Ask A Spook! Cryptologic Questions

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by Jgraham0517

are the common places being stationed still san Antonio, Georgia, Hawaii, Norfolk and ft meade?

I can't answer that directly as it would violate OPSEC. Being this is a public forum that anyone can come read, saying what rates are going to what places, to do what things, is something you REALLY don't want to put on a public website.... Welcome to being a Spook and learning to never talk about anything specific haha What I want you to get out of that is that foreign intelligence is most likely watching these kinds of forums for specific information like that. So things like that are what I want you to keep in mind when posting something anywhere online (facebook, here, twitter, ect).

Where you get stationed just depends on your rate and where the Navy needs your specific skills at that time. As an R-brancher you're just as likely to be going to a ship anywhere in the fleet as you are to any of those places (or others).

/r
CTT1

[momtinez]

General questions..dont want to violate any rules here, but apologies if I do. I signed CTI, ship in a few months.

1. We pick our languages in bootcamp, correct? And I'm assuming this is on a score-type basis (ie if 3 people scored over 110, the highest scoring person gets to pick their language first) but I could be wrong. Does anyone know exactly how that process will work? I'm just hoping to get the language I want.

2. I know most every other rating goes to their A-school, then picks orders based on how they rank in their classes. For CTI's, since you've already got your language, is there anything to select? Or do you go to whatever NIOC regardless of grades, just based on language.

3. And I know SERE is kind of an unspoken thing, but I've aways been beyond interested in aircrew and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight or advice. Also, if you fail out or DOR of NACCS or SERE, I'm assuming you just go back to your NIOC and keep your rating?

4. I know sub duty isn't taking female volunteers right now, is anyone aware if aircrew is taking female volunteers? I've also read a lot about the military not sending females to less than friendly areas overseas, does that mean DIRSUP isn't an option? Sorry to bombard with questions...

If any of these were answered elsewhere, I genuinely apologize. I've just read this entire forum, so it is very likely I've turbo loaded my own brain lol

Thanks in advanced!!

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by momtinez

General questions..dont want to violate any rules here, but apologies if I do. I signed CTI, ship in a few months.

Originally Posted by momtinez

1. We pick our languages in bootcamp, correct? And I'm assuming this is on a score-type basis (ie if 3 people scored over 110, the highest scoring person gets to pick their language first) but I could be wrong. Does anyone know exactly how that process will work? I'm just hoping to get the language I want.

Jzhaun would be the best person for this question.

Originally Posted by momtinez

2. I know most every other rating goes to their A-school, then picks orders based on how they rank in their classes. For CTI's, since you've already got your language, is there anything to select? Or do you go to whatever NIOC regardless of grades, just based on language.

You'll get sent to whatever NIOC needs your language. I can't get into specifics, but I think you're already on the right track here.

Originally Posted by momtinez

3. And I know SERE is kind of an unspoken thing, but I've aways been beyond interested in aircrew and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight or advice. Also, if you fail out or DOR of NACCS or SERE, I'm assuming you just go back to your NIOC and keep your rating?

Talk to your instructors while you're in A-school as there might be billets open for it. I know quite a few female CTI Aircrewmen, so you definitely have a shot. You're correct that if you don't complete the Aircrew pipeline that you go back to a NIOC for your typical CTI duties.

Originally Posted by momtinez

4. I know sub duty isn't taking female volunteers right now, is anyone aware if aircrew is taking female volunteers? I've also read a lot about the military not sending females to less than friendly areas overseas, does that mean DIRSUP isn't an option? Sorry to bombard with questions...

Like I said above, Aircrew is totally open to you. You'll be flying the same missions the males do, so there isn't a difference there. Part of the reason Aircrew is volunteer only is because it's a dangerous job. Flights get shot down, taken prisoner, ect. It's happened before and will most likely happen again at some point. The Navy doesn't care what's between your legs when you're sitting in that seat, only that you can do the job and that you want to be there.

Originally Posted by momtinez

If any of these were answered elsewhere, I genuinely apologize. I've just read this entire forum, so it is very likely I've turbo loaded my own brain lol

Thanks in advanced!!

/r
CTT1

[momtinez]

Ah! Thank you so much!! Another question, cause I'm just full of them lol

I'm going in E-3, with guaranteed E-4 after 6 months, or A-school completion, whichever comes first. I will definitely be in A-school a while, so, providing everything goes well, I'll get E-4 6 months out of boot. Since I'll still have almost a year of A-school left, is it possible to advance more before finishing? I'm not entirely sure what the minimum time in is for CTI's for each rank...

And my (potentially) last for tonight, someone mentioned earlier different bonuses for completion of different languages. You can sign a bonus at MEPS just for picking CTI (promised upon completion of DLI) so is this saying that, depending on your language, there may be additional bonuses offered? I wish I could go back and quote it, but my phone isn't currently cooperating as well with this site as I'd like it to. Thank you so much!!

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by momtinez

Ah! Thank you so much!! Another question, cause I'm just full of them lol

I'm going in E-3, with guaranteed E-4 after 6 months, or A-school completion, whichever comes first. I will definitely be in A-school a while, so, providing everything goes well, I'll get E-4 6 months out of boot. Since I'll still have almost a year of A-school left, is it possible to advance more before finishing? I'm not entirely sure what the minimum time in is for CTI's for each rank...

You're not gonna pass PO3 in A-school. This used to be a thing back when I was coming up, but it was such a bad thing for someone to be a 2nd Class with ZERO experience in the Navy that they just stopped allowing it. Since DLI is separate from Corry though, things could be different though but I wouldn't bank on it. Honestly coming into the fleet as a 2nd class with no actual time in would be a HUGE detriment to your career since you'll basically have no idea what you're doing and as a 2nd Class you'll be expected to be in charge of quite a bit.

Originally Posted by momtinez

And my (potentially) last for tonight, someone mentioned earlier different bonuses for completion of different languages. You can sign a bonus at MEPS just for picking CTI (promised upon completion of DLI) so is this saying that, depending on your language, there may be additional bonuses offered? I wish I could go back and quote it, but my phone isn't currently cooperating as well with this site as I'd like it to. Thank you so much!!c

You should have whatever bonus you're going to get written into your contract. Learn this early: If it's not in writing then it doesn't exist.

/r
CTT1

[momtinez]

My dad's a retired navy officer lol I learnt from a very young age, If it isn't in writing, it isn't real. If it is in writing, it's VERY real. I got exactly what I wanted in my contract, so I'd like to consider myself pretty fortunate in those respects. I just didn't know if there were any additional anythings, but honestly, I'd be doing it all anyways with no bonus, so it's not a big deal.

The whole 3rd class 2nd class thing makes total sense, I didn't even really think about that aspect. I know there's a posting for each individual pipeline minimum time in (if not on this site, then another) I was just curious. Thank you for all your help. I'm sure I'll inevitably be bugging you with more questions shortly ��

[jzhaun]

Okay, so as far as selection of languages goes, it depends on 4 things: your dlab scores, your previous language experience (sometimes), your preference, and most importantly, what languages they have available the week you go to the cti detailer. He or she will also keep in mind stuff like wanting aircrew, because certain languages don't have slots for it.

The first time I went to see the detailer, he had all the Arabic dialects, Farsi, Russian, and Korean open. I had a score over 120 and experience with Japanese, so I got Korean. But due to an injury in boot, I wound up stuck there past the start date for my first class. The 2nd time, they had Chinese, Farsi, and Spanish open. I got Chinese.

Also, DLI is the same as Corry. You can't put on 3rd class before graduating your course and passing the DLPT.

The additional money you've heard of is probably the reenlistment bonus, which depends on your languages, but can pay pretty well. You also get language pay for any language you can get a 2/2 on the DLPT in (it isn't just for the one you study).

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by momtinez

General questions..dont want to violate any rules here, but apologies if I do. I signed CTI, ship in a few months.

1. We pick our languages in bootcamp, correct? And I'm assuming this is on a score-type basis (ie if 3 people scored over 110, the highest scoring person gets to pick their language first) but I could be wrong. Does anyone know exactly how that process will work? I'm just hoping to get the language I want.

Jzhaun would be the best person for this question.

2. I know most every other rating goes to their A-school, then picks orders based on how they rank in their classes. For CTI's, since you've already got your language, is there anything to select? Or do you go to whatever NIOC regardless of grades, just based on language.[/QUOTE] You'll get sent to whatever NIOC needs your language. I can't get into specifics, but I think you're already on the right track here.

3. And I know SERE is kind of an unspoken thing, but I've aways been beyond interested in aircrew and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight or advice. Also, if you fail out or DOR of NACCS or SERE, I'm assuming you just go back to your NIOC and keep your rating?[/QUOTE] Talk to your instructors while you're in A-school as there might be billets open for it. I know quite a few female CTI Aircrewmen, so you definitely have a shot. You're correct that if you don't complete the Aircrew pipeline that you go back to a NIOC for your typical CTI duties.

4. I know sub duty isn't taking female volunteers right now, is anyone aware if aircrew is taking female volunteers? I've also read a lot about the military not sending females to less than friendly areas overseas, does that mean DIRSUP isn't an option? Sorry to bombard with questions...[/QUOTE] Like I said above, Aircrew is totally open to you. You'll be flying the same missions the males do, so there isn't a difference there. Part of the reason Aircrew is volunteer only is because it's a dangerous job. Flights get shot down, taken prisoner, ect. It's happened before and will most likely happen again at some point. The Navy doesn't care what's between your legs when you're sitting in that seat, only that you can do the job and that you want to be there.

If any of these were answered elsewhere, I genuinely apologize. I've just read this entire forum, so it is very likely I've turbo loaded my own brain lol

Thanks in advanced!![/QUOTE]

/r
CTT1

[Haasino]

Originally Posted by momtinez

3. And I know SERE is kind of an unspoken thing, but I've aways been beyond interested in aircrew and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight or advice. Also, if you fail out or DOR of NACCS or SERE, I'm assuming you just go back to your NIOC and keep your rating?

SERE isn't that bad... okay, yeah it is... but you can't actually DOR from it (For obvious reasons, there is no such thing as a DOR or Training Time Out policy out there); once you hit the field, you're either leaving on a gurney, or you're walking out with a certificate. As far as NACCS goes, it's tougher than most Navy schools... but nowhere near SpecWar tough. Check out some of the threads in the AW subforum for specifics.

I'd definitely advocate for Aircrew... but then I'm also biased.

[momtinez]

Originally Posted by Haasino

I'd definitely advocate for Aircrew... but then I'm also biased.

I honestly wanted to be an air(wo)man so ungodly bad, but the opportunities with CTI were too much for me to pass up. I've read through all the AW threads numerous times though, including every single one of your posts lol and at least CT gives me the opportunity to do both. Id like to become an officer eventually and the plans (unless Intel really speaks to me) was initially NFO or pilot. So I'd have to do all the aircrew stuff anyways. I qualified for everything in MEPS, so that's always good. Can't wait until I can figure all this out and get the ball rolling. Just gotta wait until my ship date...

[Brandon7310]

I Just finished with MEPS and picked CTT with a 6 year contract, I was wondering how long I can expect school to be? i have been trying to read up online... but I get mostly mixed answers so any help would be greatly appreciated

My second question would be would i spend most of my time on a ship or am i able to get just as much shore time?

i ship on 20150601 to RTC.

[momtinez]

Originally Posted by Brandon7310

I Just finished with MEPS and picked CTT with a 6 year contract, I was wondering how long I can expect school to be? i have been trying to read up online... but I get mostly mixed answers so any help would be greatly appreciated

image.jpg

Hope that helped

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by Brandon7310

I Just finished with MEPS and picked CTT with a 6 year contract, I was wondering how long I can expect school to be? i have been trying to read up online... but I get mostly mixed answers so any help would be greatly appreciated

My second question would be would i spend most of my time on a ship or am i able to get just as much shore time?

i ship on 20150601 to RTC.

So as a 6 year you're going to be a technician (vs being an operator). Don't read into that too much; that just means you're in school longer to be trained on repairing the equipment. You still get to operate just as much as the rest of us.

Expect about a year and some change of time in Pensacola.

You'll definitely be on a ship your first tour. The average working day in port (when you're not on duty) is about 0700-1600. Underway, your work day will be 0700-1600 plus whatever hours you're standing watch. So you'll get plenty of time ashore, don't worry.

/r
CTT1

[FlyNavy]

If you have specific questions just let me know. I'm actually working today so I just don't have a ton of time to get really into detail. I can touch base this week though!

/r
CTT1

[Brandon7310]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

So as a 6 year you're going to be a technician (vs being an operator). Don't read into that too much; that just means you're in school longer to be trained on repairing the equipment. You still get to operate just as much as the rest of us.

Expect about a year and some change of time in Pensacola.

You'll definitely be on a ship your first tour. The average working day in port (when you're not on duty) is about 0700-1600. Underway, your work day will be 0700-1600 plus whatever hours you're standing watch. So you'll get plenty of time ashore, don't worry.

/r
CTT1

thanks a ton i really appreciate the response, if i can think of any questions i will definitely message you with them.