CTN

For friends and family of CTNs - Welcome to all new members!

We tend to be a quiet bunch here but, if you ask a question, someone will try to answer you.

Please limit comments to questions, answers, discussions that are in support of our Sailors. This is not the place for politics or religion.

Thank you!

Load Previous Comments
  • Ellen S.

    Congratulations Craig's son.  Way to go.
  • Craig

    Sandy - Awesome picture of the medal.  I actually stole that and put it on other areas....  (I finally spelled medal correctly ~ha)

    ITnow - You really have to be into the software for 9308 & 9309.  I don't beleive there is billets in Korea or Japan for that NEC.  You may want to check on CMS.  

    Ellen - Thanks... Next step for him is getting the Nerd Warfare pin.  I hope he gets that....

  • Ellen S.

    Okay Craig, what is the NERD warfare.  I know SS, SW, AW
  • Craig

     

    Ellen - It's the new warfare pin earn by those that are nerds,  It's called the Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist (IDW) pin (akaNerd Warfare)

    It came out about 1 1/2 years ago, and not many have it.  It's just sooo new.  But one you get it then you will be authorised to use that in your rating designation:  Like CTT2(IDW) similar to a surface warfare guy having CTT2(SW).  So let say you have both a Surface Warfare and a IDW, then you'd be a CTT2 (SW/IDW).  It just a way that people know you went that extra step.  

    Here is the very 1st sailors to earn it... Both gals, both CTN's.  They are CTN1(IDW) Theresa Verity and CTN1(IDW) Michelle Krecota.
    Well Done! Very impressive.  

    I actually wrote about this on Oct 30, 2010 @ 3:17am.  Just seach back to page 50 or so....

     

    Here is the offical stuff:

    http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=51448

     

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

     

    Here is the Navy Times article, which is good:

    http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/02/SUNDAY1navy-information-domin...

     

     

  • Ellen S.

    Cool looking.  I was an "M" brancher.  Never got to sea.  Rats.
  • Craig

    christy - Beleive it or not, clockard just ask that question about a week ago.  Go look at page ~5 for my post on 8-5-11 @ 11:04am in this thread.

     

    Ellen - I was an "M" also.  What years where you?  I was 1978 thru 1996 (took the early retirement).  What was your NEC?  I was TACINTEL, then I moved to DF, then I went to Classic Wizard.  

  • ActiveDutyCTN

    ION is basically a four month course to receive intensive training on very specific software...not the "over the counter" stuff in Best Buy ;-)
  • momoffour(Ship 11 div 119)

    Back form being sick and trying  to read everything and catch up! Congrats on your son's medal Craig, that is really impressive and I know you are a beyond proud dad!! Someone below mentioned the nerd pin, my son said that they are now required to get it and given a deadline, he has to have his within a year from now. I saw the pics below, are there two or are you showing the gold and silver, you can choose from LOL (I am thinking choosing your color is not a Navy thing, but us girls would love it!!).
  • Craig

    clockard - the rule for the IDW are the same for SW.  You must get one.  When I got my ESWS pin, it was actually new and no one had it.  The incentive to get one was it gave you 2 points on the advancement test.  However, those days are long gone.  For any "pins" you get no award points.

    Secondly, if you don't get your pin within your time limit then your liberty is gone until you do get it.  All liberty and leave is cancelled.   If it gets to that point, your career has basically ended.  It will be documented with a Page 13 in your service record and you will go no further in the Navy.  

    Being so new, alot of commands haven't set the start time for the sailors yet.  But those days are coming too.  I bet within a 18 months, everyone on this board will have a sailor that has a IDW pin.  Nerd warfare is here and now!

  • Craig

    Sandy - Let me tell you what the ESWS does, then I will tell you what needs to be done to earn it.

    The ESWS pin means a sailor is qualified to stand the different positions on the ship.  It doesn't mean he's fully qualified, but he's one that has the basic idea of how to do it.  

    Why is it needed?  The Navy knows that every ship is vunable to some type of problem.  For example, on May 17, 1987 Iraq fire two Exocet antiship missiles at the USS Stark.  Both hit the ship.  37 sailors were killed and 21 were injured. A ship must still be able to fight and carry on, but 58 sailors are now dead or injured.  Who does it?  When something like this happens, then they will grab the most qualified sailors, the ones with ESWS, to fill in for those that our gone.  Yes, their own division will suffer a little, but now the ship has all the positions covered again.  It can return to fighting.  So the ESWS guys are the ones that are very knowledable of the whole ship.  Which is a really good thing.

    Now for the qualifications.  You have two Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) books.  One is just the common stuff that all sailors need to know, then you have the book that is written for each specific ship.  So the entire book must be sign off, and to earn those signatures, you have to stand duty at each position.

    It took me about 9 months to earn mine.  It is really hard...

    I will attached both the common PQS and a Ship specific book (I used the USS Arleigh Burke class which is about 64 different ships) here....

    ESWS_Common_Core.pdf

    ESWS_DDG-51.pdf

  • Craig

    When you're in Hong Kong, the Philippines, or Korea, and they say since you never finished you ESWS PQS, you'll not be going off the ship on liberty.  It's a wake up call.  There's no pushing at all.  It all rest upon the sailor.
  • Craig

    btw:  Here is the USS Stark...  May these sailors Rest in Peace....

  • RED (Ship 11 Div 317)

    My son is still in boot camp, starting week #3. After PIR he's going to A school in pensacola. I'm here to find out as much about CTN as possible. I really have no idea what kind of job he's gonna have with that.
  • mplunkert

    My son just arrived at Corry Station a couple of days ago.  He is waiting to class up which looks like it could take weeks.  I've heard the program is intense with high fail rate.  Any pointers for a newbie with little technical experience?
  • mplunkert

    Thanks Sandy,  that was a help!  I will forward the info on to him so he can start off strong.
  • ActiveDutyCTN

    Just going to say I second sandy's comment about *study nightly...not matter what. I went through the old A and C schools, but know a couple that went through JCAC. Not to add to the stress levels, but a sailor and an airman said that out of about 20 students to begin, about 13 dropped from each of their classes. Those that did were the majority that didn't study and thought they knew it all going into the class so they didn't stop the instructor to get answers, didn't do the assessments, and weren't serious until it was too late.
  • Chimelle 3/149

    Today my son is 1/2 way through JCAC! He's really loving it, though it's been difficult. Many have been dropped from his class, including several of his friends. He had a hard time emotionally, about a month ago I'd say, watching all of them drop. The class size has stabilized the last few weeks so he's feeling better about it all. He keeps on studying hard and we keep praying him through. He says some modules have been harder for him than others, and some instructors more helpful, but overall he's ok. I can't wait for this part to be over for him so he can get on to the job.
  • prov2324mom

    Wow,

     All these posts are bringing back memories of my son's long 6 months in JCAC. We did a lot of praying and what a happy day when he graduated!!!!

    Today he finally started his actual job at the NSA. I haven't talked to him yet. I'm anxious to hear about it. (at least what he can tell me)

     I'm posting a pic of his last temp duty yesterday, color guard at the Orioles game at Camden Yards. They had a great time and were wined and dined in a sky box called the Flight Deck. He holding the American Flag. All four are CTNs.

  • Sherblond

    Hi this is sherblonds husband just wanted to thank everyone for the words of incouragment to my wife and son got a call from him tues all excited he got a 90 on his first test on to section 2 feeling a bit better .... It was probably a good thing to put a scare into him he rarely did homework or studied in HS and did very little in college and did fine ...He is in a good study group and studies every night now ..The best thing he said was he likes what he is doing and will continue to work hard

  • Beachyblonde

    Hey everyone! I posted a while back about my husband and myself heading to P'Cola for A & C school. We're here now and pretty much all settled in!
    I just wanted to say that I second what Sandy posted about her daughter's advice! It's what my husband said too! In fact, your daughter might be in my husband's class! haha
  • LornaJ (Ship 3 Div 81)

    My son graduated CTN school last Thursday (2nd in his class of 17). We are so very proud of him and can not wait to see him when he comes home on leave for 2 weeks. GO NAVY!!
  • LornaJ (Ship 3 Div 81)

    He has orders to Little Creek VA--which is about a 10 hour drive from our home. Should be able to see him often.

    Karen-the best of luck to your son!!

  • Ellen S.

    And they shall be called CT’s
    In the beginning was the word, and the word was passed when the earth was
    without organization or field day. And God said, “Let there be light”, and there
    was light. And God separated the light from the darkness, and he called the light
    day and the darkness Eve and Mid.
    On the second day. God created the earth, and the seas that covered the earth and
    heavens over the earth. And God saw that the earth and the seas and the heavens
    and saw that they were good, except for some crummy spots in isolated areas of
    the earth. And God had the idea. God said, “Let there be little square building in
    those crummy spots and surround them with poles and wires whose name shall be
    called Wullenweber.” And God looked at these creations and saw that it was about
    what he had expected.
    On the third day, God created men and women and placed them on the surface of
    the earth and everywhere on earth there were men and women, except for those
    few crummy places where all refused to live. And God Said, “Let there be a
    special kind of man and woman to live in those spots, and let them speak a strange
    language and tell none what they do”. And God created these people and told
    them “You shall be called CT’s, and you will think of yourselves as having special
    abilities and favor in my sight.” Devious are the ways of the Lord.
    On the fourth day, God was awakened early by a great noise. And God saw that it
    was the CT’s calling his name and crying that they had nothing to do. And God
    spoke to them and said “Arise and go into the square building where I have set for
    you many wondrous devices covered with a multitude of knobs and switches. And
    you shall spend your days listening to the music of the heavens.” Saying this, God
    gave unto them the combination to the door that they might safeguard it and live in
    peace and harmony.
    On the fifth day, God created the birds of the air, the beasts of the land and the fish
    of the sea, and every vairety of plant that liveth on the face of the earth, and God
    moved upon the earth and heard a great grumbling and complaining from the
    square buildings of the CT’s. “We are too many” they said, “and cannot all fit at
    once into the place which you have made for us!” God saw that they were indeed
    too many and divided them into four parts, that one part might work the Day, one
    part the Eve, and one part the Mid, while the remainder might rest and tend to their
    families. And he gave unto them a watchbill inscribed on a tablet of brass that they
    might know their proper turn, and then God saw that the sun had passed the zenith
    and had a second idea. God said “Let there be ROPEYARN”, and a great cheer
    was heard from the CT’s within their square building for they had witnessed the
    birth of a Naval Tradition.
    On the sixth day, God was putting a few finishing touches on the his creation when
    once again this peace was interrupted by the loud noise of the complaining from
    the CT’s, “Oh Lord” they said, “We keep the hours that you have set for us, but
    still find dissensions and strife in our midst. We know not which of us is to turn
    which knobs or who of us should change the light bulbs.” And God said unto
    them, “I will make of you a number of branches, and give each a special ability
    that will separate it from the others and again bring peace and harmony to the
    earth.” And God divided the CT’s into six branches and called their names
    “TAMORI,” the ancient word for the “Makers of Trouble.” “Your name shall be
    TAMORI,” said God, “Which standith for Those able men and women of rare
    intellect.” Thus did God create the acronym and other Navy Traditions. And God
    saw the CT’s at their new functions and saw that all was going smoothly, and God
    said “It’s about time!”
    On the seventh day God rested. At the twelfth hour of the day, there again arose a
    great noise from the square building of the CT’s and God called his angel “The
    bringer of light” to his side and spoke unto him. “ I am in the midst of creating
    football games and wish not be to be disturbed. Go thou to those CT’s and their
    problems.” And Lucifer said, “Aye, Aye Sir” and departed from heaven to earth.
    And we all know where that ended up!
    What a great trip! Thanks CT’s!
  • Ellen S.

    And roundabout there was another great cry and God created the N's to shutteth up the cry again.
  • RED (Ship 11 Div 317)

    I'm new here. My son is still in GL, but coming to pensacola soon for CTN. will he go to corry automatically?
  • Craig

    Red - He will go straight to Corry.  The CTT's and CTM's go to NAS 1st, but not CTN's...
  • Craig

    clockard - Did you just post a link?  I will never let you live that down sister!  Woo-hoo!  

     Karen - My daughter just got back from Tucson.  She went there for a week to visit a friend.  Thank God she didn't go to Nogales Mexico like I use to do.  Man that town is scarry now.  

    Anyways, just like clockard said, Ft. Meade is just one of many duty stations they can go to.  At somepoint in his career he will go to "the fort".  Everyone usually does.  

     

    Susan - DId he try to get a ship out of Italy?  I don't believe there is any shore duties there. 

  • USNproudMom

    Hello, My daughter is in her second week of JCAC  (Joint Cyber Analysis Course) at Corry Station.  She graduated bootcamp 8/26.   She says the class is tough but she seems to be doing well so far. Does anyone else have a loved one in JCAC right now?  Maybe our kids are in the same class
  • Chimelle 3/149

    My son is in JCAC right now, but is about 6 weeks out from graduating. It is a tough program. Most of his friends are now in another program or have gone on to the fleet. There are a lot of up and down emotional times in there. I'm guessing it's normal, but it's been difficult on us, too. We send him lots of encouragement and prayer to keep him going. I'm more than ready to see him in his job now. Dream sheets were filled out last week and now they're waiting to get orders.
  • USNproudMom

    Oh thank you.  Yes it is  a tough program.  She has already called in tears and I couldnt understand a word until I got her to settle down.  She felt like she was the only one who wasn't getting it.  This was last week so this week seems much better. She has a good attitude and is staying after class as much as she can so she can learn this.  I'm so proud of her..its just so hard being so far away.  We live in Calif.   I wish the best for your son. 

  • CTNDepper

    Hi everybody! My son suggested this site as a way to get to know what he'll be going through, right now he's still in DEP as a CTN but because of his work schedule and mine, we don't get to communicate all that often and when we do it's typically about other things. So far I understand that when he ships out, boot camp will be about 8 weeks, most likely ship out directly to A-school which will be about 6 months. From there I'm kinda hazy on details, so I'm gonna see if you guys can answer a couple questions. First, how many segments are in A-school? I'm assuming it's broken up into different segments since everyone starts at P-cola and ends up at Corry...and the second question is since he's not a fleet returnee, will he automatically go to C-school? Or BDNA? Or are they the same thing?

    Thanks for any info y'all can give me

  • momoffour(Ship 11 div 119)

    There is just one six month course, no C school, and then they get orders for their first duty station. My son stayed in the same place in Florida for the entire six months, I believe it was Corry.  Best wishes to your son and Welcome to the group!!
  • CTNDepper

    Wow, Susan, has he been there for four years? Or is that the day/month? In which case he'll only be there for four months?

    Also, what kind of housing is at Corry? Does he want to minimize his footprint and get rid of everything he doesn't necessarily need? I would assume it's similar to a college dorm where it's two to a room or is it like basic where the everyone sleeps together?

     

    Thanks momoffour, best to you and yours as well...

  • Craig

    CTNDepper - Welcome to the group.  Your son is correct, this is the place you need to be.  Per your question about Corry housing.  You said it in a weird way, so I need to ask, is he married or single?  

    Has your son joined a Deppers Forum yet?  If not, I'd love to pump him up with information before he leaves.  Have him come on over to NavyDEP.com and I will make his life in boot camp very easy.  

  • Chimelle 3/149

    Son is entering the last month of JCAC! He's filled out his dream sheet and is waiting to hear where he will be stationed. He asked again if we would be able to come to graduation, but our financial situation and hubby's work schedule just won't allow it. We did go to PIR, so we haven't missed it all. I know he'll be coming home for leave after grad so that helps a little, but I still feel terrible. Will we be missing out on a big ceremony?
  • CTNDepper

    Craig-

    Sorry, I just read my question and yeah, it does sound weird. He is single. I am wondering if I am going to have to send him a lot of stuff once he hits Corry, i.e. xbox 360, tv, clothes, computer, etc....OR if all he is allowed is a couple select things...

     

    I texted him about NavyDEP.com, he said he will check it out soon. Do you have the same username there? I will have him look for you.

     

    Susan, does you son like it down there? I hear they have some really nice beaches down there and the weather is pretty nice all year round too....

  • ActiveDutyCTN

    CTNDepper, I wasn't stationed at Corry as a student, but knew a few while I was stationed at NAS Pensacola (about 3 miles down the road) and then cross-rated into the CTN rate.  I lived in familiy housing on Corry.

    As a student he is able to have those very much needed things (Xbox, computer, etc...).  I probably wouldn't worry about the TV though.  The rooms are like college dorms with two to a room.

    And as for orders, it depends on where the students end up as far as ranking at the end of class that determines how "close" to their dream sheets they get.  Those at the very top will more than likely go where they desire - if the Navy has billets to fill there - then work down the class ranking from there.  Of course, not always the case, and how far down the list the orders get matched up with wishes depends on current manning levels.

  • ActiveDutyCTN

    Hope that last post made sense.  These current shifts are a little tiring and as I am re-reading what I wrote...yeah...hope that made sense.
  • Craig

    CTNdepper - The rooms are small, they have 3 sailor sharing one room so you can't have a bunch of stuff.  

    Here is a set of pictures of the rooms at Corry:

    http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ctratemoms/forum/topics/what-would...

     

    Here's a slide show I made of Corry....

    click on the photo to stop them...

     


    Corry Station Base Photos Slideshow: Craig’s trip to PensacolaFloridaUnited States was created by TripAdvisor. See anotherPensacola slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.
  • Craig

    All,
    You guys know how I am, I don't ask for nothing. Well today I am...

    The Naval dental office in Denver is in competition with local civilian dental offices for a holloween pumpkin contest. Advance Orthodontics is the sponsor of the contest.  The deadline is Oct 14th. Winning gives the Navy alot of publicity and positive exposure. So, being a Navy guy, we have to win! 

    I would like you guys to vote for our pumpkin (Dracula with braces), and help us win!

    It's easy, just go to facebook and press "Like".....

    Go Navy!

     

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=202353743166339&set=a.20...

  • lisab4

    My son is waiting for A school to begin in Monterrey. Are there other moms etc whose kids are at Monterrey? Thanks
  • lisab4

    We just found out that after A School in Monterrey, he will go to Maryland. Does anyone  have any info  etc on this?
  • Craig

    lisab - We are a great bunch of people here, but I think you should probably be in the CTI group.  We don't have CTN's in Monterrey. 

    Here is the link to the CTI group:

    http://www.navyformoms.com/group/cti

  • ekauwe

    one month and counting before going into bootcamp... recruiter seems preoccupied and cant answer any of my questions in the last three months.  for the PFT is it a 500 yard swim and a 1.5 mile run? (along with situps and pushups) on the navy website it gives the times for the age groups for the 500 yard swim and 1.5 mile run but it seems that none of the people that I know have heard of the 500 yard swim. thanks
  • prov2324mom

    I believe the swim is just for certain Spec Ops candidates? SEAL and SWCC for sure. Once at boot camp I think they have to swim some but I'm not sure there's a time to be made. My son was SEAL so his division had to swim a lot but the others had to show they could at least get from one side of the pool to the other.
  • Chimelle 3/149

    There is a swim test you'll have to pass. I googled the requirements when my son was at RTC. Let's see if I can find them again for you.
  • Chimelle 3/149

    Found it. I think you have until the end of RTC to pass it. My son was in Scouts and it's comparable to the Swimming merit badge requirements, which helped him pass the first time.

    http://www1.villanova.edu/content/villanova/artsci/nrotc/incoming_s...

  • ekauwe

    thank you @Chimelle just wanted to make sure because I've been trying to get my 500 yard swim under 6.30 (currently 6.45) but looks lie i just need to focus on my running... and can't wait for Corry Station!
  • ekauwe

    also thankyou @prov2324mom just realized that Chimelle wasn't the only one with input.
  • Craig

    ekauwe - I am actually confused by your question.  Maybe your recruiters are confused too.. 

     

    I think your asking if you can do the swim instead of the run in boot camp.  No, you can't.  You must do the run.  In boot camp you must Satisfactory Medium to pass.  In the fleet you can get as low as Probationary.

    When you finally get to the fleet, the Navy we have two types of swim test for the PFA.  The 500 yard, or the 450 meter.  The command doesn't have to let you do the swim, but will usually allow it as long as there is a pool available either on base or in the civilian world.  

     

    Here is the Navy PFA manual:  Look at page 8 also at starting at page A-1.

    Navy PFA rule book

    Remember that the PFA rule book is the most changed document in the Navy.  It changes like twice a year.  Always new rules and requirements.  So you need to look at the lastest rule change here:

    NAVADMIN 203/11

     

    Lastly, I love helping deppers understand the Navy.  Have you joined NavyDEP.com?  It's a good website, (but I hear the admin guy is a real dick).    Oops, thats me....