CTN

clockard - That is the best link, and actually the last one you'll ever find from that group.  Sadly it goes away 30 Sept 2011. 

http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/05000%20General%20Management%20...

 

linxs - Good to see you again.  Do you have your orders yet?

 

josephs - CTN school is hard, and your son has 1 strike.  I would actually have him try to become a Intel officer.  In the fleet they call them 1630.  1630 is just like a rating enlisted rating (CTN, IS, MM, CS).  It's actually better to be a 1610 which is a Cryptlogic Officer because it is much easier. 

Going officer is always the best way to go.  The money is alot more, and the staterooms on the ships are just 2 man room.  Sure beats living with 50 other people like the enlisted guys do.

Just curious, how can he go STA-21?  That is a very limited program.  Not many ever get it.  Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Here is an example of a ASVAB Score sheet.  The overall score really means nothing and is only used to see if you qualify for the Navy.  The overall score must now be 50, before it use to be 35.  Things are always getting tougher.

Just click on the picture, it will get bigger...

josephsproudwifey - First, I second craig in his statement that officer programs are the best way to go. And with the STA-21 program, going to school would be his job.

Going the enlisted route, only thing I will add are the locations of being stationed. As mentioned, Norfolk and Hawaii are not the only duty stations. For a CTN, the other options not mentioned would be NIOC Texas, NIOC San Diego (Special program with the SEALS), Little Creek (Special program with the SEALS), D.C. (Special program with SOCOM), NIOC Pensacola, and there are also overseas opportunities although these are few.

Special program billets are usually the deployable billets, but not attached to a ship, but rather "boots on the ground" in support of Special Warfare Units...Expeditionary Warfare for us. Most of this is behind the wire so we don't kick in the doors, but there are opportunities for that as well which are programs he can learn about once a CTN.

Haven't posted in awhile, but well as we say no news is good news.  Problem was it was too good to be true.  My son called me last night and he said he failed his 6.2 test.  He has been rolled back once so that is not an option.  After class today he had to go up in front of the ARB for their decision.  All 5 of them said he should be dropped.  He is upset and feels like he has failed himself which isn't true at all.  Tomorrow the final decision will be given to him as to if he will be allowed to retake the test or be dropped from CTN.  He is hoping to stay in the CT rate being he was doing fine up until this test and he is more than 1/2 way done with the schooling.  He was set to graduate 9/28.  I feel stressed and I know he is also.  He is homesick and tired.  He was spending up to 10 hrs in class and also getting help from some marines in the class. Will update tomorrow when he calls me with the final news.

My son also said they are dropping CTN's from class like crazy.  He has only 6 left in his class of 20 that started.

The drop-out rate is due to the intensity of the course. It is pretty much a Bachelors degree crammed into 6months (minus the history lectures!). I wouldn't say most of those that don't make didn't put in the effort. It really is just that it is a lot to learn in that amount of time.

Karen, interesting story of your son. I too was an RP and cross-rated to CTN in 2009.

Ugh......Another day of no news from the ARB. I am so stressed out and hoping just by chance they will let him retake the test.

 

My son said the drop-out rate is due to the intensity of the course.  He was a straight A student all through high school and NEVER failed a test.  He did mention that some of the instructors don't even grasp themselves what they are teaching which is kinda what happend when he failed another test and got rolled back.  Also, he mentioned something about the CTN rating not being offered to new "booties" anymore.  It will be only offered to those coming back from the fleet and sailors/soilders wanting to reclassify after two years.  Not sure if this is 100% true or not.  He is extremely worn out, tired and homesick at this point, but unwilling to give up.  He is still going to class and sitting in it realizing it may be his last day in the class as well a completing all of his homework. 

The U.S. Navy SEALS has an 80% drop rate, and it sounds like the CTN course is the same.  

We should start calling those that pass the CTN course "CTN SEALS".

I LOVE the picture Craig.  Gave me a good laugh which I really needed.  Hoping to hear from my son this evening.  Will post when we find out.

~~~~ ALL MEMBERS ~~~~

Please take the time to vote for "Mollys adopt a sailor" so she can earn money from Pepsi (based on the number of votes) for sending packages to our sailors.... 

 

It's a really good cause and only takes a second to vote.... Please do it, because it helps our sailors!!!!!  

See this link....

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/urgent-molly-s-adopt-a-sailor

Hi to all, My son graduated boot camp 7/22 and got down to Corry Station on 7/24, now is waiting for school to start.

Hi Clockard and thank you...Was just reading about those that are struggling with the intense schooling...my son is very nervous since he's been in PCola about the same...had the bus driver tell him as he was driving him from the airport to the base that he would most likely fail out because he didn't already have his degree in computers before starting...not a good way to start A School...I have been trying to encourage him, but he still sounds down and he hasn't even started yet.  Any suggestions from the group?

Welcome Sherblond! Your poor son! Shame on the bus driver for saying something like that, I know my son was young, knew very little about computers and though he had some rough times in school, he passed and is doing really well in his rate.I did have a heart dropping moment last night when he tells me there may be a deployment in the new year,that's kind of unsettling but he is excited, go figure! Tell your son that he can it , ignore that guy and just  be a constant encourager. I know I kept reminding my son that six months of hard studying would open up a huge life opportunity. Best of luck to your son and again welcome to the group!!

Sherblond ,

I really don't know why some in the military feel the way to encourage is to tell them they will never make it for one reason or another! Yes they should be told it is hard and they cannot afford to fool around but being told they will fail constantly is the worst motivation.

 Tell your son my son had NO computer interest or computer related college courses under his belt.He was just 19. He had just recovered from illness and injury that caused him to leave BUDs.(a tough decision) Studying had NEVER been his thing BUT he finished the school and enjoyed learning 90% of the material. He too was told he would fail, (because he was X spec ops and not already a computer nerd). Just continue to encourage your son. If he works hard he can get through the school despite what the all-knowing BUS DRIVER says!!!

Thanks all, I have copied some of your comments and sent them to my SA.  I really appreciate your support and kind words!

 

Just to add to prov2324mom's comment, I have seen quite a few that found themselves in exactly the same position as her son. Not in class, as I went through the old A school & BDNA route, but at my duty station. They had no idea this rate even existed until they were told about when they were forced to pick one...they made it through. It wasn't easy, but they made it.

Like sandy said, they MUST ask questions WHEN the question arises. Everyone will have them, but only those that ask keep up.

Still no news on the ARB.  My son is still plugging along and putting 100% effort into homework and class even knowing he may be dropped.  He has gone through a week of not knowing and on Wednesday he has another test.  Apparently he can't take the test Wednesday because he failed the 6.2 test and hasn't been allowed to retake it.  So, he isn't sure what will happen this week.  I think he is pretty sure he will get dropped from the CTN class, but not sure when.  He said he knows another sailor waiting also for ARB.  One marine sat in class for a month before the ARB told him he was done. 

MOLLY  adopt a Sailor IS A FINALIST AND IS A RECIPIENT OF A $50,000 PEPSI REFRESH GRANT.

Just found this posted and thought I would let everyone know! Good news!!

Looks like I will be leaving this group. :(  My son got the news today that he is officialy dropped from CTN.  He is holding till Monday and he will have to go see what is available for his "new" rate.  He is hoping to stay and Corry and get either CTR, CTT or IT if available.  He said they started out with 20 students and are down to 12 right now and it looks like another 2 are getting dropped also. 

 

He seems in good spirits, but is exhausted and homesick.  He is hoping to get some leave before his classes start with his new rate and come home. 

clockard - What it means is the office that makes that handy-dandy chart that shows where CT's get stationed will be no more.  The office is closing, so that chart will be the last you see (unless another group starts doing one).  

 

Just curious, you must be really bored if you looking at a post from July 22nd.  If you're that bored, try having more sex.... You need to see the lucky stars....btw: Your husband can thank me later....~ha

himmiemom - The CTN course is really, really hard.  Don't let this get him down.  As long as he tried they will try to give him the option of chosing another rating.  Luckily for him, he's been in long enough to have his SBI access almost done.  The Navy doesn't want to waste that, so they will probably make him a CTT, CTR, or IT (old CTO rating that uses the SBI access).  

If he crossrates, make dang sure he goes to PSD and have his Navy contract modified so he isn't obligated for 6 years.  They will probably make him a 4yo or 5yo.   

You/he really needs to look at MILPERSMAN 1236-020 concerning "A" school drops.  I will post the link to the new instruction, but I will also post the pdf from the old one.  These will show you how he can modify his contract.  Remember, giving the Navy an extra year is not wise if he decides to stay Navy because it may put him into the Zone B area (I know you don't know what this is, and I too tired to explain it now, but it's not a good thing).  

New_MILPERSMAN_1236-020_(School_Drop)

OLD_MILPERSMAN_1236-020_(School_Drop)

clockard you got +1,  you got me on that one.  I bet you were "busy"...

congrats on your hubbys decision! I am sure he will do fine! I can't answer any of your question except that they can be deployed ( surprised me too, I thought differently). I would like to know about the bonus too, I think Craig might have mentioned that it was reduced. Best of luck!

The SRB lowering was actually in a post that I made in this section (ie CTN) on May 20 @ 2:47am.  You may want to read my follow up on July 9th at 9:36am and the next at July 9th 12:50pm.

 

Japan and Korea are on the place CTN's can go.  They also now have a couple PEP duty billets in Canada.

I was the one that said "It could be possible" that they offer a discharge to those that don't pass the course.  CTN is way overmanned, and they have the option of discharging the sailor.  I have the offical rule somewhere, I actually thought I posted it here on the CTN section but can't find it now.  UNDERSTAND, I never said they would be, I said they could be discharged.

I thought CTN was just considered manned but not overmanned? I thought our Sailors were safe from the cuts? My question is why do they open up spots if they have too many? that school is so darn hard that I hate to think our Sailors have to worry about keeping their jobs! Also besides Japan and Korea, can't they get sent to Iraq and Afghanistan?  With all the cuts, I would think everyone has a good chance of staying right where they are for a long time LOL!

There is no CTN billets in Iraq or Afghanistan.  The way CTN's get there is they are manned in a CTT billet.  It's all voluntary.

 

Per the CTN's being manned.  Yes and No concerning manning.  The current CREO show the CTN is undermanned.

http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/CAREER/CAREERCOUNSELING/Pages...  (look under CREO Listing)

 However, because everyone is staying in, they are not as undermanned as they were 1 year ago.  This is why the SRB went from a 3.0 to a .5  

 

The SRB going down is a blessing for the newbies because what is going to happen is the mid-level sailors E5 & E6 will end their careers at the 6 to 10 year point because there is alot more money to be made in the civilian world.  This will open up the positions for those newbies to advance.  In about 2 years there will be a total shortage of CTN, and the SRB will go back up.  So, yes, CTN is "undermanned", but they over way "overmanned" if you compare it to the old undermanned condition, but it's will not be in the future.  

*** Note:  I bet I have you guys totally lost in what I just said, so let me explain it my way"..... ***

Suppose you get "A,B, C" sex (Anniversary, Birthdays, & Christmas).  If this is all you were getting then if you got just a little more, then you would think your overmanned.  But if one of your friends got laid every other day and compared it to you,  that only got it 8 times per year, then he'd think you'd be undermanned.  It's on based on your prospective.  Good analogy huh?

Joseph - Because About.com has their head up their @ss.....

Here is the info, it's basically one out, one in...

From:  http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/...

 

Joseph - Secondly, yes he could be discharged per MILPERSMAN 1236.020

Para 1.b.2

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/120...

Tour rotations pretty much come down to rotating between Maryland/Norfolk to other INCONUS locations and then back to Maryland/Norfolk for the vast majority of CTNs. Japan and other OCONUS tours do come up, but they are mostly looking for specific CTNs with specific abilities from what I understand. My window for negotiating comes up a couple of months so I'll know more then ;-). Like Craig said, Iraq/Afgh billets are voluntary.

As for the SRBs, I knew they went down, but didn't realize they went down that much! I just got in under the previous message when I reenlisted in April. For those that go to ION they are still at 5.0....I think.?.

ActiveDuty - That is correct, the ION dudes (9308) still get 5.0 bonus.

 

Secondly, I still haven't got my "high side" email fixed yet.  I will ask again today to see.  Just curious, are you taking the E6 test this time?  My son will be vacation, and will have to fly into the nearest SCIF to take the test.  It's crazy that they won't let sailors in-transit to take the late exam.

Click on the picture to make it bigger...

Craig, I don't test until SEP12.
Your son taking the late exam...that makes sense right! So of course it isn't allowed :-p

Just to add to craig's post about ION, it is 4 months of more training...and like the post says, it is learning lots - LOTS - of software....during the 4 months and beyond.

ActiveDuty - Since you messed up your test date, here is a hint, this is one of those questions that is on every advancement test.  

The question: 

Question:  When does the E5 advancement test happen during each test cycle? 

Do you know?

Here is the easy way to remember it.  

• The 1st class exam happens the 1st Thursday of the test month (Mar & Sept), 
• The 2nd class exam happens the 2nd Thursday of the test month (Mar & Sept),
• The 3rd class exam happens the 3rd Thursday of the test month (Mar & Sept).

Pretty easy huh?  You owe me a beer if that question is on your test.  Frankly all of you moms owe me a beer if that question is on your sailors advancement test.  Woo-hoo for Craig getting hammered!

Beer on me anyways, but I meant SEP2012 :-)

Just heard most, if not all of the 31 killed in Afghanistan were Navy Seals and Seal Team 6 were among them. I am guessing that means perhaps some CTN guys, who knows. Praying for all the families receiving this terrible news.

 

once again ive read through the post as it gets closer to my november 22 ship date... i have a very clear understanding of operating systems, varies software, and ip/tcp connections, wireless security... i guess i want to make sure that i can proceed with the advancements in a timely manner... any other suggestions on what i should be studying (it sucks that i couldnt 1. ship earlier or 2. ship later and complete another semester of college to kill time)

ekauwe - I have two other deppers on my website NavyDEP.com leaving the same day as you.  You may want to get connected up with one of them because it make your time in boot camp alot more fun...  You've got to get pumped up before you leave.  You can't have enough info about boot camp.

 

November 2011
11/01 - Natsfam09 (SPAC)
11/10 - Rexy's Son (IS)
11/22 - Koles (CS)
11/22 - CaliNavyMom's Son (SECF)

Hey all,

 

I am a IT2 that has been made a CTN by way of PTS.  I have to be down at Corry Station on the 10th of September. I found this site by accident and it seems I can get some questions answered here. Such as.

-How is A-school for 2nd classes like living situation, duty, and so on?

-As I read these posts I see that the A-school is not easy so are there things I can read over and become familiar with right now?

-Are the CTNs duty stations shift work?

-Any other info would be great. Thanks.

@craig thanks for the potential contacts i will try to get intouch with the other DEPers as boot camp will probably go faster with some friends. @clockard they didnt give me any choices in ship dates, i think that hawaii being the smallest state you take what you can get. (also being 21 maybe they just told me something thinking i wouldnt question it)

ITnowCTN, do currently have high-side access where you work? If so you can access the actual course materials there.

A CTN's schedule depends on where they work. I am currently at NAVIOCOM GA and most CTNs work shifts. However, in my particular situation I make my own schedule as needed. Sometimes, I work a normal day schedule (0700-1530), but will work a midshift that evening/next morning as well due to OPs that I needed to schedule. Makes for a long 40hrs, but I enjoy my job and have fun doing it.

I went through BDNA so I am not 100% sure on returnees living situation, but as an CTN2 you will probably be in charge of the booters. Some of those I work with actually stayed on NAS Pensacola.

Got the news today.  My son's new rate is going to be IT.  He will get to stay at Corry Station for his A and C school.  Not sure when he will class up.  He is happy that he is getting to stay in a computer related field.  I am sad that I will no longer be in this group. 

Got a call from my son. His clearance is finished and he got the team he wanted. He will start his job with the N S A  and hopefully get BHA soon. He's happy. Also on Sunday he will be in the honor guard at the Oriole's game. That has been his temp job while waiting for his final clearance to go through. He's averaged 3 funerals a week, mostly WWII vets. It's been a good temp job but he's ready to get started on the real job.

ActiveDutyCTN, I do have a high side account. How would I go about finding the course material?

Sandy,

 He graduated May 13 and arrived at Ft. Meade early June. He took 2 weeks leave after graduation. This time last year he was on med hold at BUD s from a stingray sting and then made the decision not to continue in the training. (he would have had to start at the beginning and repeat the 6 weeks he had already completed) He took CTN not fully knowing how hard the school was but knowing it was a great rate for the future. His 6 months in JCAC were hard but he worked really hard and graduated with a decent average. The highest grade in his class was only a 91 %. That was a 30 yr old marine with previous networking experience so that shows how hard the class can be. Still it's doable as long as they know they have to put school before everything else.

 Where is your son in the training?

 

Karen,

 Of course I don't think the honor guard has no value. It is VERY important. My son has been honored to be a part of it as his temp job. It is just that after getting through the difficult JCAC school he is ready to start the job he was trained to do.

 My Dad was buried at Arlington with full military honors in 1998. It was an awesome ceremony although hard for me to appreciate at the time.

The loss of the SEALs has hit us pretty hard. My son was at BUD s last year and left due to med issues. He has many friends who are SEAL s or are still at training. Your son has a very difficult but important job to do this next week.

Sandy,

 Sorry I said son...I'm still used to the spec op community where it was all male! Tell your daughter good luck! It will go by fast.

ActiveDuty - I found out that I wasn't in Seachlight on the high side, that's why I'm not getting any traffic from you.  They should have me fixed in 48 hours.  So I can yak at you on the high side probably by Friday....

Woo-hoo for tomorrow... My son is getting a medal tomorrow, and I believe it might be higher than my Navy Commendation Medal (which is really high).   If he gets the one I'm thinking,  it is extremely rare, and I've only seen a handful of people ever get one while I was in....  I'm just hoping it will be.  I just have to wait and see....

Congrats to your son craig. You definitely have to let us know what it is.
I searched Searchlight and did notice you weren't there. Also, I spoke with a CTN1 Zachary Lewis who was out in Hawaii and he knows your son and they have been talking. So, your son already knows someone!