That's what they pay me the big bucks for :What:

Hey now, that's my line!!

V/r
CTT1

What degree would you recommend to compliment a CTR to better himself for a civilian job?

It depends on what you want to do as a civillian. If you want to stay within that CTR type of role, then you're going to be looking pretty much at federal work. So specializing in any kind of electronics (understand further how comms equipment works) or even going into networking or computer engineering would be a big plus. The biggest plus for you though will be having a clearance already and having intelligence experience. The degree will just be a formality mostly unless you plan on doing something super specific.

If you're going to do something else then really all you need is something oriented to your new field.

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CTT1

How often do you get requests to leave the navy to join a civilian job. My recruiter talks about head hunters that go after people in the navy that have security clearances and different types of qualifications like they are a monthly thing.

It depends where you work. If you're at a shore site that you're constantly surrounded by civilian contractors, then its fairly common as you come up on the end of your contract. Since these are the guys you've been working with anyway, it makes sense for those companies to do that rather than hire and train someone new.

If you're on a ship or at a squadron, then typically you will need to go looking for them, as you have less civilian exposure.

There are plenty of places online to put your resume though if you're looking for a job that requires clearance. Those are great places to look as well as just using your own network of contacts that you'll pick up.

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CTT1

Are the salaries they offer competitive?

Contractor jobs pay pretty well depending on what you're doing. Don't expect something ridiculous like 6 figures to start off or anything. But having military experience and a clearance, then going contractor, and working your way up (like a normal civilian company) can end up paying quite a bit after a few years on the job. It only goes up the longer you stay and the more experience and qualifications you have.

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CTT1

Hi ctt1.. My daughter got in trouble the other day at a meeting for using the term spook. . Kinda strange because everyone uses it? ?? She's leaving in 27 days. I'm freaking out. Should I go to Chicago for graduation. .I don't know how to plan to see her. . Hawaii is so far away. It's not easy or cheap to make lady minute plans. . Do they tell her things ahead of time enough for me to plan. Thanks again, jody 13

Is it easy or hard to make rate in the CTR field? In theory, if people are constantly getting contractor jobs, wouldn't that make it easier because it frees up spots? Or does it just not work out like that?

Graduation is pretty great. But you may get to spend more time with her if you go visit at her A-School for a long weekend. I'd leave that one up to her; would she rather you see her graduate (in person, there is a live-stream online) and spend a couple hours with you or spend a couple days with you a couple weeks later?

gonna quote that in case you missed it since there was another page made.


But I also have another question. If I volunteer for sub duty, will that help my 'resume' when trying to make rate? Especially chief and above? Or when it comes down to it does it not really matter. I really don't want to be in a sub, but i'll do what ever it takes.


And I know a lot of my questions so far have been the best way to get rated higher, and I shouldn't be worrying to much about it. But my main goal is to become a Warrant Officer. And my recruiter has a little plaque that says a goal without a plan is just a wish. So I'm trying to get a feel of what I NEED to do to help me achieve this. A Warrant Officer may be tough to get, so I'm even happy with just chief. But I still want to try for that Warrant Officer.

My RDC was a CTICS(SW/SG). Basically, the SG is a sub warfare pin, but instead of the usual SS pin (dolphins), the SG pin means that you're "Qualified in submarines; not detailed by the submarine community."

I don't know a whole lot about it, but it's something worth looking into.

Hi Guppy. .its a little far to go to graduation from Hawaii but I wouldn't want to miss it. Also we have family near Pensacola. . That's where she goes for school. So I will definately see her there too...I guess the question is does she get information on dates in a timely manner so I can plan and make air plane ticketsfor grad and time off after a school. . Thanks, jody13

Jody,
I'm not really sure I see the issue in using that term. Although he might be getting after her since she hasn't actually earned the title yet. That I could see. As far as graduation, it's something you should try to make it there for. It's great seeing family after boot camp and you'll get to spend some time with her before she heads off to Pensacola. I highly recommend making the trip if you're able.

Not everybody leaves for contractor jobs. The Navy over the last few years has been seeing record high retention numbers. That being said though, making rate as a CT is typically easier than most other rates. You'll get PO3 pretty fast, but PO2 and PO1 both are going to require some work and a few years. But overall we CT types rank up faster that most.

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CTT1

Sorry for being late on the response folks! Busy week so far...

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CTT1

Training moment here...
Don't ever let anyone here you say "just Chief". Earning your Anchors is a HUGE milestone in a Sailors career and the Chiefs mess is one of the tightest knit groups in the military. You'll understand more once you're in for a bit, but being a Chief in the Navy is VASTLY different than being an E-7 in the other services. Trust me, I work with other services all the time and it's not even comparable.

That being said, I applaud you for having a plan for your goals! Just keep in mind that making Warrant is something that could take 10+ years. So buckle down for the long haul. It's great that you're already looking ahead though!

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CTT1

Thanks again Griffin. Always have some wise words to say. But yea unless someone can offer me a job that has great pay and is reliable, then I probably will stay Navy for the 20 years. From what I heard you have to have 14 years in the Navy and be Chief before you can even start thinking about WO.

Once you make Chief you can start applying for WO. The 14 year thing isn't a requirement. You just have to be a Chief to start the process.

Becoming a CPO is a pretty big hurdle in it's own right though. It's much more difficult than making Petty Officer.

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CTT1

How much traveling is done by CTR's usually? Do they have more shore duties then othe sailors? Over seas or states side? Out on deployments more or less then the average sailor?



Edit: Also, would a computer science degree possibly a good degree to have later on?

CTRs travel just as much as any other rate really. If you're on a ship then you're going everywhere the ship goes, just like everyone else. No matter where you go you're going to be part of a unit. So you're going to be doing everything else that they're doing, when they're doing it. If the ship is getting underway for a week, you're getting underway for a week. Catch my drift?

Sea/Shore rotation is typically 4yrs sea duty/3yrs shore. Although that changes after you've been in for a while (years down the road), just wrap your head around going to a sea command (aka a deployable command) for your first tour. In rare cases some Sailors are assigned shore duty right off the bat, but this is the exception and not the standard.

CS is a great degree to have if you're going into a technical field!

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CTT1

Hey CTT1(SW)Griffin,

I've heard a few different things about CTI's and getting stationed. I've heard that they don't go by the typical sea/shore duty, but CONUS/OCONUS duty. If you could, would you be able to elaborate a little more on that?

Thanks

CTIs are heavily shore based. You can get direct support jobs to go out and support deployed assets overseas, but for the most part they work out of NIOCs that are state side. The further along you get in your career and the more experience you have though, the more different opportunities for unique jobs or travel will come your way.

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CTT1

Usually how long does it take to class up for CTR? And on average what is the class size?

Classing up depends on how long it takes you to badge up (get clearance finalized and get INDOC'd for your security badge), as well as how many people are waiting for the class before you get there. It could be anywhere from a month to 3 months. It really just depends on the sailor and when you get there.

I wont discuss specifics about how many people work in the SCIF (students included) but the class size is average. It's enough to where if you need personal help you'll be able to get it.

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CTT1

Well shit. i thought i would be there a couple weeks at most before class started. What do we do until class starts?

You gotta keep in mind that there is only 1 CTR A-school... For everyone... In the entire DoD... haha So that's why sometimes it can take a bit. Also, your TS investigation sometimes hits a snag and that can delay it too.

While you're waiting to class/badge up, you'll be in whats called "Holding". It's a pretty large group of people all either waiting for class (all CT rates are there) or people waiting to leave after they've finished school. In holding you're given a job around base either cleaning up, maintaining something, running paperwork, ect. Basically you just help the base function while you're awaiting class. It's super easy so don't worry too much about it.

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CTT1

Bumped for questions

CTN
 

I'm hoping to get ctn, but I'm wondering about duty stations. How common is it for a ctn to get Hawaii? I would love to live there again. Also do you know if ctns get to do any programming? I have the majority of a cs degree finished and would like to keep improving my coding skills!:chicken:

Soooo, CTT1...are y'all looking for cross raters? In a year and a half, say? >_>

Right now the rates extremely full; last I checked we weren't taking convert-ins. Although it's the Navy, and who knows what it'll be next month or even tomorrow. Your best bet would be checking into it when you're ready to make a move. Since we are at the peak now it would make sense that in a year or so there could be some room as we shave off some numbers over the next FY or 2.

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CTT1

Hey new to the forum, quick questions, I was extremely interested on becoming a CTI I already know Spanish pretty fluently and French at a beginner level, but I was also along the lines of CTT because I hear it's an excellent career choice. I was mostly wondering what type of algebra would be necessary to know in order to become one of the two, and any ways to study up before hand. Thanks in advance.

Knowing Spanish and a little bit of French is good and will help you out a lot. To qualify to become a CTI you need to score a 110 on the DLAB, (I think that's what it's at now, but don't quote me on the number), and you take that at MEPS as a separate test after the ASVAB.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-np...Pages/CTI.aspx

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-np...Pages/CTT.aspx

This site has the qualifications and scores for the ASVAB for becoming a CTI and a CTT. It's mostly just basic math that you learned in high school, nothing too hard.


Hope this helps

Like the post above me states, having some language skills beforehand is a definite plus. The only algebra you're going to need is for the ASVAB though, so don't stress to much about that.

The best thing you can do at this point is study up for the ASVAB (there are a TON of books out there to help). As far as I'm aware there really isn't a way to study for the DLAB. So just get solid on the basics and you'll be on a good path!

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CTT1

Thanks isf215 and CTT1(sw)Griffin. Appreciate the responses.
Now just time to condition to score big on the pft.

Anytime!

I would focus more on the ASVAB right now than your PRT. Your PRT isn't an issue until your're actually AT boot camp (just as long as you're in BF standards), while the ASVAB is going to determine what you're even eligible for.

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CTT1

Of the different brances of CTs, which branch has more people? Which one has the least?

Not sure which branch has the most, but M-branchers have by far the least.

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CTT1

Good afternoon CTT1,

I just had a few general questions since you've had plenty of experience working alongside other CT ratings:

What could a typical first enlistment look like for a CTI? What are the potential duty stations right out of the DLI?

Also, I have researched that most special assignments for CT's such as aircrew, sub duty, and special operations are more 2nd tour type duties (not right out of the DLI), is this correct? I've just heard that during your first enlistment you're more than likely going to be at a NIOC with a desk job...or a mop...

Thank you in advance petty officer

Classified,

I'm out of town for the next few days. I'll get everything to you as soon as I'm back!