career
Shortly after her retirement, Aniela joined SoftCell Technologies as a senior partner in 2577. She assisted in handling cryptography projects and running her own project known as Project SUNRISE within SoftCell. Following the breakout of the Excession Conflict, Aniela rejoined the Bravo-9 Division as a civilian consultant in 2582. She served as a senior subject matters expert and a senior consultant to the deputy group commander of the cyberwarfare group. During her time, she assisted in providing valuable insight into cryptography and cyberwarfare to create plans on retaking the Sol System. She also served in the Research and Development Unit as a project consultant along with the Special Operations Group as a technical consultant. Aniela returned to SoftCell Technologies to serve as a project manager in 2587. For the next two years, she worked on various information security topics and provided services to private companies as well as the colonial government.

In 2590, Aniela left SoftCell Technologies to co-found Aperture Group with Samuel. It was known as a private technology firm with financial support from ONI. She served as the chief operating officer and oversaw various projects along with day-to-day operations. Her background in cryptography and cyberwarfare allowed Aniela to select candidates to help with the group's goals. Aniela received the Bravo-9 Distinguished Intelligence Medal in 2592 for her work during the Human-Covenant War and Post-War activities. She joined the board of directors for SoftCell Technologies in 2593 and Tempest Concepts in 2594.

Personality
Aniela is known for being a critical analyst and quiet leader. During her years in the UNSC, she spent time perfecting her craft and striving to be the best Cryptologic Technician. She was known to work intense hours and volunteer for dangerous missions among her peers. During the Human-Covenant War, Aniela led with her actions and served as a level-headed mentor to people beneath her. Aniela was also known for being introverted and preferred to be in the field rather than behind a desk. She was quickly recommended to become an officer due to her expertise in cryptologic operations.

Throughout Aniela's officer career, she set a standard for a healthy work-life balance. She also became more grounded after her expertise as an enlisted personnel while raising a family. Aniela was known as being an enabler to her subordinates and fought against people who got in her way. Due to her reputation, she rose through the ranks quickly and gained the respect of many senior and flag officers inside the Office of Naval Intelligence. Following her retirement from the UNSC, Aniela was noted for being one of the few officers in the Bravo-9 Division who set a standard many were bound to follow.

Personal life
Aniela married Samuel Gwozdz, an Orbital Drop Shock Troop Scout Sniper in 2557. He retired in 2578 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant after serving as the senior enlisted leader to the 9th Shock Troops Regiment of the 105th Shock Troops Division. The two had a son in 2561 named Wolfgang Gwozdz. He graduated from the Tribute Naval Officers Academy in 2582 to commission into the UNSC Marine Corps as a Cyberspace Warfare Development Officer.

Aniela's father, mother, and older sister were killed in the Battle for Esztergom during the Battle of Reach in 2552. Her younger brother was killed in action during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV. He was drafted into the UNSC Army in 2540 and served as a military police officer. She is a certified Cryptologic Engineer under the Office of Naval Intelligence Signal Corps.