CTN

Nope... the year my sailor went through boot and then A school was the most emotional I can remember. The ups and downs were incredible. Each test is a big deal and big deals deserve gushy celebrations in my book. Once it is all done we settle back down into the calmness. Gush away. Everyone here should understand!

Congratulations to your daughter robin. I was so happy when graduation day came for my son. He had been at BUDs in Coronado but dropped after pneumonia and getting a foot infection from a stingray sting. He was lucky to get into JCAC. He went from full throttle physical to full throttle academic. He worked very hard though and now he is at Ft. Meade and is excelling in(and liking) his job. Good luck to your daughter in the rest of the class!

My son is in JCAC which is set to graduate March 23.  But he has still not heard where he is headed next.  Does anyone have a sailor in this class who has heard where they are headed next?  I'm getting antsy waiting to know.

This is good.... It just came out today....

Cryptologic Technician (Networks) 1st Class (IDW/EXW) Ricky Durr is the only CTN aboard Vinson. Listen as he explains his role in computer network defense for the strike group.

http://cvn70blogspot.tumblr.com/post/18909412434/cryptologic-techni...

@ robin... my sailor failed one test... in the first month. that was a god sent since failing it taught him how to study correctly (didn't have to study to know the details intimately and be able to use them, but more to know and not forget all the details for the test) and to study each night whether he felt he needed to or not (since they were learning so very much at one time). that was his method, but everyone is different. and honestly, I judged how hard he thought the test was going to be off of the panicked "send out a prayer request" the night before a test. This request was from someone who was never particularly religious! LOL.So... how many requests did I send out? I'm thinking all but two tests (from the very end) got one. It is not an easy course. That said, his class had only one person fall back. Everyone else graduated together. Just support her, and pray for her. She will do fine!

Hey all,

Sorry for being UA.  My daughter is in week 2 of boot camp and I spend a lot of time writing.  She tells me about 5 gals have no family writing them, so I have to come up with various letters to each so they have don't have the same letter to talk about.  

Secondly, this totally sucks, but CTN is really, really overmanned.  They are beginning to ask people to cross-rate to CTR when they submit their PTS.  This is not a good thing.  If this happens, they need to start researching jobs in the civilian sector that uses their skills as CTN's.  There is way more money to be made as a skilled CTN.  They need to starting thinking on their options.

Craig ... my son is in A school for CTN and is due to graduate 7/5. Does this also apply to him? He hasn't mentioned anything to me; he's in for 6 years plus 2 years reserve. And sorry, what is PTS? Thanks.

Thanks for clarifying this for me. I don't understand why more aren't taking civilian jobs either; supposedly they pay really, really well.  My son won't finish his 6 years active till he's 31.  He really wants to do DEVGRU but if he doesn't, I would imagine he will want to go into civilian life after his 6 years especially since he has a college degree.

basic, craig, basic training. boot=Navy ;o) About being over manned, my sailor tells me that the # of sailors that have cross rated INTO ctn will hurt them come time to test for E-5. That they have many years and badges more then our newbies thus will generally be promoted first. Not that they don't deserve it (they have paid their dues) It just is different than the E-5 testing from a short time ago. Or so i am told. 

ps... did your daughter get to keep her cell phone? 

sammy - Yea they keep their cell phones.  Originally I thought it was the stupidest thing ever.  But now, I've changed my mind.  The reason is they keep the cells locked up, and they can only use them when the RDC say it's ok (just like the Navy).  However, when the time comes their is no waiting to use a phone, they just turn them on and dial.  The RDC's can get everyone in & out within 20 minutes, everyone.  I totally think it's the smartest thing ever

Per the cross-rating.  Yea, it sucks for those that are true CTN's (ie the ones that came in originally as CTN's).  Their Time in Service (TIS) gives them a lot more points.  But where the cross-rating guys will fail is they are not use to the lingo or mission.  I think it will actually equal out for the test.  The reason is they cross-rated guys will do really bad on the rating related questions but will do great on the General Navy question.  The true CTN's will do great on the Rating related questions, and will do ok on the General Navy questions. So, I think it's kind-of equal...

craig... i went through the same thoughts when i heard about the cell phone. in the end, it makes it so much easier for all, but then, hahaha, those airmen don't get to live out the tradition of standing in line at the phone (they get patio time a lot more than SR's do). Bet she is liking not having her hair cut, too! 

good to hear you think the testing will be similar. I know with the new e-4/housing rule, mine will be testing for freedom from roommates!!!! lol he says his dorm is much worse than corry.

Can they make them crosstrain before their six year contract is up? I know my son told me he is going to hurry to complete his degree before his contract is up because they have been told that they will be asked to crosstrain more than likely. He is now considering PA school after getting out.  

Hey all,

My son just got to Pcola yesterday. Do they have wifi and can he have a TV?

Proudmom,

Do you know what side your son's barracks are on?  There's the CT side, and the IT side, and it's not split up by rate.  The barracks are laid out differently.

On the CT side, buildings have quads with one main room and four sleeping rooms.  The main room has a TV in it already, but from what I can remember there isn't any reason why they can't have a TV in their own room.  They might need to be able to lock it up, so a big TV wouldn't be a good idea.  I've never been in the rooms over on the IT side, so I can't speak to that.

As for WiFi, there were a few places that were hooked up, but if the students want WiFi in their rooms they need to get a contract with the local ISP, and I remember that being a pain.

Hope this helps.

D for Megan he is on the CT side. Do you know where they can go to get wifi?

It's been awhile since I've been there, but I think I remember there being dayrooms on each side that have WiFi.  If not, there are computers with internet access in the bowling alley.

Can a CTN get stationed in Japan? That is where my son would like to go but I read somewhere that they won't send a CTN there.

proud - He really needs to look that up himself.  You might want him to read this:

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

If he doesn't want to buy one, have him go to his career counselling office and log in from there....

Hello Everyone, I finally made it to this site. My son is a CTN, began his classes on May 7th after being on hold since Ap. 16 when he arrived.

Wow, reading through the msg. it looks like lots of sailors want to go to Japan, my son as well. From talking to our recruiter, he says if your sailor stays on top of his class (academically) he will have the top choice of going where he wants to go. It looks like my son has a good chance of going to Japan as well as others.

D for Megan, haven't heard about the E6/E7 status for Japan, hopefully it's not true and our boys/girls will have their choice.

Ok, need some help here... my son's bday is coming up and i'd like to send him a cake. Has anyone had this experience? If so, who did you go thru to order a cake? Not having good luck on this project :-(   HELP!

Rose

Rose - They only want E5 and fresh E6's in Japan.  If your close to making Chief they don't want you because your more focused on making E7, and E4's are just too fresh and don't have the experience yet.  

btw:  Wow, you are a great mom!  Usually it's just us dads that do the cake thing.  Truly the hardest part I've found is shipping the girl.  j/k

Happy Friday!  I haven't been on in awhile ... haven't had any questions or comments ... but I've been keeping up.  My son graduates as a CTN on July 6th and has gotten written orders - surprisingly (to me!) he is going to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.  This was the last thing I expected.  Anybody else familiar with being ordered to an AFB this way?

I'm sure he didn't, but he's doing the "I go where the Navy needs me" thing.  He said another classmate and two more in the class graduating behind him are being posted there.

Debbie, I just got back from there. It's called Medina Texas.  It actually is part of the Lackland Air Force base (LAFB).  It's on the west side of LAFB.  

It's actually a brand new base that isn't on the maps yet.  I took these pictures just last week.

The Site:

The Site:

The Site:

The Site:

The Galley:

The Galley:

The Barrack:

The Barrack:

The Barrack:

btw: Click on pictures to make bigger...

Thanks, Craig!  So it's a good thing (?).  I was taken aback at him being assigned at an Air Force base ... expected Norfolk or Ft. Meade, etc.  How does the Navy make decisions about where to post sailors anyway?

P.S.  Is that Air Force One or Air Force Two in the last pic?

They really don't call them Navy or Air Force bases now.  They are Joint Service Bases.  It just happens to be connected to Lackland.  The parent command is the Navy.  

His orders are base on the needs of the Navy.  They have to have a billet there for him to go there.  NIOC Medina is one of the top 5 cryptologic bases.  You have Ft Meade, NIOC Georgia, NIOC Hawaii, NIOC Pensacola, NIOC Medina.

He best make dang sure he brings a car there.  You are out in the middle of now-where land.  He will go crazy not having a car.  

I'm not 100% positive on the background of the plane.  But I believe it's part of the WHCA.  I will ask some friends of mine.  http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=43156

http://www.lackland.af.mil/nioctexas/index.asp

Thanks!  He doesn't have a car, he'll have to work on getting one there.

debbie, please tell your sailor to only go through USAA for a car loan... the dealers around the base often soak them with an unreal interest rate. USAA is amazing and so good to work with. heck, my sailor loves the phone app... deposits checks with a photo, can monitor his TSP investments, etc. (oops... got a little off track). we were at lackland last summer. it does get mighty hot! lol.

I totally agree with sammy.  He will spend a fortune in taxi fares trying to get to the dealership.  This base is in the middle of nowhere. My daughter is at Fort Sam Houston (in San Antonio).  Just to take the cab from the base to downtown (about 10 minutes away) is $50.  So for him to even get to the closest car dealership he's out at least $50.  

If it was me, then I would have him buy some clunker in Pensacola.  Drive it to San Antonio.  He'd get the POV travel cost and have something when he got there

I think the closest business is probably 5 miles away? I think it's a 7/11.  Just guessing....

Craig:  my son (the one going to Lackland) graduates as a CTN this Friday.  He has been asking about his plane tickets for at least a week, and I warned him about what you had said about going around just buying tickets.  He planned to come home to Cleveland on leave from Friday until 7/23 and then go to Texas.  He knows that the portion of the trip to come home is his responsibility.  BUT...today he was told he won't get his tickets till Friday - the day he's supposed to leave - so how is he supposed to even try and book the portion of his trip home?  It cost him a fortune to come home at Christmas because he had to report to Pcola right from Great Lakes before coming home.  This was his comment:  "Navy: bad news is we don't have your plane ticket yet and prob won't until Friday. BUT, thankfully, the bad news is that once u get them you have to re-route to home yourself and we don't know how much it will cost."   I think I'm going to tell him to go on to Texas and try and get leave later when the flight will be cheaper (Southwest is cheap from San Antonio to Cleveland).  Any thoughts?  He's beyond mad!

Debbie - Did he tell them that his travel arraignment is to go from P-cola, to his home of record (or wherever his leave place is), then onto San Antonio?  The reason I ask is then it's not his problem, it's Sato's.  

If he didn't tell PSD, then if I were him, I would say "I don't need the plane tickets, I just need to know the routing so I can my arrangements".  If they say they don't, the he needs to ask to see their LPO.  If it's the LPO that is saying this, then ask to see the LCPO or get their name so his Chief can call.  

He really needs to talk to his own LPO or Chief and tell them about the problem.  Let them fight the battles, that's what LPO's and Chief's are for.  I use to love fighting for my guys.  Unusually I won, but I lost a few too.  It was actually kind of fun 

Just curious, did he ask for RAP duty (so he can get somewhat free vacation)?

Thanks, Craig ... I emailed your response to my son and said to let me know if he has other questions or comments for you!  Happy 4th!

Craig ... he doesn't know what SATO is.  What is it and where is it? Or can he contact you directly?

i graduate in three weeks and need some advice on how to move... i have verbals to fort gordon, GA and my wife is in Hawaii.  so it seems like a big move and would like to know ways on how to get the ball rolling.

Debbie - SATO is the official travel office on most bases.  Just have him ask who does the travel request when he's at PSD.  Like I said, it's usually SATO.

https://www.cwtsatotravel.com/

ekauwe - Like Branson said, just wait for the hard copies then go to your House Hold Goods office to arrange for your shipment.  Have your hard copies.  

ekauwe - I know this is way out in left field, but did you work at Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) in Kapoli Hawaii?  

Hi Debbie G.  I just joined NavyforMoms.  I stumbled across your post last Friday as I was searching the internet for information regarding the graduation.  My son is going to Lackland too and I think our boys know each other. It was good to read your post because it confirmed the difficulty my son was having in getting his tickets home.  He's finally here though and i get to see him today!

Happy Monday All!

ekauwe - Go to base legal and get a power of attorney for your wife to act in your behave to ship your Household goods.  She will go the the HHG office in Hawaii and set up everything.  They will also ship your car at Pearl Harbor.  You also need to go the the HHG office and they can do almost everything electronically.

They will pay you to go pick up your car at the port you requested.  

Read this:

http://www.transcom.mil/dtr/part-iv/dtr_part_iv_app_k_1.pdf

and this;

https://www.whereismypov.com/

btw:  You never answered my question below. Did you work at NFCU?

Recommend you ship your vehicle soonest. It's going to take some time to arrive in the Southeast. As stated below, you will need power attorney and this is something your husband will need to take care of.

Wow, what a day....

My son just flew out this morning after completing his leave.  Last night he and a friend were going to go out to be the 1st ones to attend the premier of the The Dark Knight Rises movie.  They wanted the 1st showing at midnight, but it was sold out.  So they got the 3am showing.  The theater which is 5 miles from my house is the one with today's shooting.  Talking about freaking me out....  He actually came running up to my bedroom and told me to watch the tv immediately.  Holy crap...  

God was looking out for my family today....  

Prayers to all victims of this senseless act, especially to the 2 Air Force and 1 Navy member (probably a CT)  from my base that were shot.....  God bless them all....

Craig 

Oh my Craig. So glad your son is safe but praying for those who were killed.

What a senseless act.