CRYPTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN (COLLECTION) (CTR)

OVERVIEW

Cryptologic Technician (Collection) — CTR — is the U.S. Navy's Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) collection rating. CTRs intercept, analyze, and report on adversary communications and electronic emissions worldwide. The rating is fully integrated with the National Security Agency (NSA) and the broader Cryptologic Community.

The cryptologic / information warfare community conducts signals intelligence, cyberspace operations, and electronic warfare for U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, and Fleet Cyber Command / Tenth Fleet. All cryptologic ratings require a TS/SCI clearance, polygraph eligibility, and intensive language, technical, or analytic training at the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT).

A-school for the rating runs ~26 weeks at Center for Information Warfare Training, Corry Station, Pensacola FL, where Sailors complete the technical foundation needed to report to their first fleet command. Entry requires the ASVAB line score VE+AR=109 (TS/SCI required) and an enlistment obligation of 6–6 years. CTRs advance through the standard enlisted paygrade structure (E-1 through E-9), competing in the Navy-Wide Advancement Examination (NWAE) at E-4 through E-6 and via the Selection Board at E-7 through E-9. Senior CTRs typically serve as Leading Petty Officer (LPO), Work Center Supervisor, Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), or Command Master Chief (CMC), and may pursue Limited Duty Officer (LDO), Chief Warrant Officer (CWO), or commissioning programs such as STA-21, MECP, or OCS.

Across the active force, CTR Sailors are essential to the Navy's mission readiness, and the rating remains an in-demand career field with strong reenlistment bonuses (SRB), advancement opportunities, and pathways into Navy Reserve, civilian DoD, and industry careers after service.

WHAT CTRs DO

CTRs operate signals-intelligence collection and direction-finding systems, perform technical analysis on intercepted communications, and produce time-sensitive intelligence reports for fleet commanders. CTRs deploy aboard ships, submarines, P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, and at NSA cryptologic centers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• CTRs operate signals-intelligence collection and direction-finding systems, perform technical analysis on intercepted communications, and produce time-sensitive intelligence reports for fleet commanders. CTRs deploy aboard ships, submarines, P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, and at NSA cryptologic centers.
• Stand watches and qualify on the rating's Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), maintain training jackets, and mentor junior CTRs as required by the chain of command.
• Lead the CTR work center as Leading Petty Officer or Work Center Supervisor — managing maintenance documentation in 3M/MFOM, parts ordering, and personnel qualifications.
• Support general military training (GMT), damage control, force protection, and watch-bill assignments common to every Sailor regardless of rating.

HISTORY

CTR is one of the descendants of the World War II On-the-Roof Gang and the Cold War Naval Security Group. The Cryptologic Technician rating was split into modern sub-ratings in 1976 to align with NSA and joint cryptologic missions.

The cryptologic community traces to OP-20-G — the Navy's World War II signals-intelligence organization that broke the Japanese JN-25 code and contributed to the victory at Midway. Post-war the community evolved through the Communications Technician (CT) ratings, was reorganized in 1976, and again restructured in 2008 into the modern CTI/CTM/CTN/CTR/CTT specialties under the Information Warfare community.

Today the Cryptologic Technician (Collection) (CTR) rating is overseen by the Enlisted Community Management (ECM) office at My Navy HR and the Center for Personal and Professional Development. Modern CTRs benefit from the Sailor 2025 personnel-system reforms, the Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) training continuum, and credentialing through the Navy COOL program — turning rating qualifications into industry-recognized certifications and licenses.

The rating's structure, training pipeline, and operational employment continue to evolve alongside the Navy's transition to Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Project Overmatch, and the Force Design 2045 fleet architecture, ensuring CTRs remain central to the warfighting mission.

TRAINING PIPELINE

1. 1. Recruit Training (Boot Camp)~10 weeks
   Naval Station Great Lakes, IL
   Initial entry training for all U.S. Navy enlisted Sailors at the Navy's only boot camp.
2. 2. Cryptologic Technician (Collection) A-School~26 weeks
   Center for Information Warfare Training, Corry Station, Pensacola FL
   Initial cryptologic rating training for accessions (TS/SCI required)
3. 3. Fleet / Operational TourFirst sea or operational tour
   Surface combatants and big-deck amphibs (SSES spaces)
   On-the-job training and qualifications in the CTR rating with a fleet unit.

TYPICAL CAREER PATH

1. E-1/E-3
   Apprentice CTR
   A-school in the cryptologic pipeline; first tour with a fleet unit.
2. E-4/E-6
   Petty Officer CTR
   Lead a Cryptologic Technician (Collection) work-center, qualify in core watchstations and platform-specific tasks.
3. E-7+
   Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection)
   Senior enlisted leader of the rating in the command; instructor, detailer, or department leading chief assignments.

TYPICAL PLATFORMS & UNITS

• Surface combatants and big-deck amphibs (SSES spaces)
• Submarines
• P-8A Poseidon and EP-3E Aries (legacy)
• NSA Cryptologic Centers (Hawaii, Texas, Georgia, Maryland)

EXAMPLE NECs

• CTR-9168 SIGINT Collection Operator

RELATED RATINGS

• CTT · Cryptologic & IW
  Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
• CTI · Cryptologic & IW
  Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive)
• IS · Cryptologic & IW
  Intelligence Specialist

RELATED BASES

• Navy Base · MD
  Fort George G. Meade
• Navy Base · WA
  Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SOURCES

• Navy Cryptologic Technician (Collection) (navy.com)
• My Navy HR — Enlisted Community Management
• Navy COOL — Rating Detail