Cryptologic Technicians (CT's) Interpretive are the Navy's linguists. CTIs attend language training at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), in Monterey, California. They specialize in the analysis of foreign language materials and the preparation of statistical studies and technical reports. Language training is open to men and women in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian-Farsi, Russian, and Spanish. Additional languages are available to CTIs that qualify for an additional language. New recruits cannot get a guaranteed language in their enlistment contract. Language assignment is determined at DLI based on aptitude, school quotas, and Navy requirements.
The duties performed by CTIs include:
- operating sophisticated state-of-the-art electronic radio receivers, magnetic recording devices, computer terminals and associated peripherals in the communications signals environment;
- operating sophisticated, computer-assisted information systems;
- working with classified material;
- translating, interpreting and transcribing foreign language communications data;
- analyzing and reporting highly technical information of strategic and tactical importance to fleet commanders and national intelligence agencies;
- performing temporary duty aboard a variety of naval surface and subsurface vessels and aircraft.
Working Environment
CTI's normally work in clean, comfortable office-type or small technical laboratory-type environments while on shore duty. Sea duty is performed on a variety of air, surface and subsurface platforms. At times they are closely supervised but often work independently or in small, coordinated teams. Their work is of high interest to command and decision-making levels. It is mostly mental, involving foreign language materials. CTIs may be assigned to temporary duty aboard Navy aircraft. Additionally, male CTI members may be assigned to duties aboard a Navy submarine.
A-School (Job School) Information
- Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA -- 173 to 439 calendar days, depending on language
- Goodfellow AFB, TX -- 92 to 173 calendar days, depending on language
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required)
Other Requirements
- Must score 100 or more on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)
- Must be world-wide assignable
- Must have normal hearing
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Immediate family members must be U.S. Citizens
- Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying
- Personal security screening interview required
- Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible
- Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: N/A months
- First Shore Tour: N/A months
- Second Sea Tour: N/A months
- Second Shore Tour: N/A months
- Third Sea Tour: N/A months
- Third Shore Tour: N/A months
- Fourth Sea Tour: N/A months
- Forth Shore Tour: N/A months
Due to the unique nature and specific skill sets required by sailors in the various CT communities, career paths are defined by INCONUS (inside the U.S.) and OUTCONUS (outside the U.S.) tours, instead of sea/shore rotations. Sailors can expect to serve on various tours outside the continental United States and/or overseas tours which count as sea duty, during their career.
CTI's can expect a rotation of one INCONUS tour, followed by one OUTCONUS tour, ect., during their careers.
CTM The Cryptologic Technician Maintenance branch offers a career in the installation, configuration, diagnosis, and repair of state-of-the-art electronic, computer, and network hardware and software systems.
The duties performed by CTMs include:
- perform hardware and software isolation and repair of state-of-the-art electronic, computer and network equipment and related systems using complex test and analysis equipment, diagnostic software, hand tools and technical publications;
- perform computer and electronic system hardware and software installation, configuration and modification;
- analyze the configuration and monitor the operation of computer telecommunications and networking systems;
- calibrate and repair a wide variety of precision electronic test equipment;
- perform information security and computer network defense functions for secure networks and communication systems;
- maintain fleet cryptologic permanent and carry-on direct support systems required in special land, sea surface and subsurface operations.
Working Environment
CTM are assigned to equipment installation activities, electronic maintenance, and computer networking system departments and divisions. They may be assigned to either day work or shift work in a large facility or one of the individual or two-person independent duty assignments at sea or ashore. Departments and divisions are usually divided into specialized maintenance shops and are normally air-conditioned, well-lighted, and completely equipped.
A-School (Job School) Information
- Correy Station, FL -- 121 calendar days
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required)
Other Requirements
- Must have normal hearing
- Must have normal color perception
- 72 month enlistment obligation
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Immediate family members must be U.S. Citizens
- Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying
- Personal security screening interview required
- Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible
- Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 48 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 36months
- Second Shore Tour: 36 months
- Third Sea Tour: 36 months
- Third Shore Tour: 48 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 48 months
CTM's are detailed according to billet and relief availability. Most PCS afloat tours are 48 months for those with NECS of 9224, 9225, and 9289. CTM 9229 requires 60 months of sea duty obligation following initial skills training.
CTN The Cryptologic Technician - Networks branch offers a career in computer Networks. CTN's perform a variety of duties associated with computer network operations across global networks. About 600 men and women serve worldwide in the CTN rating. Advanced training in computer network operations, using state-of-the-art technology is readily available. Within a short period, today’s CTN quickly develops highly marketable computer network skills. A combination of technical and analytical computer network skills provides the situational awareness required to plan and execute informational operations (IO) actions/counter-actions. Initial training is located in Pensacola, Florida.
Duties performed by CTNs include:
- Provide technical expertise in network-centric operations.
- Detect, protect, react and respond to threats against Navy networks.
- Defend against external and internal threats through in-depth technical and non-technical methods.
- Computer Network Risk Mitigation.
- Network Vulnerability Assessments and Incident Response/ Reconstruction.
- Active computer network defense, access tool development and computer/network forensics.
Working Environment
CTN's are assigned to computer networking system departments and divisions. They may be assigned to either day work or shift work in a large facility or one of the individual or two-person independent duty assignments at sea or ashore. Departments and divisions are usually divided into specialized mission area shops and are normally air-conditioned, well-lighted, and completely equipped.
A-School (Job School) Information
Corey Station, FL/Pensacola, FL - Around 6 months
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required)
Other Requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Immediate family members must be U.S. Citizens
- Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying
- Personal security screening interview required
- Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible
- Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: N/A months
- First Shore Tour: N/A months
- Second Sea Tour: N/A months
- Second Shore Tour: N/A months
- Third Sea Tour: N/A months
- Third Shore Tour: N/A months
- Fourth Sea Tour: N/A months
- Forth Shore Tour: N/A months
Due to the unique nature and specific skill sets required by sailors in the various CT communities, career paths are defined by INCONUS (inside the U.S.) and OUTCONUS (outside the U.S.) tours, instead of sea/shore rotations. Sailors can expect to serve on various tours outside the continental United States and/or overseas tours which count as sea duty, during their career.
CTNs can expect a rotation of one INCONUS tour, followed by two OUTCONUS tour, ect., until they reach the rank of E-8. E-8s and E-9s can expect a rotation of one INCONUS four, foollowed by one OUTCONUS tour, ect., during their careers.
CTRs perform a variety of duties worldwide at numerous overseas and stateside shore commands, aboard surface ships, aircraft and submarines. Duties include performing collection, analysis and reporting on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted communications equipment, video display terminals and electronic/magnetic tape recorders.
The duties performed by CTRs include:
- providing in-depth analysis on a variety of complex digital communications signals using sophisticated communications equipment and computer technology to provide critical intelligence information;
- providing analysis and technical guidance and targeting information to weapons systems while assigned to ships and submarines;
- operating sophisticated state-of-the-art strategic and tactical signals collection and analysis systems;
- locating ships, aircraft and submarines using sophisticated direction finding technology;
- originating reports and briefs for operational commanders both ashore and afloat.
Working Environment
CTR functions are performed indoors at various shore activities and aboard ships, submarines or aircraft. Personnel may expect a clean, orderly working space, frequent contact and coordination with others and close supervision. CTRs may be assigned to temporary duty aboard Navy aircraft. Additionally, male CTR members may be assigned to duties aboard a Navy submarine.
A-School (Job School) Information
- Correy Station, FL -- 114 calendar days
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required)
Other Requirements
- Must have normal hearing
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Immediate family members must be U.S. Citizens
- Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying
- Personal security screening interview required
- Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible
- Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: N/A months
- First Shore Tour: N/A months
- Second Sea Tour: N/A months
- Second Shore Tour: N/A months
- Third Sea Tour: N/A months
- Third Shore Tour: N/A months
- Fourth Sea Tour: N/A months
- Forth Shore Tour: N/A months
Due to the unique nature and specific skill sets required by sailors in the various CT communities, career paths are defined by INCONUS (inside the U.S.) and OUTCONUS (outside the U.S.) tours, instead of sea/shore rotations. Sailors can expect to serve on various tours outside the continental United States and/or overseas tours which count as sea duty, during their career.
CTRs can expect a rotation of one INCONUS tour, followed by two OUTCONUS tour, ect.,
CTT Cryptologic Technicians (Technical) perform a variety of specialized duties associated with the collection and processing of airborne, shipborne, and land-based radar signals. They operate electronic intelligence receiving and direction finding systems, digital recording devices, analysis terminals, and associated computer equipment. Systems they operate produce high-power jamming signals used to deceive electronic sensors and defeat radar guided weapons systems. Additionally, intelligence derived from collection and processing update national databases which are crucial to tactical and strategic units throughout the world.
The duties performed by CTTs include:
- operating collection and analysis consoles on surface, subsurface, and airborne platforms, as well as at shore commands;
- the first line of defense against inbound threats and anti-ship missiles for deployed units;
- working with highly classified and technical material in support of national security;
- providing electronic intelligence support to commands throughout the world;
- tracking surface and airborne targets of interest to determine defensive maneauvers and tactics in case of attack;
- operating electronic detection and deception systems;
- operating state-of-the-art electronic receivers, signal modifiers, digital recording devices and associated peripherals in collection of airborne, shipborne, and land-based radar signals;
- performing in-depth technical analysis of radar signals/systems to produce technical reports and briefs for operational facilities in the United States, Hawaii, Japan, Spain, Great Britain, Australia, and various remote sites throughout the world;
- creating and maintaining technical databases used by local and national level agencies.
Working Environment
CTT functions are performed in clean, orderly, air-conditioned spaces, with little supervision. Personnel in the CTT ratings normally work with other intelligence and cryptology specialists on tasks that require more mental than physical effort.
A-School (Job School) Information
Pensacola, FL -- 82 calendar days (Note those that enlist under the Advanced Electronics Field option will undergo further advanced training)
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required)
Other Requirements
- Must have normal hearing
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Immediate family members must be U.S. Citizens
- Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying
- Personal security screening interview required
- Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible
- Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 36 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 42 months
- Second Shore Tour: N/A months
- Third Sea Tour: 36 months
- Third Shore Tour: 36 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
For CTTs signed under the AEF program (6 year enlistment), and those with NECs 173 X and 1702, the first sea tour will be 48 months due to the length of iniital training.
Note: Cryptologic Technician now includes the former rating of Electronic Warfare Technician (EW).
