CTN

My oldest is a CTN2 in Norfolk. Glad to see we now have our own group. He keeps telling me that the CT rates are all so different, that they have nothing in common with each other. Especially the CTNs because they are such a new group to the Navy,

Yes, he bought a townhouse in Virginia Beach this past July. I got to see him the 4th and 5th of Dec. It's now a bachelor pad with two CTNs living there. I think he will be looking for a third roommate in the next few weeks. Its a good investment but too big to live there alone with just his cat.

My son has been in the Navy since may of 2007.

He went into the Navy right after he graduated from College (no he did not want to be an Officer). He graduated BC as a Petty Officer 3 and went to Pensacola. His A school was the 8 week school and he came out a CTN and was second in his class. He wanted Norfolk and got his first choice.

Steph, You should be prepared for the fact that your son will not be able to tell you anything about what he does. He won't be able to talk about school either. Its back to that old saying "What did you do at school today? Nothing." CTN school( A school) is now 6 months long. It has a very high failure rate, so your son will need to do some major studying. The Navy really needs all the CTNs they can get.

No you're not missing something. My son has been in since early 2007. When he went through school at Pensacola his school was 8 weeks. CTNs have only been a rate in the Navy since 2004. So things are constantly changing for them and their schools. You will know more about the school process than I do. That's why we are all here, to keep each other up to date.

Because the CTN rate is so new, they have the fastest advancement rate in the Navy. They need to advance rapidly because there is little or no command structure above them. So they could make Chief in under 10 years, some as little as 8 years if they went in with a college degree.

When Chris went through the program there was no C school. Do any of you know if that is still true?

I have a question about the CTN A school. What should I prepare to send him once he get there? How much room do they have and are they allowed their laptops, cellphones ect as soon as they arrive at school? I am working on helping him pack up his room before BC and wanted to separate the items he wants sent right away to Florida. Thanks for the information!

My son was also working on Christmas and Christmas eve. So he couldn't call either. I take any call I can get, anytime and just count those as Christmas. Their hours can be so crazy that they don't even know what day it is.

Patti, that is exactly right. My son said that the new CTNs that they were getting were not ready to go right to work. That they had to take time to train them on the job. Time they didn't have. Also. because they needed them so badly, they needed to lower the greater than 50% drop out rate

Happy New Year to all. And may your sailors have a great New Year as well.

Wanted to ask couple of questions about how things work after BC for CTNs. Are they usually grad and go? I have heard people talk about a delay in when they "school up", can someone explain what that means and where are they until they start school. And the most important question of all , once in Florida when are they able to see family. We will not be able to attend BC grad but want to plan to visit in Florida. Thanks!!

Lets see if I can help with your questions. Whether a sailor is grad and go depends on their division number, not on their rate. If he is in the lowest number division then he will most likely be grad and go. My son was in the last division in his PIR and he didn't leave until Monday afternoon.
The delay before they class up can be caused by two things. First, they might need to wait until they have enough sailors to fill up the class. CTNs are rare and so classes don't start as regularly as other CTs. The second reason is their security clearance issues. My son's clearence was held up while the Navy finished the paperwork. This happens more often with sailors who have been out of High school for a while. My son was a college grad, so the Navy had more of his life to look into. They live on the base at Corry Station while they wait and while they are in school. My son stayed in the same room the entire time he was there. A few guys changed rooms because a better room became available, but the Navy doesn't force them to move. You will need to stay in touch with your son.He will be able to tell you when he can wear civilian cloths and leave the base with you. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information. We have moved a lot also so I am afraid it will take a while for the clearance. I do feel better that he will be waiting in Florida and not in the GL. We are beach people and he is dreading the cold (even though we are in the deep freeze right now} He told me that a friend form the north gave him some tips on shoveling snow LOL! We figure at BC they have the cleanest snow free areas and he will probably be doing alot of that this winter.

No way to tell. But he should find out before you need to make reservations for graduation. The Navy recognizes that families need to make plans, so you will get enough warning. Just let him know that you need to make plans and he needs to tell you if he's grad and go. It all depends on airline reservations and classes, along with the division number. Some mystical formula only the Navy understands.

Great idea. I wish I would have thought of that. Actually, it might still work. Not with my CTN but with my Submariner. I might even find out something.

clockard, Those are the only ones that I know. Unless you count the grad school at Monterey, CA. My son would like his masters degree and that is where he thinks they would send him.

My son had his bachelors degree but chose to enlist because there was no CTN Officer slots. He wants his masters but will still remain enlisted. He's hoping to make Chief by the time he is 35.

How often are they able to start classes for CTN?

I don't think there is any set schedule. It looks to me like they start a class when they have enough sailors to make up a class.

For those whose sons/daughters in the classes already, are they enjoying it? What are their hours that they are in classes during the day? Night class time or are they off in the evenings? Sorry for the crazy questions but just trying to get an idea as to what life will be like for him during the six months.

momoffour, We have a CTN group. So check in with us there once in a while. We'd love to have you join us.

Patti A, Now is a good time to practise talking about nothing. I even resorted to sending him a questionaire in the mail. You know, the fill in the blank kind. I didn't learn anything but I at least got some creative answers. Like 10 different ways to say "I can't tell you that".

clockard, I think you are right. CTNs leave BC as E-3 or E-4s. My son went into the Navy with a college degree, so he automatically left BC as a Petty Officer. I remember him saying that the guys with college credits were all Petty Officers by the time school started at Corry. He made E-5 (Petty Officer 2) a year after leaving Corry.

Terrilynn, CTNs are all shore based. Right now they are sending a ton of them to Ft Meade which is not a Navy base. Can't explain what they do there, not on this sight. My son is in Norfolk and will be there for several years before heading up to Ft Meade himself. As far as housing, the only experience I have is with the much shorter CTN school. Since it is now a 6 month class, I think those rules have changed. I do have experience with my other son, who is a Nuke. Nuke school is 6 months and they provide housing for spouses. The Navy will provide him with that information when he gets to Pensacola as part of his INDOC.

Yup, they are the only land locked sailors that I know about. Chris' brother gives him no end of grief over that one. Not to mention that they are the rate with the fastest promotion time table in the Navy. They make Chief in less than half the time of other Petty Officers. The only rate that runs a close second are the Nukes. An endless source of teasing amoung my two sons. The reason for the fast advancement is that the CTN rate only entered the Navy in 2004. I still don't know exactly what he does, but I know that CTNs do different things depending on where they are. My son has a set of books called "Ethical Hacking". Imagine what you wish.

Terrilynn, Make sure you dress in warm clothes. The wind off the lakes is incredibly cold. My son's PIR was in early May and we almost froze on the long walk to the building where they have the graduation. BTW, wear comfortable shoes!

Steph, Don't count on the two boys leaving at the same time. They fly out depending on the availability of seats on the airlines. I would suggest investing in a pair of thermal underware. You have to walk from the front gate area across the base to the building they have the graduation in and then back to the front gate. If your sailor has the day off immediately after the ceremony, you will have to wait around for him. So, hats, gloves and warm coats are the order of the day.

I did it twice. The first time it was in early Sept and nice and warm. The second time it was much colder and windy. The second time it seemed a lot longer a walk. My husband says he thinks its a little under a half a mile. I think that's about right. It took us about 15 minutes to walk over there. But then I walk real slow.

The winter PIRs are definitely smaller. My oldest son's was a lot smaller,but we still had to sit in our designated numbered area.

Stripes on all white uniforms are always black. Petty Officers stripes are white on black dress uniforms. The new camo uniforms have me totally confused and I have no idea what they put on them. They do, however have a very large patch. It kind of looks like a bullseye. I think that's just because it is this brightly colored patch on their chest on the camo shirt.

My son has 7 divisions graduating the same day, it that considered large?

No, that is fairly small. Its nice to have a smaller group because it is easier to find your sailor after the ceremony is over.

I thought the school was only 6 months long. That is what my son was told.