CTR - Cryptologic Technician

Cryptologic Technician - Collection (CTR)
By Rod Powers, About.com


CTRs perform a variety of duties worldwide at numerous overseas and stateside shore commands, aboard surface ships, aircraft and submarines. Duties include performing collection, analysis and reporting on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted communications equipment, video display terminals and electronic/magnetic tape recorders.

What They Do:

The duties performed by CTRs include: providing in-depth analysis on a variety of complex digital communications signals using sophisticated communications equipment and computer technology to provide critical intelligence information; providing analysis and technical guidance and targeting information to weapons systems while assigned to ships and submarines; possible assignment to a three-year tour of duty to selected ships homeported at Norfolk, Va., Mayport, Fla., San Diego, CA., Everett, WA, Hawaii and Japan or to P-3 aircraft based in Rota, Spain, Misawa, Japan and Whidbey Island, WA. operating sophisticated state-of-the-art strategic and tactical signals collection and analysis systems; locating ships, aircraft and submarines using sophisticated direction finding technology; originating reports and briefs for operational commanders both ashore and afloat

ASVAB Score:

VE+AR=109

Other Requirements:

Must have normal hearing. Security Clearance, (SECRET) required. Must be a U.S. Citizen .

Notes: SSBI originated at RTC (Boot Camp). Both the applicant and his/her immediate family members must be U.S. citizens. A waiver for U.S. citizenship requirement for immediate family may exist due to a compelling need. Only DONCAF may authorize this based on CT ECM's recommendation for severely undermanned CT branches. Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying. Personal security screening interview will be conducted by a Naval Security Group Command special representative. Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible. Must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED, CPT, home study or other equivalency). If not a diploma graduate, applicant must provide a high school transcript verifying successful completion of the 10th grade.

Technical Training Information: Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of this rating through formal Navy schooling. Advanced computer technical training is available in this rating as part of normal career development.


Correy Station, FL -- 114 calendar days

Working Environment:

CTR functions are performed indoors at various shore activities and aboard ships, submarines or aircraft. Personnel may expect a clean, orderly working space, frequent