New CTM aboard!

[KaLinux]

Hello CTT1,

I have a little bit of a unique situation. I am a prior enlisted AE3 that HYT out of the Navy back in 2013. Right before I got out, I retook the ASVAB and my line scores (246) qualified me for the rate that I wanted (CTN). Now, I am attempting to enlist into the reserves as a CTN3 (550% overmanned, as of now). I have been playing the waiting game for CTN3 to open up. I have the options of going SELRES through either the PRISE-R program or DPEP. Most people don't know what DPEP is. Depending on the deciding authority, I'd be able to go into the reserves as a CTN3 or an IT3 solely base off of work experience, certifications, and college credits that apply directly to CT operator work.

I know that you may be partial to CT ratings but chances are, I might not get CTN3 because it's CREO3. Would it be worth the extra wait to get CTN? The reason behind me HYTing out was due to the fact that I kept getting overmanned rates. PS (AD)>AE (FTS). Also, if by some miracle I do have a chance at CTN, would I get disqualified due to the fact that I was very briefly married to a Jamaican girl who isn't a citizen? This wasn't a deep situation. Just young and really, really dumb. Mind you, this was 8 years ago.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by KaLinux

Hello CTT1,

I have a little bit of a unique situation. I am a prior enlisted AE3 that HYT out of the Navy back in 2013. Right before I got out, I retook the ASVAB and my line scores (246) qualified me for the rate that I wanted (CTN). Now, I am attempting to enlist into the reserves as a CTN3 (550% overmanned, as of now). I have been playing the waiting game for CTN3 to open up. I have the options of going SELRES through either the PRISE-R program or DPEP. Most people don't know what DPEP is. Depending on the deciding authority, I'd be able to go into the reserves as a CTN3 or an IT3 solely base off of work experience, certifications, and college credits that apply directly to CT operator work.

I know that you may be partial to CT ratings but chances are, I might not get CTN3 because it's CREO3. Would it be worth the extra wait to get CTN? The reason behind me HYTing out was due to the fact that I kept getting overmanned rates. PS (AD)>AE (FTS). Also, if by some miracle I do have a chance at CTN, would I get disqualified due to the fact that I was very briefly married to a Jamaican girl who isn't a citizen? This wasn't a deep situation. Just young and really, really dumb. Mind you, this was 8 years ago.

Hey shipmate, thanks for reaching out!

First off, cleaver user name ;) I see you there haha

So on the CTN/IT side of things, have you contacted the SELRES community managers yet? There's two sides to the story: what the paperwork says and what the situation actually is in the force. Seeing as CTN2 and IT2 are both CREO 1, I would expect room to open up below that as most of those guys should move up at some point. A good place to inquire would be the SELRES community managers for those rates. Their entire job is to help manage these things and usually they are very approachable and willing to answer questions. The contact number for Technical Advisor (TECHAD/Community Managers) is (901) 874-4338. Give them a call and they can put you in contact with the CTN and IT TECHADs respectively.

I don't see the Jamaican girl being a huge issue in your investigation process. It's almost out of scope anyway (TS goes back 10 years) and it sounds like you didn't keep contact. The investigators will look at you as a whole, not just one part about your past, when deciding to grant clearance or not.

Let me know if you need some further support or clarification!!

/r
CTT1

[KaLinux]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Hey shipmate, thanks for reaching out!

First off, cleaver user name ;) I see you there haha

So on the CTN/IT side of things, have you contacted the SELRES community managers yet? There's two sides to the story: what the paperwork says and what the situation actually is in the force. Seeing as CTN2 and IT2 are both CREO 1, I would expect room to open up below that as most of those guys should move up at some point. A good place to inquire would be the SELRES community managers for those rates. Their entire job is to help manage these things and usually they are very approachable and willing to answer questions. The contact number for Technical Advisor (TECHAD/Community Managers) is (901) 874-4338. Give them a call and they can put you in contact with the CTN and IT TECHADs respectively.

I don't see the Jamaican girl being a huge issue in your investigation process. It's almost out of scope anyway (TS goes back 10 years) and it sounds like you didn't keep contact. The investigators will look at you as a whole, not just one part about your past, when deciding to grant clearance or not.

Let me know if you need some further support or clarification!!

/r
CTT1

CTT1,

You are the bomb! I have been stressing out about this subject for the past 2 years. I am glad to have you there for assistance. If I could write you up a NAM or at least a MOVSM for this, I most certainly would lol. I will contact the Community Managers. I haven't spoken to them since 2013. Hopefully they will have good news for me because all I've been looking at is what was on paper and bouncing it off of what the recruiters has been telling me. Honestly though, if you could see how many tabs I have up on CTN, NECs, ONET, NavyCool, NAVADMINS...it's craziness. In all honesty, CTN is what I want to do with my life. I've finished about 3/4 of my BS from Drexel and I am IAT II. JCAC would be exhilarating for me because most of what may be taught there, I've already learned or do for work. All I can say now is "Wish Me Luck." I'll keep you updated as to my situation.

Oh and thanks for noticing my username lol. Just a nod, and to let them know that I am about this life lol

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by KaLinux

CTT1,

You are the bomb! I have been stressing out about this subject for the past 2 years. I am glad to have you there for assistance. If I could write you up a NAM or at least a MOVSM for this, I most certainly would lol. I will contact the Community Managers. I haven't spoken to them since 2013. Hopefully they will have good news for me because all I've been looking at is what was on paper and bouncing it off of what the recruiters has been telling me. Honestly though, if you could see how many tabs I have up on CTN, NECs, ONET, NavyCool, NAVADMINS...it's craziness. In all honesty, CTN is what I want to do with my life. I've finished about 3/4 of my BS from Drexel and I am IAT II. JCAC would be exhilarating for me because most of what may be taught there, I've already learned or do for work. All I can say now is "Wish Me Luck." I'll keep you updated as to my situation.

Just a heads up about recruiters, they typically know exactly jack shit about CT rates. So nod your head when they talk about CT stuff, but verify it afterwards to be sure. Also, GET ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS. Chances are they don't deal with guys like you often and that lack of familiarity can get things screwed up when they just wing it. Go find the instructions, learn them, and keep them handy for when issues come up.

Originally Posted by KaLinux

Just a nod, and to let them know that I am about this life lol

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/57935966.jpg

/r
CTT1

[KaLinux]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Just a heads up about recruiters, they typically know exactly jack shit about CT rates. So nod your head when they talk about CT stuff, but verify it afterwards to be sure. Also, GET ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS. Chances are they don't deal with guys like you often and that lack of familiarity can get things screwed up when they just wing it. Go find the instructions, learn them, and keep them handy for when issues come up.




http://cdn.meme.am/instances/57935966.jpg

/r
CTT1

Well, I spoke to the ECM and I'd have to wait until FY18 to have a shot lol. The ECM was quite rude. I mean, inexplicably rude. My questions were all about manning and the likely trend of CTN3 becoming CREO2 again. She went off several times about me talking to a recruiter and how she wasn't a recruiter. I had to calmly tell her that I know more than the recruiters and I'm not asking a recruiting question and that I was asking about manning. After snapping, she answered my question. She said that I could take a reduction in paygrade to come in as an E-3 but that would hurt me for promotion because the automatic E-4 out of A school would not apply to me as I am prior service. I would take a RIR but since I HYT out, I would hit the reserves HYT for E-3. So, as I see it, my options would be to aim for DPEP to CTN2 or DPEP to IT, CTT, or IS. I want CTN bad though. The only thing is I only have 2yrs of work experience for CTN vs the 4yrs that is required. I would have to talk to whoever makes the deciding factor on whether or not the experience/certifications/schooling that I have is enough for E-5 in the reserves. Hopefully certifications can knock some of that time off because I'm working towards CCNA R/S and Sec right now.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by KaLinux

Well, I spoke to the ECM and I'd have to wait until FY18 to have a shot lol. The ECM was quite rude. I mean, inexplicably rude. My questions were all about manning and the likely trend of CTN3 becoming CREO2 again. She went off several times about me talking to a recruiter and how she wasn't a recruiter. I had to calmly tell her that I know more than the recruiters and I'm not asking a recruiting question and that I was asking about manning. After snapping, she answered my question. She said that I could take a reduction in paygrade to come in as an E-3 but that would hurt me for promotion because the automatic E-4 out of A school would not apply to me as I am prior service. I would take a RIR but since I HYT out, I would hit the reserves HYT for E-3. So, as I see it, my options would be to aim for DPEP to CTN2 or DPEP to IT, CTT, or IS. I want CTN bad though. The only thing is I only have 2yrs of work experience for CTN vs the 4yrs that is required. I would have to talk to whoever makes the deciding factor on whether or not the experience/certifications/schooling that I have is enough for E-5 in the reserves. Hopefully certifications can knock some of that time off because I'm working towards CCNA R/S and Sec right now.

I'm sorry to hear the ECM gave you a hard time, that's definitely not the norm from what I've experienced.

The reduction in rate bit is pretty common for priors coming back, but with the IDCRC (Reserve CTs) making a push into cyber, I can't imagine it would be difficult making rank again. It's not as hard to stand out in a reserve unit if your prior active and have some motivation.

On the rate aspect, especially in the reserves, CTs cross pollinate quite a bit. Especially CTRs in terms of cyber/non-cyber work; they can go between easily. Currently for our cyber reservists we have a handful of CTTs, a couple CTRs, and a CTNSN. So just getting your foot in the door as a CT in the reserves can open that door up for you, and having that background will make you a strong candidate to fill that position.

It sounds like you're more concerned with just being able to serve in that role rather than the rank and recognition aspect, so if that's the case I would say just push for the soonest available spot to get into the IDCRC. Once you're in, there's also the possibility of an RC-to-RC rate conversion. Which wanting to go into cyber and being qualified, shouldn't be a huge issue as a CT.

/r
CTT1

[FlyNavy]

I just want to put this out there for the Deppers though.


The ECM is not somebody you need to be contacting. They're there for currently serving personnel or if there's some kind of problem that isn't getting worked out via the chain of command. They're not there to help deppers because there's nothing they can do for you with you not even being in the Navy yet.

So DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT contact the ECM as a depper.

Just some procedural advice in case anyone gets confused. I'd hate for someone to piss off their rate's senior enlisted sailor before they even get into the rate.

/r
CTT1

[KaLinux]

CTT1,

Just spoke to a recruiter today and was told that there are 44 reservations for CTN (reserves). No reservations for the PRISE-R program though. Meaning, I can utilize the DPEP and have CTN school tailored to what I have little to no experience in (i.e. programming) and bypass what I do have experience in. Best of all, I'll be able to take the exam for CTN2 prior to going to school. <<I thought that was weird but it's what normally happens. If all goes well, I'll be drilling down in Maryland. My only concern now is the clearance aspect. I was unemployed for a month and got behind in rent for the first time ever. I'm working on knocking out my debt (which isn't large) right now. Hopefully that doesn't hurt me.