Navy Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT)

Cryptologic Technicians – Technical (CTT) carry out a wide variety of duties for the Navy.

Navy CTTs are enlisted service members with training from cryptologic intelligence schools that prepare members for specific job duties.

These duties relate to the collection of airborne, land-based, and shipborne signals.

Also, Navy CTTs operate technology and systems that receive intelligence, interpret findings, and offer tactical support.

Navy CTT Requirements and Qualifications

Navy CTT stands watch in the CIC — Image: wikimedia.org

A high school diploma or its equivalent is necessary to enlist in the Navy.

For those who desire a career as a CTT, it is required to be a United States citizen and meet the requirements for a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.

Also, Cryptologic Technicians use a tremendous amount of advanced technology, so an interest in the field is essential.

Furthermore, an aptitude for math, highly detailed work, as well as good speaking, listening, and writing skills, are helpful.

The ASVAB score requirements are a total score of 162 between verbal expression, mathematical knowledge, and general science with a four-year enlistment.

For a six-year enlistment, the necessary score is 223 between arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, and general science.

Training and Career Path

After boot camp, Navy CTT formal training is called Class “A” Technical, and this training takes place in Pensacola, Florida.

This 12-week course covers many subjects, including:

Radar systems
Analog and digital collection devises
Radar analysis equipment
Systems of reporting
Intelligence analysis
Data processing
Computer
Security
Principles of radio-wave modulation

The training is done as a group and with direct instruction using computer simulation and live events.

After Class “A,” Class “C” Technical School, also in Pensacola, is seven to 10 weeks long.

With a combination of one-on-one and group instructions, graduates dive into submarines, ships, and airborne collection devices.

Furthermore, graduates study how to use radar analysis equipment.

Also, there are opportunities for advancement based on performance in this career.

Often, these advancements lead to training and credential in other occupations, which is a valuable experience.

Related Article – Is Navy Boot Camp Hard?

Navy CTT Job Details

Navy CTT Inspects a Power Supply Unit — Image: wikimedia.org

Other than the collection and analysis of signals and intelligence on land and at sea, a Navy CTT performs other duties.

A CTT will know details of emerging and existing threats against the Navy.

Also, the CTT will track targets of interest and help determine tactics in the event of an attack and provide on-going tactical support.

If you go into this career, you will also perform technical analysis of radar signals and use this information to brief others and write technical reports.

Furthermore, the data and analysis gathered are highly classified and helps build national databases used by several different agencies.

Working Conditions for a Navy CTT

The duties of a Navy CTT are performed worldwide. There are operational facilities that need technicians in the United States, Japan, Hawaii, Australia, and Great Britain, just to name a few.

Also, A Navy CTT might find themselves on ships, submarines, or aircraft.

Navy CTTs are frequently attached to Navy special warfare units, as well.

Furthermore, technicians might work on a team or independently either in an office, lab, or other secure space.

Sea/Shore Rotation

The sea/shore rotation for a Navy CTT is 36/36.

Therefore, what this rotation means is you would spend 36 months at sea, followed by 36 months onshore.

With that said, the first sea rotation is for 42 months due to the length of the initial training.

Related Article – List Of Navy Bases In The US

Pay and Benefits

The benefits enjoyed by a Navy CTT is the same as all enlisted members.

Benefits include a competitive wage and access to very low-cost medical care for service members and their families.

Also, the Navy offers the benefit of life insurance.

One of the most popular benefits the navy offers is training and education opportunities.

Because of these opportunities, service members can earn degrees and professional credentials that carry into the civilian world.

The Navy bases pay on rank and length of service.

Insignia	Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	2023 Minimum Monthly Pay
N/A	E-1 +4 months	Seaman Recruit	SR	$1,917.60
	E-2	Seaman Apprentice	SA	$2,149.20
	E-3	Seaman	SN	$2,259.90
	E-4	Petty Officer Third Class	PO3	$2,503.50
	E-5	Petty Officer Second Class	PO2	$2,730.30
	E-6	Petty Officer First Class	PO1	$2,980.50
	E-7	Chief Petty Officer	CPO	$3,445.80
	E-8	Senior Chief Petty Officer	SCPO	$4,957.20
	E-9	Master Chief Petty Officer	MCPO	$6,055.50
	E-9	Command Master Chief Petty Officer	CMDCM	$6,055.50
	E-9	Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Navy	MCPON	$6,055.50

Related Article: Navy Enlisted And Officer Ranks And Pay

Job Reviews

There are a wide variety of reviews for this position on both Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com.

However, negative reviews tend to revolve around the stress of deployment and sea duty.

Civilian Career Opportunities

When you are planning for your career in the Navy, it makes sense to consider what you can do with your Navy training in the civilian world.

Fortunately, as a Navy CTT, there are plenty of civilian jobs to consider.

Also, many of the jobs pay very well.

The following are three higher-paying jobs, although the lower-paying jobs in this field still pay $56,000 or more.

Because of this pay potential, the Navy CTT is worth considering.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Computer and Information Systems Managers plan and coordinate data processes, information systems, and programming as a part of their job description.

Also, this field expects to grow by 11 percent over the next eight years.

Typically, those in this career have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience.

Lastly, typical wages for this career are 142,530.00.

Database Administrators

A database administrator implements and tests computer databases and security systems that protect computers.

This field expects growth of nine percent over the next eight years, which is a bright future for job prospects.

Ideally, those looking for a job in this field will have a bachelor’s degree in the area.

Currently, the typical wages for this field are $90,070.

Network and Computer Systems Administrator

As an administrator in this filed, your responsibilities might include installing and supporting the local area network for an organization. Also, you might monitor the network and perform support and maintenance.

The job prospects show growth of five percent in this field.

Also, those who apply should have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Currently, the pay for this type of position is $82,050.

Conclusion

Cryptologic Technician – Technical (CTT) has an important position in the Navy.

There are some basic qualifications to be in this filed.

However, many of these requirements are the same for all service members.

CTTs need a high-security clearance and must show an aptitude for the work itself in testing.

Training consists of boot camp, and Class A and Class C technical training before starting to work int his field.

The working conditions for a Navy CTT are clean.

Often, work is done in an office either on a ship or at land.

A Navy CTT might also be on a submarine or attached to a special warfare unit.

The pay and benefits are the same as other service embers as the Navy bases pay on rank and time in service.

Job reviews reveal CTTs enjoy a supportive work environment and personal and professional growth.

Furthermore, several civilian job opportunities show this field in the Navy is promising when it comes to long-term career planning.

References:

https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/index.htm

https://www.navy.com/

https://www.careeronestop.org

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Nicholas A.

Nick Anderson has been serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy for the last 10 years. He graduated from Saint Leo University with his B.A. in Accounting and is a graduate student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance. Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Nick enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. During his deployments onboard the USS Fort McHenry, he traveled to 23 countries on four continents, sailing roughly 42,000 nautical miles across 30 seas and five oceans. He currently resides in Meridian, Mississippi.