Ask A Spook! Cryptologic Questions

[Cobblestone]

What areas do CTI's usually get stationed at? Is it usually sea duty or shore duty mostly? How do deployments work for them? Do CTI's learn their language fluently for the most part? I'm currently in DEP for AECF, but have thought about taking the DLAB to try for CTI, so I appreciate any help!

[jzhaun]

CTIs generally get stationed at NIOCs - Georgia, Maryland, Texas, or Hawaii depending on the language. We aren't stationed on ships, but can travel on them as direct support and can also become aircrew.

I can watch a Chinese tv show or read the news and understand 85% of what they say, but there are a lot of gaps in my knowledge.

[Cobblestone]

Thanks!! If there are holds during the initial school for CTI, is it possible to take college classes to work towards a bachelors? (I already have an associates) For the SSBI, what do they do? My understanding is that they talk to a bunch of people you have known and not all of them are people you put down on the background investigation. I wasn't a bad kid, never in legal trouble (couldn't have worked in the dept. of corrections if I had been!), but I have known people in high school with questionable moral backgrounds. If someone decides to try to diss my name, they wouldn't automatically disqualify me, right? It seems like they would talk to me about the results they came up with

[jzhaun]

Realistically speaking your hold time will be 2 months at most, and juggling time for other classes with DLI would be very difficult to say the least. There's a chance, but it's a very small one.

CTT1 is better acquainted with the SSBI process than I am, but as far as I understand, they're not going to trust any one person implicitly.

[Cobblestone]

Ok, thanks for the info!!

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by Cobblestone

For the SSBI, what do they do? My understanding is that they talk to a bunch of people you have known and not all of them are people you put down on the background investigation. I wasn't a bad kid, never in legal trouble (couldn't have worked in the dept. of corrections if I had been!), but I have known people in high school with questionable moral backgrounds. If someone decides to try to diss my name, they wouldn't automatically disqualify me, right? It seems like they would talk to me about the results they came up with

Cobblestone:

The people assigned to your case are seasoned investigators, they can tell who's worth trusting and who isn't. The reason they branch out on your contacts like that is to see if they can find anything you or your close circle of friends might not tell them. But they have a good sense for what's reliable and what isn't. They will also go over any issues or discrepancies with you to get some clarification.

So long story short, just be honest about everything and it will work itself out. They're looking at you, not some other person! If everything you tell them checks out then you'll be fine. Don't sweat it.

/r
CTT1

[FlyNavy]

I can't stress enough how much people freak out about the investigation cycle in DEP or in boot.

As long as you're honest and don't have anything to hide then you're gonna be fine. You'll see plenty of people freaking out or telling some kind of polygraph horror story, but 90% of those are either WAY exaggerated or just flat out fabrications.

/r
CTT1

[FutureSailorjb2]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

I can't stress enough how much people freak out about the investigation cycle in DEP or in boot.

As long as you're honest and don't have anything to hide then you're gonna be fine. You'll see plenty of people freaking out or telling some kind of polygraph horror story, but 90% of those are either WAY exaggerated or just flat out fabrications.

/r
CTT1

Alright this thread has be great to read. I have definitely learned a lot. I'm curious as to the polygraph stuff. I have heard both ways, some say you will take one some say you won't and its just a scare tactic. Anyway to settle the debate?

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by FutureSailorjb2

Alright this thread has be great to read. I have definitely learned a lot. I'm curious as to the polygraph stuff. I have heard both ways, some say you will take one some say you won't and its just a scare tactic. Anyway to settle the debate?

You're only going to get one if you're going to command that requires you to have one done (IE most NIOCs).

CTI's and CTN's pretty much work there exclusively, so they'll get theirs done eventually. If they can get them done at boot, then great. If not, they'll get it done while in holding before start work at their command.

As a T brancher that was heading to a ship, I didn't have to get one done until I came to shore duty. Same with R branchers; they won't always be required to have one at every command they go to.

/r
CTT1

[Cobblestone]

Ok, thanks! I think I should be 100% fine then!

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by Cobblestone

Ok, thanks! I think I should be 100% fine then!

You will be. People make this process way more difficult than it needs to be haha

/r
CTT1

[FlyNavy]

Been seeing some CT/Security Clearance questions pop up again.

Bumping for visibility.

/r
CTT1

[Beck94]

This is not about CT, but IS. Do you know where most IS end up getting stationed after they finish A-school? Do they usually deploy or stay on shore?

[blacktemplar]

Edit: answered question, I should actually finish reading a thread before asking a question, an novel idea.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by blacktemplar

Edit: answered question, I should actually finish reading a thread before asking a question, an novel idea.

Haha no worries. I've done that here as well.

/r
CTT1

[FlyNavy]

Bumping up. Seen a few CT related questions pop up recently.

/r
CTT1