CTN

My son is at Goodfellow AFB in Tx- C school- arrived mid Sept. Just got pinned today - promoted to Petty Officer 3rd class, along with several others from his program. They should finish mid Jan, and then will be going onto Ft Mead, Maryland.  In his case, A school in Pcola lasted around 3month, very short wait time to class up, and only about 10 day wait for C school to start. Anyone with info/details about Ft Meade?

So my son starts CTN school in a few weeks in FL.  I just wanted to know if its what you expected? And whats it like going to School in FL?

Wickwook, it's about 6 months long and fast paced.  Your son will be studying a lot.  They have after school study time with an instructor available if they need help.  If they don't keep a certain grade, the study time is mandatory.  They will have a little more freedom but have to earn it.  They are not allowed to leave base alone.  That's what it was like when my son was there (graduated June 2013). 

Hi there I can give you some insight on my Sailors experience. He really wanted CTN when he went to enlist but there were no slots open at that time (Reserves by the way).  His recruiter talked him into just enlisting into anything, which I thought he was out of his mind to do, but he did and signed a contract for Yeoman.  This was in July 2013 and he was scheduled to ship out in January 2014.  His recruiter seemed confident that he would be able to switch him to a CTN slot before January.  He waited in DEP and was just starting to consider another rate when suddenly the first week of September his recruiter called and asked him if he would be able to ship in 2 weeks…they'd just had someone with the CTN rate drop out.  Needless to say he jumped at the slot, and shipped to Boot Camp September 19th.  Fast forward to now and he is still at A school …..graduating finally in about 2 weeks!!  Its been a long journey.  

I have to say tell your husband to possibly consider CTR….mine says while he enjoys the CTN rate (its what he does for a living on the civilian side) he said that CTR sounds like its a much more fun job and a less stressful school (they are all at Corry Station together).  Just depends on personal interests I'm sure, but something for your hubby to consider.  Good luck!

Hi MommyNavyWife.  My son is currently in A school for CTN.  His experience was:  He graduated from college in May 2013.  He took the ASVAB in early August.  He really wanted linguistics but missed the score cutoff.  They offered him a variety of other options (really pushing nuke) and he opted for CTN.  He had to wait until January to go to Great Lakes and didn't "class up" until April.  He's looking at graduating in November.  

As an aside - my brother runs internet security for a state university system.  He told me that the people he hires that are trained the best received their training from the military.  

Thank you all! That's very helpful. What we ended up deciding, was for him to take the ASVAB, make sure he rates for CTN, and then go to MEPS and see what was available. We are currently waiting for his citizenship to come through (he's from Canada and currently has his green card) before he goes to MEPS. We decided he won't be willing to sign anything that day other than for CTN, and if they don't have that available, he'll either wait till a slot does come available and sign at the recruiter's office, or he'll sign under another job (like IT), and try to cross rate during DEP. If he doesn't end up being able to change his rating during DEP, he'll serve the minimum time in that job and then apply to cross train to CTN as soon as it's possible. CTN is exactly what he's wanted to do for his whole life, and he has a couple certifications in the field already. The recruiter says he's almost positive he can get him cross rated during DEP, so we're hoping that's legit. It's hard to know what is true and what isn't because I know they can be very manipulative, but regardless, we seem to have a plan in place for him to eventually get his CTN training even if it takes a little longer.

goarmybeatnavy did you go to Pensacola with him? I'm debating staying here (in MD) or moving myself and my 11 month old down there while he's in A school. It seems like such a long time, but I know he's going to be incredibly busy with school and needing to focus on that, so I don't want to be a distraction. I'm torn! If I stay up here, we would visit once a month.

I have a quick question regarding CTN and stations. My hubby and I, along with our daughter are currently stationed in San Diego. He was finally able to pick a rate after 2 years and will be going to school next week for CTN. I see in some posts there are stations in VA, FL, GA. I am curious about FT. Meade in MD. I thought I would like that but after researching I see the crime rate is pretty high there. Does anyone on here have any experience or thoughts on Ft Meade, or other stations? No specifics, just which one is a favorite. Thanks! :) 

charlestontracy- my son starts next week as CTN also, they probably will be in the same class

Hi all,

Anyone else's sailor NOT liking CTN school :(  Any suggestions or alternatives he'll have as far as selecting another "job".  Thanks

thanks momoffour, for the advice.  I'll keep encouraging him!!!

The CTN school is tough. I just told my son yesterday, that many people before him had graduated from the school and many coming after him would do the same. I just encouraged him that he was smart and could do it. His attitude would be a deciding factor on how he completed it and he can do this for 6 months.. I just keep praying for him and encouraging.

Thanks for all of the advice !!!

My son is currently in CTN school in Pensacola.  Do they find out where they will be stationed before or after graduation?  He already put in his dream sheet.  Any info would be appreciated.  Thanks

Did you guys see this? CTNSN Anthony Horton is missing from NIOC Maryland. If you have any info please call (410) 854-6464. We are seeking the publics help in locating Anthony Horton, member of the U.S. Navy. He was last seen in Maryland, walking alone with a bookbag. As of now that is all information we have, please if anyone has seen him or have any information please call 410-854-6464 (D. Horwitz) Please share this post, it would be greatly appreciated!

We all have loved ones whom we care about, whether we speak daily, or see seldomly, either way they are still loved. Please call if you know of anything that can help locate Anthony Horton.
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Thanks for the info clockard!  I have one more question if anyone can help.  For those who go to Maryland, what is the housing situation.  Are there barracks for navy personnel?  I heard a rumor that they live off base, if so, is there BAH?

Thanks!

Hi momoffour - thanks for the info.  Do you know if they get BAH right away or do they have to attain E5 first?  My son is currently E3 in Pensacola and not sure what his options will be.  Thanks for any info

My son entered the Navy as an E3 (college grad) straight to BUDS.  When he dropped out of BUDS, he ended up as undesignated in the fleet for over a year trying to get CTN.  Very happy he finally got it.  So he is finishing Pensacola, still an E3 after over 2 years.  His understanding is that he will make E4 when he reports to his first post, but that BAH doesn't kick in until E5.  But he has also heard that there is not a lot of housing for Navy at Ft Meade (being an Army base) so they may get a housing allowance early. Is his information what others have found in the past?  I know housing is expensive in Maryland.  Thanks

Thanks for the info, that really helps!

Hello,

I had a question about something my SR said in his recent letter from bootcamp.
People are telling him that CTN's aren't "real Sailors" because they never get sea "duty"
My son has been looking forward to going to sea. Is this true. Has anyone heard this?

Crimsonturtle,

There are some billets for CTNs on ships, but not many.  A former shipmate of mine just PCS'd to Japan for sea duty and she is a CTN.  It's likely that your SR will have shore duty for his first tour, but when he's up for orders for his second tour, he can keep his eyes open for a shipboard billet.

Hello All, I'm back. Its been awhile since being on this site. My sailor, daughter, went into the Navy as a CTN in 2010. She is currently stationed in Maryland.

Now I have great news...My son just joined the Navy and will be a CTN, also. He is currently in Bootcamp and his PIR is Feb 5. The whole family is excited and proud of him.

Just wanted to say Hello and hope everyone's sailor is doing well.

Hello Texasmom,

My daughter is at Ft. Meade. She was stationed there right after “A” school at Corry.

She was working at NIOC which she loved, she was doing CTN work, but then after 3 or 4 years she was moved to USCYBERCOM and she was doing no CTN work at all. She did not get to use her CTN knowledge at all. She was very disappointed. Over all she enjoyed the Navy. She will not be reenlisting; she will be leaving the Navy early 2016.

Thank you clockard, Yes, she was lucky that she did not have to relocate. She stayed at Ft. Meade just at a different duty station and responsibilities.

Texasmom, clockard's explaination should help you understand why my daughter moved to a different job.