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 completed training to become a Cryptologic Technician Collection analyst with a qualification as an Information Warfare Specialist. Aniela was assigned to the Cryptologic Warfare Group-49 in FLEETCOM Sector Three as a Cryptologic Technician Collection for the Office of Naval Intelligence's Signal Corps in 2540. After serving at her post for three years on Fjord, she completed training to become a Prowler Warfare Specialist and was reassigned to the Prowler Corps in 2544. Aniela completed two successful tours supporting Operation: WORM BOX and Operation: HYPODERMIC in FLEETCOM Sector Three as an Assistant Lead Petty Officer between 2546 and 2548. She transferred to the Signal Corps Headquarters by 2549 to serve in the Research and Development Department as a Lead Research Specialist. Attending a Naval Community College, she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science in 2551 while also earning a qualification as an Expeditionary Warfare Specialist. She was reassigned to Naval Special Warfare Support Activity-22 in FLEETCOM Sector One where she participated in the Battle of Reach as a Lead Petty Officer. Aniela participated in the Battle for Earth where she was assigned to UNSC Naval Special Warfare Support Activity-14 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 on an Enlisted-to-Officer Commissiong Program with sponsorship from the UNSC Navy.

Graduating from Tribute Naval Academy with a Bachelors of Science in Information Science, Aniela completed training to become a Cryptologic Warfare Officer by 2555. She was assigned to Bravo-9 Division, Cyber Warfare Group, Cryptologic Operations Squadron as a Division Officer-in-Charge. She oversaw the deployment of Cryptologic Mission Teams to Naval Special Warfare Command assets across FLEETCOM Sector One in support of Operation: INHERENT STANDARD and Operation: NIRVANA. Aniela completed one rotation with an ODST Special Operations Expeditionary Unit as a Field Cryptologic Team assigned to the Command Element between 2557 and 2559. She served in the Research and Development Unit, Cryptologic Activities as an Assistant Operations Officer to help develop Project SOLACE, a project to help with infiltrating and exploiting Covenant splinter faction technology. As a Lieutenant, she served as a Task Unit Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Task Force Intelligence Officer. Aniela attended Naval Postgraduate School - Tribute to earn a Masters of Science in Identity Management and Cyber Security in 2568. She was promoted to Lieutenant Commander shortly after completing her degree and returned to Bravo-9 Division.

As a Lieutenant Commander, Aniela served in the Research and Development Unit, Cryptologic Activities as a Project Director on Project SOLACE. There, she continued to oversee the development and advancement of exploitation technology. She became a Joint Qualified Officer after spending a rotation with the 105th Shock Troops Division in their intelligence house between 2570 and 2571. Returning to Bravo-9, she became the Squadron Executive Officer of the Cryptologic Operations Squadron where she oversaw all operational activities across the Bravo-9 Division. Promoted to Commander in 2574, Aniela was charged with rebuilding and restructuring the Cryptologic Operations Squadron to suit near-peer threats. She overhauled the Squadron by rebuilding the organizational structure and training program to fit the growing threats. Placing strategic importance on experience, she helped teams conduct cross-training with ODSTs and other Naval Special Warfare Units to familiarize the personnel with training, tactics, and procedures. In 2577, Aniela retired from the UNSC as a Commander with her final posting within Bravo-9 Division.

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.