Cryptologic Technician Collection	CTR
	Cryptologic Technicians control the flow of messages and information and also conduct Electronic Warfare. Their work depends on their special branch: CTAs or Administration Cryptologic Technicians (As of 01 OCT 07 CTA merged with the YN rating) perform administrative and clerical duties that control access to classified material. CTIs or Interpretive Cryptologic Technicians handle radiotelephone communications and foreign language translation. CTMs or Maintenance Cryptologic Technicians maintain electronic and electromechanical equipment. CTNs or Networking Cryptologic Technicians handle computer communication. CTRs or Collection Cryptologic Technicians handle all Morse code communications and operate radio direction/finding equipment. Finally, CTTs or Technical Cryptologic Technicians deal with Electronic Warfare. CTTs are the first line of defense against inbound threats and Anti-Ship missiles. They also collect, analyze, and provide electronic intelligence support to commands throughout the world.

Rating Description

CTR's perform a variety of duties worldwide at numerous overseas and stateside shore commands and aboard surface ships, aircraft and submarines. Duties include performing collection and analysis of state-of-the-art communication signals using sophisticated high-powered computers, specialized computer-assisted communications equipment, video display terminals and electronic/magnetic 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 specialized 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 Misawa, Japan, Whidbey Island, WA, Fallon, NV.

•  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.

Qualifications and Interests

Qualities required of people in this rating group are good speaking and writing skills, a good memory, resourcefulness, curiosity, an adaptability to do detailed work and repetitive tasks, and an aptitude for arithmetic reasoning and record keeping.

The desire and ability to work with others as part of a team and to deal with ideas and information is also important. A talent in operating high-powered computers and electronic devices is also helpful.

Because of the nature of the duties performed, applicants for the CTR group must be of good character. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and meet eligibility requirements for continuous access to sensitive compartmented information (SCI). Eligibility for a top-secret clearance is determined by the results of a Single Scope Background Investigation followed by a reinvestigation every five years.

Recruiters can prescreen applicants and request waivers verbally when doubt of eligibility exists.

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 contact and coordination with others and close supervision.

Career Path After Recruit Training

Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of this rating through formal Navy schooling. Advanced technical and operational training is available in career paths at later stages of career development and occasionally at the completion of the 19-week CTR "A" school.

Class "A" Technical School, Pensacola, FL. 16 of computer fundamentals, security procedures, mathematics, signals theory, digital communications technologies, equipment operations, satellite communications and fundamental reporting techniques. 

Group-paced classroom (40 percent) and lab instruction (60 percent).

Following completion of basic CTR technical training, graduates may expect assignment to shore duty or sea duty in the United States or worldwide overseas in Spain, Germany, England, Puerto Rico, Japan, or Bahrain. Fifty percent of "A" school graduates get immediate follow-on specialized "C" school training; the remainder go directly to their initial operational assignment.

CTR - Communications Intelligence Collection Operator

Communications Intelligence Collection Operators operate signals collection equipment, systems, and antennas to collect signals communications for analysis to identify essential elements of information. Draft basic Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) reports and execute radio direction finding operations. Maintain cryptologic databases to gather additional target information and operating characteristics while protecting sensitive methods and sources. Supervise signals collection, analysis, reporting, SI communications and assigned personnel. Allocate SIGINT collection resources and adjust tasking as required. Draft cryptologic mission reports and emergency action plans. Conduct quality control and release of time-sensitive reports. Comply with classified information storage, transportation, and protection requirements.

CTR - Senior Collection Supervisor

Senior Collection Supervisors determine report-ability and urgency of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) information. Select appropriate supporting or refuting information for inclusion in a SIGINT report. Analyze SIGINT within target context, develop a SIGINT bottom line on which to base a report and select an appropriate story format. Develop relationships to mission requirements, operating procedures and communications target procedural identification techniques. Write a thorough, yet concise, SIGINT report and title in accordance with tasking requirements and other relevant governing policy. Comply with classified information and protection requirements. Supervise signals collection, analysis, reporting, SI communications and assigned personnel. Allocate Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) collection resources and adjust tasking as required. Draft cryptologic mission reports and emergency action plans. Conduct quality control and release of time-sensitive reports. Comply with classified information storage, transportation, and protection requirements.

CTR - Signals Analyst And Reporter

Signals Analyst and Reporters identify major SIGINT producers and consumers. Construct thorough and appropriate Tag lines, Requirements lines and Delivery Distribution Indicator lines and working aids. Recognize raw traffic and describe the main methods of delivering SIGINT products to customers. Select appropriate strategies for writing a report that gets reportable information up front. Comply with classified information and protection requirements. Conduct and supervise SIGINT signals search, analysis, target identification and reporting operations beyond the skills capabilities of Communications Collection Operators. Utilize cryptologic mission databases, computer-based analysis techniques, advance modulation, multiplexing techniques and coding theory to acquire, display and demodulate high data rate communication systems while protecting sensitive methods and sources. Perform fine grain analysis and reporting of known, new and unusual signals using multiple equipment configuration environments. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in UNIX operating system, advanced modulation techniques, digital communications analysis, advanced reporting and bitstream analysis to recover advance signal structures. Develop, evaluate and execute signal research mission plans including exploitation of satellite very small aperture terminal and cellular communications, phased carrier modulation analysis, advanced MODEMS, spread spectrum and computer networks.

ASVAB Score Requirement: VE + AR = 110

Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret (Single Scope Background Investigation Required)

Other Requirements

• Must have normal hearing
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Immediate family members must be U.S. Citizens
• Moral turpitude offense(s) are generally disqualifying
• Personal security screening interview required
• Former members of the Peace Corps are not eligible
• Candidates 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.

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NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan (Jan. 10, 2013) Ground crew await as an EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 taxis after returning from a flight during heavy snows at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa. VAQ-132 is currently finishing up a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kenneth G. Takada/Released)