The CTM-CTI-CTN-CTT-CTR Ratings
The original rating, Communications Technician, evolved in 1948 from the ratings of Specialist (Q) (Cryptographers), Specialist (Q) (Radio Intelligence), Specialist (Q) (Technicians), and Radioman. In 1976, the rating's name was changed to the present day, Cryptologic Technician.
CTs perform a variety of duties worldwide at numerous overseas and stateside shore commands, aboard surface ships, aircraft and submarines and Naval Special Warfare. Duties include performing collection, analysis and reporting on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted communications equipment, video display terminals
Cryptologic Technician - Maintenance (CTM)
Effective October 1, 2011, Cryptologic Technician - Maintenance (CTM) will be an active duty only program, and no longer available as a Navy Reserve rating.
Cryptologic Technicians (Maintenance) perform preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical and electronic cryptologic and ancillary systems used for communications, analysis, monitoring, tracking, recognition and identification, electronic attack, and physical security. They install, test, troubleshoot, repair or replace cryptologic networks, physical security systems, electronic equipment, antennas, personal computers, auxiliary equipment, digital and optical interfaces, and data systems.
CTMs configure, monitor, and evaluate Information Operations (IO), Information Warfare (IW) systems, and Information Assurance (IA) in support of national and fleet tasking. They manage mission organizational level maintenance, and coordinate repair of command, control, communications, computer and intelligence systems.
Cryptologic Technicians - Interpretive (CTI)
Cryptologic Technicians (Interpretive) conduct Information Operations (IO) using foreign language skills and advanced computer systems. They collect, analyze, and exploit foreign language communications signals of interest to identify, locate, and monitor worldwide threats.
CTIs control and safeguard access to classified material and information systems. They transcribe, translate, and interpret foreign language materials, and prepare time-sensitive tactical and strategic reports. They provide cultural and regional guidance in support of Joint, Fleet (special operations, air, surface, and subsurface), national, and multi-national consumers.
Cryptologic Technician - Networks (CTN)
Cryptologic Technicians (Networks) monitor, identify, collect and analyze information; provide data for digital network products, and they conduct computer network operations worldwide to support Navy and Department of Defense national and theater level missions.
Duties include, but are not limited to, network target development and Indications and Warning (I&W), Attack Sensing and Warning (AS&W), and provide computer network risk mitigation and network vulnerability assessments, and incident response/reconstruction. They are active in computer network defense, access tool development and computer/network forensics.
Cryptologic Technician - Technical (CTT)
Cryptologic Technicians (Technical) operate and maintain electronic sensors and computer systems, and collect, analyze, exploit, and disseminate Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) all in accordance with fleet and national tasking. CTTs provide safety of platform, Indications and Warning (I&W), and Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD), and provide technical and tactical guidance to Warfare Commanders and national consumers in support of surface, subsurface, air, and special warfare operations.
Cryptologic Technician - Collection (CTR)
Cryptologic Technicians (Collection) operate state-of-the-art computer systems to conduct Information Operations, and they collect, analyze and exploit signals of interest to identify, locate and report worldwide threats. CTRs control and safeguard access to classified material and information systems, and provide tactical and strategic signals intelligence, technical guidance, and information warfare support to surface, subsurface, air, special warfare units, and national consumers to maintain information dominance.
Qualifications, Interests, and Working Environment
Among the most important qualifications are exceptionally good character, above-average writing, and speaking skills, a good memory, curiosity, and resourcefulness, an orientation toward ideas and information, and ability to keep accurate records and work with details. Also important is adaptability to a wide range of work activities and environments. An Interest in technology and willingness to acquire computerized information processing skills are also helpful.
Applicants for the CT rating must be U.S. citizens and meet eligibility requirements for continuous access to sensitive compartmented information (SCI). Adversely adjudicated drug abuse offenses will not receive waiver consideration. Applicants’ immediate family members, including parents, sibling(s), and spouse, must be U.S. citizens or from a low risk country as defined by Intelligence Community Directive 704. Eligibility for a top-secret clearance is determined by the results of a Single Scope Background Investigation followed by a reinvestigation every five years. Applicants who are former Peace Corps members are not eligible. Normal hearing is required. CT ASVAB Test score requirement.
For CTI applicants a Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test must also be taken, at MEPS or wherever available; a minimum score of 100 is required. Based on the DLAB score. Students will then be assigned to a language based on school quotas and requirements as follows: DLAB score of 100-109 qualifies personnel for Spanish, Hebrew, Persian-Farsi and Russian. A DLAB score of 110 or above is required for the Arabic, Chinese and Korean languages.
Credit Recommendations
The American Council on Education recommends that semester hour credits in the associate/bachelor degree programs and vocational certificate categories for courses completed, and expierences aquired in the CT rating.