There are approximately 3000 sailors in the position of Navy Cryptologic Technician-Collection (CTR).
The Cryptological Technician rating is a community with many branches, and the Collection branch is one of these divisions.
These different branches deal with highly classified information, and the branches are compartmentalized and are unable to share resources.
This field is competitive, and Navy CTR’s are responsible for monitoring communication and operating advanced and sophisticated technology to collect classified information.
This position is in support of the national effort to gather intelligence.
Related Article – Navy Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT): Career Details
Navy CTR Requirements and Qualifications
To be a Navy CTR, candidates should have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Also, being a United States citizen is essential.
Furthermore, a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information security clearance is necessary.
Candidates should work well on a team, and possess good speaking, listening, and writing skills.
Ideal candidates handle detailed work well and have an aptitude for technology and mathematics.
To qualify as a candidate, the combined score of arithmetic reasoning and verbal expression, which is a combined score of paragraph comprehension and word knowledge, should be at least 109.
Training and Career Path
After the successful completion of boot camp, candidates attend Class A technical school in Pensacola, Florida.
This training is approximately 22 weeks long.
Class A training consists of approximately 40 percent group instruction, and the rest is lab work.
Navy CTR may find their commanding officer asks for additional training, especially Microsoft software related courses.
Although, many sailors seek out mentors and take advantage of the many classes and E-learning opportunities the Navy has available to further their career.
This field offers professional credentials and certificates that translate into the civilian world after the Navy.
Also, the training itself is applicable to credit hours towards a degree through the American Council of Education.
These degree-earning credits are essential for building an educational base that is marketable after the Navy.
Related Article – Navy Jobs List: A List Of All 71 Ratings In The US Navy For 2019
Working Conditions for a Navy CTR
Navy CTR’s are needed all around the world.
Therefore, you will find CTR’s overseas and state-side as well as on aircraft, submarines, ships, and attached to Special Warfare Units.
The work is often in an office or lab, but sometimes the work is completed in a maintenance shop or a highly secure environment.
Usually, Navy CTRs are part of a team, although it is not unusual to work independently with very little oversight.
The daily working environment is clean and orderly.
Sea/Shore Rotation
A Navy CTR can expect a sea/shore rotation of 36/36, which means 36 months are spent at sea, and the subsequent 36 months is onshore.
However, the second and third shore tours are 48 months in length at all pay levels.
Also, because of limited Sea Duty coded billets, E8 and E9 will now follow the 36/36 rotation.
Related Article – List Of Navy Bases In The US
Navy CTR Pay and Benefits
The Navy offers the same benefits for all enlisted members.
These benefits include low-cost health coverage as well as long-term care, dental, and vision, to name a few.
Also, this specific field offers a student loan repayment plan of up to $65,000 for those who enter the field with existing student loans.
The Navy pays based on rank and time in service.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2021 Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | E-1 | Seaman Recruit | SR | $1,785.00 |
 | E-2 | Seaman Apprentice | SA | $2,000.70 |
 | E-3 | Seaman | SN | $2,103.90 |
 | E-4 | Petty Officer Third Class | PO3 | $2,330.40 |
 | E-5 | Petty Officer Second Class | PO2 | $2,541.60 |
 | E-6 | Petty Officer First Class | PO1 | $2,774.40 |
 | E-7 | Chief Petty Officer | CPO | $3,207.60 |
 | E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer | SCPO | $4,614.60 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | MCPO | $5,637.00 |
 | E-9 | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | CMDCM | $5,637.00 |
 | E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Navy | MCPON | $5,637.00 |
Job Details
A Navy CTR is an expert in interception signals.
This expertise means the CTR will both analyze and report signals using highly specialized equipment.
Also, the Navy CTR identifies signals of interest to help locate worldwide threats.
Furthermore, those in this field provide tactical support regarding intelligence and information warfare support to all units.
Finally, the Navy CTR controls and safeguards classified material and systems for the Navy.
Job Reviews
The overall reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor show a general high satisfaction with this career.
Some of the negative remarks revolve around conflicts with superiors, last-minute changes, and long working hours away from home.
However, training opportunities were noted as being of value for Navy CTR as were promotion opportunities.
Related Article – Navy Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN): Career Details
Navy CTR Civilian Career Opportunities
There are several civilian occupations available for those who reenter the civilian world. Some of these positions are highly competitive and have a below-average growth outlook.
The jobs with very little expected growth include computer operators, computer programmers, and intelligence analysts.
However, several opportunities show tremendous potential.
Database Administrators
The typical wages of a database administrator are $93,750.
You will want a bachelor’s degree to qualify for this position, so it is ideal to position yourself towards earning this degree with the multiple opportunities available in the service.
This position is growing at nine percent, which is much faster than average.
In this position, you could expect to handle database performance and modify the software to improve performance.
Also, you will be responsible for security measures for informational systems.
Information Security Analysts
An Information Security Analyst can expect to earn $99,730 as a median income, but top earners can make $158,860.
An ideal candidate for this position has a bachelor’s degree and up to five years of work experience.
This positing is growing at 32 percent, which is exceptionally high.
In this position, you can expect to upgrade and monitor security measures that protect networks and information.
Information Technology Project Managers
Information Technology Project Managers can expect a wage of $88,550.
The growth in this field is expected at 10 percent, which is higher than average.
A bachelor’s degree is necessary for this position.
Also, a project manager is responsible for planning and managing information technology projects.
Conclusion
The position of Navy Cryptologic Technician-Collection (CTR) is involved in dealing with classified information and the collection of intelligence that supports our nation.
A candidate must complete boot camp, have the appropriate score on the ASVAB test, and have an aptitude for the field.
Also, an appropriate security clearance is vital due to the sensitive materials Navy CTRs handle.
Candidates will attend technical school in Florida after boot camp before moving to their assigned duty stations.
With only a couple of exceptions, the sea and shore rotation are 36/36.
Working conditions for a Navy CTR is considered clean, and the work is often done in an office or other secure location.
The pay and benefits are what is standard for others with the same rank and years in the Navy.
Reviews of current Navy CTRs show significant job satisfaction while in the Navy.
Also, civilian opportunities after the Navy are promising.
References:
https://www.careeronestop.org/
- Navy Reserve Pay for 2022 - March 20, 2022
- Navy Ranks And Basic Pay For 2022 - March 20, 2022
- Delayed Entry Program (DEP) 2022 Guide - March 20, 2022
Great article with good information.
Many times in the text,… CTR’s are referred to as; CRT’s !
All references to “CRT / CRT’s” should be changed to; “CTR / CTR’s”
Steve Morris
ex CTR1(AC) – 1964-1972
Good catch! Just corrected all of them, thanks again for pointing them out.
Rob V.
OMK
Founder / Owner