CRYPTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN (STRIKER) (CT)
The U.S. Navy cryptologic and information warfare cryptologic technician (striker) rating — CT.
OVERVIEW
Cryptologic Technician (CT) is the U.S. Navy's parent rating identifier for striker-tier Sailors entering the cryptologic and information-warfare community before being designated into one of the five CT sub-ratings: CTI (Interpretive/linguist), CTR (Collection), CTT (Technical/ELINT), CTM (Maintenance), or CTN (Networks/cyber). The CT designator is used in PRIDE personnel records during the security-clearance and aptitude-screening phase.
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 Sub-rating school 22–64 weeks after striker designation at CT-striker pipeline routes accessions to CTI / CTR / CTT / CTM / CTN A-schools at Corry Station, Pensacola FL based on aptitude and clearance., 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. CTs 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 CTs 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, CT 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 CTs DO
CT-strikers complete TS/SCI clearance adjudication, take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) for CTI consideration, and complete preparatory cryptologic instruction at Corry Station before designation into a CT sub-rating.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- CT-strikers complete TS/SCI clearance adjudication, take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) for CTI consideration, and complete preparatory cryptologic instruction at Corry Station before designation into a CT sub-rating.
- Stand watches and qualify on the rating's Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), maintain training jackets, and mentor junior CTs as required by the chain of command.
- Lead the CT 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
The Cryptologic Technician (CT) rating dates to 1948 (as Communications Technician), was renamed Cryptologic Technician in 1976, and split into the modern five sub-ratings. The CT parent identifier persists for striker-tier accession tracking.
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 (Striker) (CT) rating is overseen by the Enlisted Community Management (ECM) office at My Navy HR and the Center for Personal and Professional Development. Modern CTs 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 CTs remain central to the warfighting mission.
TRAINING PIPELINE
- 1. Recruit Training (Boot Camp)~10 weeksNaval Station Great Lakes, ILInitial entry training for all U.S. Navy enlisted Sailors.
- 2. Cryptologic Technician (Striker) PipelineSub-rating school 22–64 weeks after striker designationCT-striker pipeline routes accessions to CTI / CTR / CTT / CTM / CTN A-schools at Corry Station, Pensacola FL based on aptitude and clearance.Apprentice/striker training in the cryptologic accession pipeline before sub-rating designation.
TYPICAL CAREER PATH
- E-1/E-3Cryptologic Technician (Striker)Entry tier; cryptologic technician (striker) accession track in the cryptologic community.
- E-4Designated Petty Officer (sub-rating)Designation into a target rating with full A-/C-school qualification.
- E-7+Chief Petty Officer (sub-rating)Senior enlisted leader of the designated rating in the command.
TYPICAL PLATFORMS & UNITS
- Center for Information Warfare Training, Corry Station, Pensacola FL
EXAMPLE NECs
- No NECs assigned at striker tier; NECs accrue after sub-rating designation
- U.S. citizenship and minimum ASVAB VE+AR=109 (TS/SCI required)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Pass the Navy physical and medical screening
- Eligible for TS/SCI security clearance
- Center for Information Warfare Training, Corry Station, Pensacola FL
RELATED RATINGS
RELATED BASES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SOURCES
- Navy Cryptologic Technician (Striker) (navy.com)
- My Navy HR — Enlisted Community Management
- Navy COOL — Rating Detail