CTI

Kelli,

Mine has been in four years.  He has never deployed and will not deploy before his enlistment is up.  

Help your future CTI keep a "cup half full- not half empty' good attitude. There are so many places to visit/vacation- if they avoid spending their entire paycheck on dumb cars and insurance, they'll have a ton of money saved, plenty for travel.  And even if they are in Hawaii, there are cheap jaunts to the far east, or if they are at Ft. Gordon, you can go see so many great places in our own country- Hilton Head, the Appalachians, DC, Orlando, Key West- all long weekend getaways.  Work hard, work out, CLEP out of some college 101 courses, and play hard on weekends or take leave.  Take massive advantage of MWR trips, too.  Every kid should be run through a Dave Ramsey course during basic and a refresher in A or C school.  I understand though- some duty for a first enlistment can seem like it has nothing to do with seeing the world- but make the most out of it- success is more good attitude- the travel and great things will follow! 

Our prayers and support for you CTI to be!!!   Sounds like she has awesome family support.  On a side note, I hear great things about the free tutoring, too btw.  Our CTI 2 B got one and the test scores are stronger than ever.  It takes up more free time after class but again parents out there, it means less rampant spending and eating out all the time and good GPA DOES have an impact on duty stations and promotability.  A CTO or CTR get promoted based on proficiency with equipment use and maintenance;  a CTI gets promoted in part based on language skill so good on you bbcregular and all other parents for keeping your loved one motivated, supported, and for helping them keep an eye on the prize- whether a rewarding 20-30 year career or even post college work in international commerce, the State Department, or as an educator. There are so many blessings that will come from some flat-out, agonizing at times, challenging academics there at DLI.  The best is yet to come...

There is so much of an opportunity for these young adults to set themselves up for future financial success.  My guy has been in for four and a half years, and he has been able to save over $50,000 (not counting his Thrift Savings Plan investment) over the course of his enlistment so far.  So many wonderful things come from this opportunity.  Travel might not be one of them.  But there are so many others that totally make up for it.

You are awesome parents- they are still so young and that encouragement helps power their success.  Also to all the others with CTIs2B out there, just because basic is over, keep writing and keep going with little care packages every once in a while.  Our kiddo said that DLI is 100x harder than Basic and she loved the letters at Great Lakes but gets more energy out of the ones she gets now even though they can text, call, go out on weekends and things.  It means a lot. 

I am new to this site. I currently have a son who is PIR group 3/4/16.  In communicating with those moms I have learned that there is someone on this sight by the name of Craig (not sure if that is a first or last name) who makes Challenge Coins.  I am interested in getting in touch with him to see about getting a Challenge Coin for my son as a graduation gift.  Thanks for any and all information!!

Good morning navymom- do  you mean a challenge coin from Great Lakes or DLI?   If you are looking for one to give him at PIR from Great Lakes, MWR sells them (and water/coffee/snacks actually during the actual PIR ceremony and they sell Great Lakes/Basic challenge coins).  Get one there because that will be his first and where the adventure begins.  As for a CTI/DLI one- hopefully someone else will respond for info on that.  I'm sure there's one out there- just not sure on the very latest. 

Hello fellow navymom - My daughter graduated Great Lakes January 2015 and I got her a CTI challenge coin from navy outfitters.  Here is the website:

http://www.navyoutfitters.com  Search for cryptologic.  They also have a great lakes challenge coin.

You can have them engraved.

Keep those letters coming.  They look forward to mail call so much.  I had a schedule made so that everyday someone was supposed to send her a piece of mail.  Since calls were few and far between it really helped her connect to home, especially since she missed Christmas.  Good luck!

You can send flowers via UPS but must be the kind simply shipped in a box (1-800 flowers does that I recall) but you cannot send arrangements in a vase.  Plus you have to let your CTI2B they are being delivered- you can't surprise them so to speak- all mail and UPS/FedEx goes to their Caffrey Rd mail receiving quarterdeck and is stowed until the person goes to check in with the mail petty officer and the hours are not always friendly.  75% of the time they miss getting a chance to go by and pickup mail or boxes due to class schedules not meshing with mail hours and there are no weekend pickups.  HOWEVER, I hope someone can pipe in with anything different or new because our CTI2B said they just replaced the mail petty officer or something to that effect.  I know we've had concerns because two very plain, no valuables or check filled letters have not been received.  I'm almost about to call the command- that is one thing that is sacred to our service members whether students or deployed- you do NOT impede the mail.  Sorry- had to vent.

During our CTI's time at DLI, his schedule did not mesh with the mailroom schedule at all.  Packages would languish for long periods of time before he ever had an opportunity to pick them up.  Some were never received by him.  Honestly, this is an issue military-wide.  Every time we lived in on-base housing it was virtually the same thing.  My son at the Air Force Academy has the same issues.  

I concur with Lisa when I was active duty, too!  I hate to be biased but the individuals who go Navy Storekeeper or Mail Clerk (the actual rate escapes me now) aren't known for their high ASVABs or motivation.  Nuff said.

On a positive note, we are considering getting ours an UPS Store or something mail box where they can get packages after hours and weekends and RELIABLY.  When I was active duty and stationed stateside, I always got one single or married- they were far better about getting things set aside, never missed a signature delivery.  Also, its a good place for them to do any power of attorney paperwork since most have a notary, make copies and things like help selling a car back home, college/high school transcripts, etc.  

AND they will forward your mail PROPERLY to your next command.  Once you left a command and like Lisa said- it's a military mail handing thing- you were really lucky to get any mail forwarded to your next command. 

I didn't mean to imply anything negative about the AD individuals manning the mail centers.  In fact, on one base on which we lived the post office was staffed by postal employees.  Yet, we had the exact same problems.  At the Air Force Academy, the post office is staffed by postal employees.  Yet, my other son has the same problems.  The short hours is one of the main issues. 

We shipped all her civilian clothes in numerous small boxes over time after the first few weeks and they got there, too.   It seems the weakest link is on flat cards and letters- and those are what often count the most.  JHubby nailed it too on their schedule- we even write in our CTI2B's language (thanks Google Translate!!!!!) about family, friends, and to offer support so that is disappointing when those don't arrive. 

By the way- great to see so many people participating here!

Congratulations Babs and to your CTI!!!   Did you get to attend the graduation ceremony?   How was it if yes???   

Love that box decorating- especially the Marines haha.  Thank you and them for your family's service- sounds like a great family!

Babs - congratulations to your sailor!!  Mine son also studied Mandarin, he's been at his duty station for about 1 1/2 years now.  Your son is probably at the same place as my son...I think they pretty much go to the same spot.  My son is working on renting his first (EVER) apartment!  I'm super excited for him.  Hoping to go visit this summer...wish I was there now to help me buy stuff for his new place....

Hi everyone! My boyfriend is currently at boot camp with a rating of CTI, so pending clearance, he'll be a "CTI2B." I have gotten most of my information about basic from here, but still have lots of questions about A school! 

Is there a decent amount of storage space in their room for clothes, etc once they phase up?

Is it true that once they reach phase three, they are permitted overnights on weekends?

I'm sure it changes, but has there been a pattern of which airport/what time your new sailor flew to Monterey from basic?

Do most students have to wait an extended period of time before starting class?

He went into basic as E-3. I know there are tests and certain things he has to do to become E-4, but does anyone know how long that typically takes/is it usually given after A school is over?

All I can think of for now! So nice to have a group of (mostly) women to discuss things with and get support from. We are from the East Coast, so I am planning a West Coast move this summer to be closer. Any thoughts on that idea? 

And one more -- I read it depends on their languages where they get stationed, but the main locations are Ft Meade, Georgia, Hawaii and Texas? True/False? 

agreed with ejrwelch. My now husband and I recently got married over the summer. While he was stationed at DLI i stayed back home and we made it work long distance. It is extremely expensive to live there without BAH. we got married a few months before he graduated DLI so that they would move us across the country. but yes depending on the language those are the places he can be stationed afterwards. if you have any questions, feel free to message me or email if you would like to know more. My husband graduated DLI in october and we have been stationed in our new location since november. so all very new and i know how hard it is to live away from your CTI, but if it is meant to be, trust me, it will work.

I cannot agree more and we are loving mixed civilian and active duty Navy family so we aren't seeing this through only one side or the other- I strongly concur that moving out there is not a good idea on many levels.  Cost is #1- you are better off staying gainfully employed at a lower cost in your area than following your CTI2B out there.  Secondly, the language instruction, military side duties, standing watch allow almost NO time for family life.  It's like going to law or medical school.  Look back through this thread- it's hard for a student to even get their mail time wise.  We aren't talking "Oh you can help them get the mail"  I'm talking that your CTI2B won't have time for even you.  Not doubting at all you are in love and that love and support is a good thing, but it can and often does not work out the way you guys think it will.  However, Ia couple great visits, long weekends are doable and can be a plus once he phases up.  It's difficult for our UBER sharp CTI2B to even text us except weekends.  It requires medical/law school dedication and focus.  It's not a time for playing house.(no offense- but you know what I mean).  Save it for the next duty station.  You'll thank all of us.  Tell your CTI2B to change rates and change now if you all can't handle this, are insecure about the separation.   Save your money and you both work hard.  You will be challenged to find a job out there, as well. Being there to help with laundry or cooking isn't a help if he has to be rushing out the door anyhow.  AND... the cost of an apartment out there is going to be way over an E3's budget- it's a non-event.  Sorry so extreme but I hate seeing this sort of thing over and over in my past Navy life and also our kids on active duty on both coasts and their friends/fellow shipmates.   Patience is a virtue and that's why that saying even exists.  Hang in there!!

Also, our CTI2B was routed to United the Saturday morning after PIR along with all the others heading to DLI.  If you fly United, the O'Hare terminatl and USO, restaurants, etc. are all really close and short 10 minute walks at most- very easy to catch up there.  As for our CTI2B, they asked for their civies and work-out clothes about the 3rd week there and we shipped them in lots of individual boxes.  Remember, they won't have a car and it can be a serious hike getting the boxes from the Caffrey Rd mail room to their quarters, up stairs, etc. AND they have almost zero time to do so.  Ship things in lots of boxes no bigger than a copier paper box and only ship one or two a day.  Don't do big boxes or a hail Mary mega shipment.   The mail petty officers and mail hours aren't that supportive of your CTI2B- I hear they are YNs, PNs, or SKs not fellow CTI's so mail and box handling and care is not a priority at all.

As ejrwelch noted, you can get married before graduation if all is looking good.  That's a smart move beyond the direct financial benefits, it will ensure a much smoother "walk in the door" at the next duty station as far as being noted as a dependent, medical/dental access, and having a base registration for your car.  I do agree that if you all are strong enough to make it through DLI and get married at the end, it's a smart move to get things administratively squared-away before shipping out.

Important, especially for young couples, once your CTI2B is at O'Hare, he CANNOT leave the airport even if his flight isn't until late that night for example.  You cannot pick him up from Great Lakes and take him to the airport, either.  You can only meet at the airport. Most all of the CTI2Bs fly United, even as of January I've heard.   They won't know their flight/ticket info until the last few days and our CTI2B was able to call us the Sunday before PIR with that info.   We already had booked United based on what we had heard and fly United most anyhow.   Ping other CTI members here every so often to confirm that the DOD/USN didn't change transportation contracts, etc.  Check the other non-CTI groups, too to see what the latest word is on the airlines being used.

Wow, thanks everyone for your responses. Knew I could count on all of you for that! I should have prefaced my moving comment by adding that I have family in Monterey, have a job that is easily transferable throughout the country (RN - can take travel nurse assignments anywhere that pay for my housing), my SR is older (28), and we have been together several years with a percentage of that time long distance, and have been living together (just to put you at ease that, should we end up getting married, it would be for the right reasons, not just financial). I do appreciate all of your comments and will take them to heart. I knew he would be busy and I did not expect to live together in Monterey. I guess my thought process was that seeing him once a week or bi-weekly is better than not at all. However, I would not want to put extra stress on him if you think that's what me moving there would do. 

As for the flight questions.. They seem to be out of O'hare typically rather than Midway? 

Good morning Fuzzy,  I was not a CT but I deployed with CTI's on smaller combatants, subs, and also on two carriers.  CTIs do deploy but are never ship's company.  In other words, they are often assigned to go on an exercise or major deployment but are rarely part of the formal crew.  The downside of that it's almost impossible to go through all the classes required to get a surface or sub warfare pin.  I think I recall only one CTI or CTO get that and it was on a long, long seven month deployment.  The upside is that your CTI2B won't have to be in the shipyards or what have you after deployments.  They need CTI's to be on gear or deployed to keep those skills up.  If your CTI2B is in really good shape and has decent vision, aircrew is a great option- not a lot of billets but can have far more time to get an aviation warfare pin or stay deployed, getting out there and staying busy.  In any event, deployments depend on demand for a language in a particular theater or deployment area- that's no secret.  The recruiter may have been needing to fill a CTI shortage quota, but remind yourself and your CTI2B that if he didn't have the potential, they wouldn't have asked him to go CTI.  It's usually the other way around someone asking to be CTI so if your son was encouraged to go for it, that's a nice kudo to him and well done for you on raising a great young man.

Fyi- 'yard periods' are when a ship comes back from a major deployment and regardless of rate, even officer or enlisted, everyone works on the ship.  You might be a dental technician or a aerographer (weather man) or a mess cook- EVERYONE cleans the ship, chips, paints, stands watch, fire watches, and so forth.  Plus the ship has to come and go a lot to test engines and systems- it can be monotonous.  CTI's and CTO's HAVE to stay sharp and keep those skills up and need to either be back at their primary base (Ft. Gordon for example) doing language labs, staying immersed, or going to a listening station or deploying.  You can't take a month of to work on a ship and be a CTI.  Also the best way to stay active and deployed is to keep your language skills sharp.  That's where the action is.  Again, I was not a CTI but we have a CTI2B and I worked directly with them on almost every deployment and many were friends. I actually encouraged my CTI2B to go CTI over my vs my past (IS) and officer (1630) paths.   CTIs can go into the State Department, international trade, consulting firms, banking, international shipping firms, fashion (yes- fashion!) teach the language at a small college or university (without the need for a Ph.D. at a major university), travel, and so forth.  CTI is fantastic.