Cyber Warfare Technician

Enlisted Sailors in the Navy Cryptology community analyze encrypted electronic communications, jam enemy radar signals, decipher information in foreign languages, and maintain state-of-the-art equipment and networks used to generate top-secret intel.

Their responsibilities include collecting, analyzing, and reporting on communication signals, utilizing computers and related equipment, and supporting the Information Dominance Corps in understanding adversaries and the battlespace during wartime.

Within Navy Cryptology, there are distinct focus areas with their own training paths and job descriptions. Each CT role works under Cryptologic Warfare Officers (four-year degree required) or Cyber Warfare Engineers (four-year degree required) – and potentially both.

• Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) – Experts in linguistics (Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian-Farsi, Russian, Spanish) and deciphering information in other languages. Responsibilities include collecting, analyzing, and exploiting foreign language communications; transcribing, translating, and interpreting foreign language materials; and providing cultural and regional guidance in support of Navy, Joint Force, national, and multinational needs.
  • Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT) – Experts in airborne, shipborne, and land-based radar signals. Responsibilities include operating electronic intelligence-receiving and direction-finding systems, digital recording devices, analysis terminals, and associated computer equipment; operating systems that produce high-power jamming signals used to deceive electronic sensors and defeat radar-guided weapons systems; and providing technical and tactical guidance in support of surface, subsurface, air, and special warfare operations.
    • Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN) – Experts in communication network defense and forensics. Responsibilities include monitoring, identifying, collecting, and analyzing information; providing computer network risk mitigation and vulnerability assessments; incident response/reconstruction; developing network target access tools; and conducting computer network operations worldwide in support of Navy and DoD missions.
      • Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM) – Experts in preventive and corrective maintenance of cryptologic equipment, networks, and systems. Responsibilities include installing, testing, troubleshooting, repairing, or replacing cryptologic networks, security systems, electronic equipment, antennas, PCs, data systems; configuring, monitoring, and evaluating IO/IW/IA operations.
        • Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR) – Experts in intercepting signals. Responsibilities include analyzing and reporting on communication signals with computers and related equipment; exploiting signals of interest to identify, locate, and report threats; providing tactical and strategic signals intelligence, technical guidance, and information warfare support to various units.
        Work Environment

Cryptologic Technicians work worldwide at overseas and stateside commands, aboard ships, aircraft, submarines, and with Naval Special Warfare. Duties may be performed in offices, labs, maintenance shops, secure spaces, or watch environments. CTs may work independently or in small teams, under Information Warfare Officers or Cyber Warfare Engineers (both requiring a four-year degree).

After 7–9 weeks of Recruit Training (Boot Camp), Cryptologic Technician personnel report to Pensacola, FL, or Monterey, CA, for formal Navy schooling in their specialty. This includes technical "A" School and possibly advanced "C" or "F" School.

CTI training – Class A School is two phases: Phase One at the Defense Language Institute (27–64 weeks); Phase Two is 12 weeks. Class F School is in Monterey, CA.

CTT training – Class A School about 17 weeks; some attend Class C School (~26 weeks) in Pensacola, FL.

CTN training – Class A School of 26 weeks in Pensacola, FL.

CTM training – Class A School about 10 weeks in Pensacola, FL.

CTR training – Class A School about 22 weeks in Pensacola, FL. Promotion opportunities are competitive and based on performance. Specialized training and experience may lead to credentialing and opportunities in related fields.

To learn more about training paths for the cryptology focus areas, locate a recruiter.

In addition to professional credentials and certifications, Navy technical and operational training can translate to college credit through the American Council on Education. Options include:

• Navy College Program and Tuition Assistance
• Post-9/11 GI Bill

A four-year degree is not required to join the Navy electronics community. Some programs have additional requirements; contact a recruiter for details. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance and possess interest in electronics and technology, strong character, good communication and writing skills, math aptitude, and the ability to perform highly detailed, highly classified work. Qualifications vary by specialization; contact a recruiter for details. General qualifications may vary based on service status.

Seniority level: Entry level | Employment type: Full-time | Job function: Engineering and Information Technology