CTN FAQ I made from Reddit
 

Note: Information was stolen from many users on Reddit, credit will be given when credit is due!

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Hey all, I wanted to compile all the CTN information I could find on and off of Reddit into one post, hope this helps you, as my research has helped me.

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1. [What CTNs do, deployment information, some A-School information, Duty Stations, and a tad bit of information on the ION pipeline] (http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...r_information/)
FAQ Written by /u/freshdolphin, other great responses by/u/NotAnNSAGuyPromise



2. [What *does* a CTN do when attached to NSW commands?](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...e_says_actual/)
Posted by /u/mikegymnastics



2. [JCAC/CTN study tips](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...tn_study_tips/)
Posted by /u/hessian_peel


3. [What's an average day as a CTN like?](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...rage_day_like/)
Posted by /u/JayHerlth


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Note about ATF/ CTN written by /u/jakizely December of 2014

Talk with the recruiter. They will have all of the current information. However, last I knew, it was still a 6 year contract, and you would get the automatic E4 advancement (ATF program, Advanced Technical Field). For E4, all you have to do it wait the time in rate for it.
The 6 year contract is broken down into two parts. A 4 year contract and a 2 year obliserve. That means that the 2 years are not "permanent".
For example, you can have them dropped if you sign another contract before you hit those two years.
I had a 6 year contract, with the 2 year obliserve, and re-enlisted for 6 (for the bonus money) and so now my total time served is 10 years instead of 12.
I think the minimum is 4 year re-enlistment to have the obliserve dropped. So you can get the bonus money for reenlisting for 4 years, but only serve an extra 2.
The ATF program and any bonus money WILL be on your contract. Don't sign it unless they are both there

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Note about studying for JCAC: I feel like there are two schools of thought here. Either you prep alittle bit, on what some CTNs that recently went through the pipeline said, or just be ready to be hit with schoolwork.
I think the most important thing for hopeful CTNs is when you get to JCAC,is to **STUDY** your butt off.


General Testing info: From my CTN post 6 months ago, [here](http://www.reddit.com/r/navy/comment...tn_any_around/), I learned that failing on tests is a 75, but you really want to get above an 80 on your tests. The Whole thing about JCAC is
that you can't party much, because you need to be studying.


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Associated Navy Documents/ Webpages regarding CTN

1. [CTN/ Intel roles in NSW](http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-np...s/1306-984.pdf)

2. [CTN Career Path](http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-np...eer%20path.pdf)

3. [CTN Overview from Navy.mil/bunpers](http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-np...Pages/CTN.aspx)

4. [Navy CTN Rating Sheet](https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/enlist..._cards/ctn.pdf)

5. [Career Road-map as of **MAY 2015**,](https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/LaDR/ctn_e1_e9.pdf)
Note about the Career Road Map: If you dig around you'll see that the Navy is willing to pay for all kinds of Certs for you.

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So, I hope this helps, and if I left anything out, message me (looking at you /u/NotAnNSAGuyPromise and /u/CTNope)!
Also, I might edit the post and create sections like 'studying for JCAC', 'Advancement Opportunities', etc.


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Also feel free to post up questions that I could add to the FAQ, and if things get too cluttered, I'll remake the post.

EDIT: Formatting



EDIT: [What kind of person fails out of JCAC](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...ac_ctn_school/)


EDIT: [Leave at JCAC around the holidays](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...hool_question/)


EDIT: [CTN Duty Stations right outta A school](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...lable_billets/)


EDIT: [Drug usage and TS/ SCI clearance](http://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy...sci_clearance/)

UPDATED AS OF: 6/18/2015

Great info!

If anyone has other questions too, I'm the LPO of a CTN shop. Lemme know!

/r
CTT1

Sure, I got one. How are you CTN (as in do they enjoy their rate)? Also at your command are there any CTNs that are E4 under 4 getting BAH?

Job enjoyment is hit or miss. If you're really into technology and like getting into the nitty-gritty details of it, then you're going to love it. People that are highly detail oriented do well here. However, if that's not something you like then you may struggle. For the most part though, guys here enjoy what they do.

There are no single E4s getting BAH. They're either in the barracks, paying their own way out in town with a roommate or two, or married (thus getting BAH anyway).

/r
CTT1

E4 over 3 years can apply for BAH at my command. It probably depends a lot on location and how full the barracks are.

^^^

A lot of it has to do with how much room at the barracks they have. I've seen that before, but it's the exception not the rule.

/r
CTT1

Yep yep, Guess i'm waiting till E5 like the rest of the Navy. Do you know how nice the Barracks are at Ft Mede?

It's not that long of a wait in the CT community. You'll be fine :)

And I'm not sure what the barracks situation is up at the mother ship. I would assume they're fine though.

/r
CTT1

Anyone know how life is at the said mother ship?

Fort meade actually allows e-4 to live off base. Just have to go through the process and do all the paperwork. And the. You get put on the waiting list and once we hit 96% capacity you can move out. Ft meade is cool like that I guess.

Fort meade is just one sliver of where you could go though. Where I am at (a magical place where alot of CTs can end up -_- lol) its after 6 months with no failed room inspections and basic quals are done you can route a chit to move off post. I am soooooo close! Well just hit 6 months but now I have to knock out a new qual first. Ft Meade life isnt bad but Ga life is pretty awesome too.

Do you like it better than the mothership? After I work at A school, where should I request to be stationed on my dream sheet and why, if I get one?

I've personally only been here. I love it though. A lot to do and our liberty radius is pretty large. My CTN friends had zero choice in where they wanted to go but I'm sure they still put in a dream sheet. It could be like mine (CTI) was. I didnt do a dream sheet based on location but on shore sea or air rotation. Got what I wanted so it worked out. At least your school isnt super long so you'll find out pretty quickly (typically a few weeks before you graduate)!

I know, Im from the Nortb East (Less than300 miles from Mede) so I'd be cool being there.

Its where I wanted too. 3 hours from home..... but noooooo lol I got ga. Which still isnt bad since its only like 6 but still. Just keep with the navy motto though of hope for the best and expect the worst! :)

Yeah we'll see. I'm hoping I get good enough grades for the ION corse.

Updated.