More CTN Reserve Questions

[hustini]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Not reallllly for N-branchers. But don't sweat that, you're going to get sent to all kinds of training anyway. Most of those classes aren't formal Navy schools though, hence why you don't get a C-school. You'll typically get TDY (Temporary Duty) orders to a different things they need to send you for based on what you're doing.

Not all CTNs do the same things; in some cases they can be dramatically different. So before they send you to any extra schools they need to see where you're gonna land at you duty station first. Once you get there you'll understand why that's the case.

Couldn't remember if you were a reservist or not. That would change things a bit, since you would have to push your command to go do some schools, probably during your AT. But that doesn't mean you can't do them; you still totally can. We qualified reservists on different things all the time.

/r
CTT1

I'm also a Reservist CTN and ship out in September. I checked my contract and its as he said, C' School is optional/may be required but not actually official like A' School is.

I really hope I can opt into further training as often as I can but I'm not entirely sure how that works: If I wish to get specific training, what may or may not prevent me from getting that additional training that is relevant to CTN as a reservist?

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by hustini

I'm also a Reservist CTN and ship out in September. I checked my contract and its as he said, C' School is optional/may be required but not actually official like A' School is.

I really hope I can opt into further training as often as I can but I'm not entirely sure how that works: If I wish to get specific training, what may or may not prevent me from getting that additional training that is relevant to CTN as a reservist?

There really aren't a slew of C-schools to send you guys too. Honestly most of your training is through other organizations. You really don't need to be stressing not having a C-school; in your rate it doesn't mean nearly as much as it would to say an engineer or something.

Really as a reservist it just comes down to what your unit's budget for AT is. Be persistent with you CoC about getting training and eventually you'll get to go. Just depends on money and timing mostly.

/r
CTT1

[hustini]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

There really aren't a slew of C-schools to send you guys too. Honestly most of your training is through other organizations. You really don't need to be stressing not having a C-school; in your rate it doesn't mean nearly as much as it would to say an engineer or something.

Really as a reservist it just comes down to what your unit's budget for AT is. Be persistent with you CoC about getting training and eventually you'll get to go. Just depends on money and timing mostly.

/r
CTT1

I'm going to be at Andrews AFB right outside of DC. I think I'm in a prime spot, at least I hope so and that is one of my motivating factors. In other words, I'm in the perfect spot to be doing what I want to be doing and I hope that's the case.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by hustini

I'm going to be at Andrews AFB right outside of DC. I think I'm in a prime spot, at least I hope so and that is one of my motivating factors. In other words, I'm in the perfect spot to be doing what I want to be doing and I hope that's the case.

Definitely a lot of opportunities up there being so close to the Mothership! A lot of things I saw came up were opportunities in that area. Shouldn't be too hard to find if your patient and pounce on them.

/r
CTT1

[Jdubbs]

Originally Posted by hustini

I'm also a Reservist CTN and ship out in September. I checked my contract and its as he said, C' School is optional/may be required but not actually official like A' School is.

I really hope I can opt into further training as often as I can but I'm not entirely sure how that works: If I wish to get specific training, what may or may not prevent me from getting that additional training that is relevant to CTN as a reservist?

So a lot of the issue as a reservist is that when you first come into your NOSC you're IAP (what that actually stands for evades me right now) But it essentially means you aren't attached to any billets. Meaning the NOSC you drill at is also your command. So if you're like me who initially got sent to a NOSC without any CTNs in it previously they have nothing for you to do. So you apply for billets in the CTN field and you hope you get picked up. Most CTN billets are for E4 and up and you can go on up and one down.

Once you get picked up in a CTN billet (if you get picked up) then you have a chance to do CTN things.

When you get to Corry all the CT reservists will get pulled out of indoc to have a meeting with a CTTCS he may be master chief by now that will tell you that if you aren't doing your job in the reserves to contact him.. He will give you his card. KEEP IT!!! I had to call him multiple times before my billet started sending me somewhere to actually be able to do my job !


CTN3 Harris

[hustini]

Originally Posted by Jdubbs

So a lot of the issue as a reservist is that when you first come into your NOSC you're IAP (what that actually stands for evades me right now) But it essentially means you aren't attached to any billets. Meaning the NOSC you drill at is also your command. So if you're like me who initially got sent to a NOSC without any CTNs in it previously they have nothing for you to do. So you apply for billets in the CTN field and you hope you get picked up. Most CTN billets are for E4 and up and you can go on up and one down.

Once you get picked up in a CTN billet (if you get picked up) then you have a chance to do CTN things.

When you get to Corry all the CT reservists will get pulled out of indoc to have a meeting with a CTTCS he may be master chief by now that will tell you that if you aren't doing your job in the reserves to contact him.. He will give you his card. KEEP IT!!! I had to call him multiple times before my billet started sending me somewhere to actually be able to do my job !


CTN3 Harris

Interesting.

I know a guy that works at a 3 letter agency that knows the Detailer for all Navy CTN's. He is going to try and arrange a meeting/connection between himself and me so hopefully that works out and I can start doing some networking ahead of time. I don't like the sound of not having something lined up by the time I'm finished with A school.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by hustini

Interesting.

I know a guy that works at a 3 letter agency that knows the Detailer for all Navy CTN's. He is going to try and arrange a meeting/connection between himself and me so hopefully that works out and I can start doing some networking ahead of time. I don't like the sound of not having something lined up by the time I'm finished with A school.

There's more than one person at NPC doing CTN detailing lol Also talking to your detailer isn't a huge thing; they have their desk phone numbers posted on the NPC site and their direct emails are in the GAL. It's pretty easy to get in touch with them if you need to.

However, it's considered very unorthodox and borderline unprofessional for a first tour sailor to be circumventing the process and trying to have something "lined up". There is only a handful of spots you're even eligible for as a 1st tour sailor anyway, so the hook-up value there is pretty low to begin with. If they need your input then they will ask for it in most cases.

Just some words of wisdom. I would tread lightly there as a screw up in front of the wrong people in the wrong places can follow you for years to come.

/r
CTT1

PS: CTN3 pretty much summed up the process. Your CoC should be helping you out with the billet application process though. It's easier than it seems and there's ways to work the system if need be.

[hustini]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

There's more than one person at NPC doing CTN detailing lol Also talking to your detailer isn't a huge thing; they have their desk phone numbers posted on the NPC site and their direct emails are in the GAL. It's pretty easy to get in touch with them if you need to.

However, it's considered very unorthodox and borderline unprofessional for a first tour sailor to be circumventing the process and trying to have something "lined up". There is only a handful of spots you're even eligible for as a 1st tour sailor anyway, so the hook-up value there is pretty low to begin with. If they need your input then they will ask for it in most cases.

Just some words of wisdom. I would tread lightly there as a screw up in front of the wrong people in the wrong places can follow you for years to come.

/r
CTT1

PS: CTN3 pretty much summed up the process. Your CoC should be helping you out with the billet application process though. It's easier than it seems and there's ways to work the system if need be.

The point of meeting the detailer wasn't to "line" anything up from that point of view, its more to see what kinds of opportunities a Reserve CTN might have in the years to come, especially a new one plus answer any questions I might have.

I didn't elaborate clearly. Since I'm a Reserve, I do want something lined up be it military side or civilian side, I won't be picky but not being active duty I don't want to risk not having something full time when I'm done with training. I'm still learning how this works and I have a decent network pool to tap into in the DC/NOVA area to connect me with people for advice, not necessarily jobs.

A couple Reserve people (not CTNs ) I've spoken too, (also my recruiter) all claim I can begin applying to civilian jobs when I'm in A school since the process takes time and I can say I finally have a clearance, etc. That's why I want to have a chat with a detailer to see what options someone like me could potentially have. I don't like the idea of waiting until the end of A school to get my ducks in a row. That's just not me.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by hustini

The point of meeting the detailer wasn't to "line" anything up from that point of view, its more to see what kinds of opportunities a Reserve CTN might have in the years to come, especially a new one plus answer any questions I might have.

I didn't elaborate clearly. Since I'm a Reserve, I do want something lined up be it military side or civilian side, I won't be picky but not being active duty I don't want to risk not having something full time when I'm done with training. I'm still learning how this works and I have a decent network pool to tap into in the DC/NOVA area to connect me with people for advice, not necessarily jobs.

A couple Reserve people (not CTNs ) I've spoken too, (also my recruiter) all claim I can begin applying to civilian jobs when I'm in A school since the process takes time and I can say I finally have a clearance, etc. That's why I want to have a chat with a detailer to see what options someone like me could potentially have. I don't like the idea of waiting until the end of A school to get my ducks in a row. That's just not me.

From reading this it sounds like you think a detailer can get you a job outside the Navy? If so that would be incorrect, aside from maybe a reference (which you could get from anyone). If you want to look at job options for your civi job I would be talking to folks at your eventual command. You should have a rough idea of where you'll be ended up anyway, so if it were me I would be contacting them for a sponsor and then leveraging folks at the command for job tips. Most of the folks in your unit (NIOC) will most likely have come from the active duty side there anyway and a solid handful will very likely work there as civilians still. They should have a plethora of contacts for doing cleared work in the area.

Also as a reservist you're not going to be dealing with a detailer in the same way active duty folks will. So keep that in mind.

/r
CTT1

[hustini]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

From reading this it sounds like you think a detailer can get you a job outside the Navy? If so that would be incorrect, aside from maybe a reference (which you could get from anyone). If you want to look at job options for your civi job I would be talking to folks at your eventual command. You should have a rough idea of where you'll be ended up anyway, so if it were me I would be contacting them for a sponsor and then leveraging folks at the command for job tips. Most of the folks in your unit (NIOC) will most likely have come from the active duty side there anyway and a solid handful will very likely work there as civilians still. They should have a plethora of contacts for doing cleared work in the area.

Also as a reservist you're not going to be dealing with a detailer in the same way active duty folks will. So keep that in mind.

/r
CTT1

I wasn't expecting to a detailer to help me get a civilian job :D

I wanted to talk to one simply to get an understanding of what a Reserve CTN's early career path might look like or how to make myself more competitive for when I'm able to start applying for different roles (and how long that path might take). Of course I'm not naive enough to think "getting in" with a detailer is what I'm trying to do. I literally have not IT/military background so its entirely new for me so a couple nice contacts to chat with over coffee is all I'm looking for

I know I'll be at Andrews AFB but haven't met anyone in my Unit yet. My recruiter is supposed to try and connecting me with fellow CTN's so hopefully he keeps true to his word on that.

Interesting on the last sentence, can you elaborate why that might be different? Thanks!

[Jdubbs]

Originally Posted by hustini

The point of meeting the detailer wasn't to "line" anything up from that point of view, its more to see what kinds of opportunities a Reserve CTN might have in the years to come, especially a new one plus answer any questions I might have.

I didn't elaborate clearly. Since I'm a Reserve, I do want something lined up be it military side or civilian side, I won't be picky but not being active duty I don't want to risk not having something full time when I'm done with training. I'm still learning how this works and I have a decent network pool to tap into in the DC/NOVA area to connect me with people for advice, not necessarily jobs.

A couple Reserve people (not CTNs ) I've spoken too, (also my recruiter) all claim I can begin applying to civilian jobs when I'm in A school since the process takes time and I can say I finally have a clearance, etc. That's why I want to have a chat with a detailer to see what options someone like me could potentially have. I don't like the idea of waiting until the end of A school to get my ducks in a row. That's just not me.

So towards the end of JCAC alot of your networking youll be able to do is with the instructors. Who are all ex military civilians working through contractors. If you show an extra aptitude in the course they are teaching.. or show extra interest in them.. you may get lined up with a meeting with one of the contracting companies that teach JCAC. I know all the reservists in my class all got jobs right out of JCAC working with those same contract companies. But wait till you get further on in the mods before you start trying to do that... there is more than a solid chance you will gt rolled back at least once. In a class of 18 only 8 finished in my class

[Barbazu]

CTT1, they rerated me to Personnel Specialist. I was really hoping for another intelligence rate, but those rates are packed right now. We have a ton of sailors here in holding awaiting orders. So, I wasn't too surprised when they offered me rates outside of intelligence. I took PS because I felt it best fit my skill set. Not exactly what I wanted, but it is what it is. I'm a reservist anyway. No matter what I picked I get to go home. I've been away from my family for almost 4 months, and frankly, I'm ready to see my wife and kids again. In two years I'll probably try to cross-rate into IS or possibly CTR if it's not overmanned by then. My roommate is CTR and it really seems like a badass rate. And, obviously, a little easier to get through than JCAC.

For those considering JCAC, don't let my experience scare you away. CTN is an amazing rate, and they do some really cool stuff. Just be ready to buckle down and work hard. It is doable. But I will say, don't expect to have a life outside of JCAC. That stuff drains the life out of you. Haha!