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CTT Career Guide

Navy

CTT: Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT)

Career transition guide for Navy Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT) (CTT)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for CTT veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Familiarity with specific analytical software (e.g., Palantir)Civilian intelligence community knowledge

Cybersecurity Analyst

$95K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Security certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP)Specific cybersecurity tool proficiency (e.g., SIEM, IDS/IPS)

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Analyst

$90K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific SIGINT tools trainingUnderstanding of civilian communication protocols

Radar Systems Technician

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific certifications related to civilian radar systemsKnowledge of FAA regulations (if applicable)

Technical Writer

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Excellent writing and communication skillsPortfolio of technical documentation samplesExperience with specific documentation software (e.g., Adobe FrameMaker)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your CTT training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

CTT's constantly analyze electronic signals and data streams to identify patterns indicative of threats, anomalies, or specific operational activities. This requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to discern meaningful patterns from complex information.

This skill translates directly to the ability to identify trends, predict outcomes, and make informed decisions based on data analysis in various civilian roles.

Rapid Prioritization

In high-pressure situations, CTTs must quickly assess incoming information, prioritize threats, and allocate resources effectively to counter potential dangers. This demands a calm demeanor and decisive action under pressure.

The capacity to rapidly prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, and make critical decisions under tight deadlines is highly valued in many civilian environments.

Situational Awareness

CTTs maintain a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment, including the position of friendly and enemy forces, the status of electronic systems, and potential threats. This requires constant vigilance and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.

The ability to maintain a broad awareness of the surrounding environment, anticipate potential problems, and adapt to changing circumstances is a valuable asset in any role that requires strategic thinking and proactive problem-solving.

Adversarial Thinking

CTTs are trained to think like the enemy, anticipating their tactics and strategies to develop effective countermeasures. This involves understanding the adversary's capabilities, motivations, and potential courses of action.

The ability to anticipate an opponent's moves and strategize accordingly is highly sought after in competitive industries.

System Modeling

CTTs develop a deep understanding of the electronic systems they operate, including their capabilities, limitations, and vulnerabilities. This allows them to predict system behavior, troubleshoot problems, and optimize performance.

The capacity to understand complex systems, analyze their behavior, and develop solutions to improve their performance is valuable in numerous technical and engineering fields.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Financial Crime Analyst

SOC 13-2011

You've been expertly tracking targets, identifying patterns, and analyzing complex data to protect national security. As a Financial Crime Analyst, you'll use these same skills to detect and prevent money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes, protecting businesses and individuals from financial harm. Your ability to think like an adversary will be invaluable in anticipating the tactics of criminals.

Intelligence Analyst (Private Sector)

SOC 13-2011

You've honed your skills in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence in support of military operations. As an Intelligence Analyst in the private sector, you can apply these skills to help companies understand market trends, identify potential threats, and make informed business decisions. Your experience in handling classified information and working with sensitive data will be highly valued.

Network Security Analyst

SOC 15-1212

You're adept at operating and maintaining electronic sensors and computer systems, and safeguarding critical information. As a Network Security Analyst, you'll use your expertise to protect computer networks and data from cyber threats. Your ability to identify vulnerabilities, analyze security risks, and implement security measures will be essential in this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT) Pipeline, Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station

1,360 training hours34 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology and computer science.

Topics Covered

  • •Electronic Warfare Theory and Application
  • •Radar Theory and Analysis
  • •Signals Analysis and Exploitation
  • •ELINT Collection Techniques
  • •Computer Systems Operation and Maintenance
  • •Network Analysis
  • •Information Security (INFOSEC) Procedures
  • •Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) Tactics

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)40% covered

Requires studying information security governance, risk management, software development security, and cryptography from a management perspective. CTTs need to augment their technical skills with high-level information security management concepts.

CompTIA Security+60% covered

Requires studying more breadth across various IT security domains. CTTs will need to study topics such as application security, data loss prevention, and cloud security.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)30% covered

Requires studying hacking methodologies, penetration testing, and vulnerability analysis techniques.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare SuiteElectronic Warfare simulation and analysis software
Shipboard Signals Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment FSpectrum Analyzers and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) Platforms
Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M)Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Platforms
Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System (JDISS)Cloud-based Intelligence Data Management and Analysis Platforms
National Security Agency Network (NSANet)Secure Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Integrated Broadcast System (IBS)Satellite Communication Systems
AN/USQ-167(V) Data Distribution System (DDS)Enterprise Data Distribution Systems

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