Today’s Cryptologic Technician can trace their roots back to those enterprising Radiomen who taught themselves the Japanese Katakana code in the early to mid-1920s and established the first intercept station at Shanghai, China. During the summer of 1927, five Marines attended Katakana training in Shanghai and in September 1927 were transferred to Peiping where, under the leadership of CRM Dorman A. Chauncey, established the second radio intercept station.
The Marine detachment in Peiping performed the first known temporary deployment of Communications Intelligence personnel when two Marine operators, along with Chief Chauncey, deployed aboard the USS TRENTON (CL-11), and two additional Marine operators deployed aboard the USS MEMPHIS (CL-13) for the entire month of September 1928. Presumably this mission was to copy traffic from Japanese fleet exercises.
The success of these early intercept operations led to the establishment of a permanent school on the roof of the Main Navy building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC where especially qualified Radiomen were trained to intercept and analyze foreign radio communications. During the 12 year life of this school at least 176 (150 Navy and 26 Marine), enlisted radio operators received their training. The group became known as the On the Roof Gang (OTRG). Many of these graduates formed the nucleus of the communications intelligence operations in the Pacific at the beginning of World War II.
The early ratings involved in the communications intelligence arena were what we now identify as “general service” ratings. Prior to World War II the majority of these ratings were Radioman and Yeoman. The need for qualified communications intelligence personnel greatly expanded during World War II and by 1943 the following ratings were part of the complement of the activities under the cognizance of OP-20-G:
· Yeoman
· Radioman
· Specialist I (Punched Card Accounting Machine Operator)
· Specialist P (Photographic Specialist)
· Photographers Mate
· Machinist Mate
· Electricians Mate
· Telegrapher (for teletype)
Skills Re-Assessment
In August of 1943 an analysis of the activities carried out by OP-20-G was conducted and the first effort to establish a rating for Communications Intelligence Enlisted Personnel was initiated. The analysis identified several distinct kinds of work which were not provided for under the ratings assigned. These activities were grouped in the following categories:
· Cryptanalytical – Demonstrate the ability to use Cryptanalytic techniques and procedures.
· Operation of Special Machines – Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of one or more types of analytical machinery.
· Technical Research – Demonstrate the ability to solve practical problems in the specialized field.
· Radio Intelligence – Demonstrate ability to handle practical problems in specialized field of Radio Intelligence.
After review and establishment of knowledge requirements for the various sub-specialties, the Specialist Q rating was established in early 1944 with the following branches:
· Specialist Q (TE) – Technician
· Specialist Q (IN) – Radio Intelligence
· Specialist Q (RP) – Registered Publications
Note: Apparently the Operation of Special Machines and Technical Research sub-specialties were consolidated into Technician and, although not a part of the Communications Intelligence operation, Registered Publications clerk was added.
The Birth of the Communications Technician Rating
CAPT Holtwick, after serving as commanding officer of USS Plane was assigned to Headquarters, Naval Security Group as head of the Personnel and Administrative Department. In that position CAPT Holtwick is credited with establishing the Communications Technician (CT) rating in the Navy with it various branches for enlisted personnel.
In 1948 the majority of the wartime Specialist ratings were disestablished. At that time the Communications Technician Rating (CT) was established; the Specialist Q ratings CR, TE, and IN were incorporated into the CT rating. Four CT career fields were identified as branches:
· A – Administrative
· O – Communications
· M – Maintenance
· R – Collection
Although the CT rating comprised four distinctly different branches, the service member’s branch was not a part of the rating designator.
Timeline
In the 1956/1957 time frame, the CT rating was further sanitized when all the “General Service” ratings still serving in the Communications Intelligence field (Radioman, Teleman etc.) were converted to CT.
In 1960 two additional career fields were added to the CT rating: the Technical Branch (T) for non-Morse operations and the Interpretive Branch (I) to identify linguists. Prior to 1960 the duties assigned to the T and I branch personnel had been assigned to various other branches.
Effective 1 May 1970 the CT rating was further refined when the addition of the “branch” to the CT rating designator. The third letter rating designator was added to better identify and manage each branch.
26 March 1976 BuPers Notice 1220 announced the change in title for the Communications Technician rating to the below six Cryptologic Technician ratings. The purpose of this action was to bring the designation of the Communications Technician (CT) into consonance with the Warrant Officer (744X), Restricted Line (161X) and the
Limited Duty Officer (644X) Cryptologic communities.
· CTA – Administrative Branch
· CTI – Interpretive Branch
· CTM – Maintenance Branch
· CTO – Communication Branch
· CTR – Collection Branch (MM)
· CTT – Technical Branch (SpecSigs, Classic Wizard, OPELINT, TechELINT)
1991 – CTR assumed Special Signals and Morse code
01 Oct 2003 – EW rating converted to CTT rating.
The origins of EWs date back to World War I when the British used coastal radio direction finders to locate and determine the direction of the German fleet before the Battle of Jutland. Since, the importance of technicians rapidly grew through World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the war in Vietnam. In the 1970s the Navy began teaching radarmen and electronic technicians electronic warfare. Sailors holding the Navy Enlisted Classification to operate and maintain electronic warfare equipment were the first Sailors to be converted to electronic warfare technicians.
06 Feb 2004 – CTN – Networks rating established.
01 May 2005 – Cryptologic Officer Designators 1610, 1615, 164X AND 744X changed to Information Warfare Officer Designators. 1610 changed to 1810
01 Mar 2006 – CTO converted to IT rating for E1-E5 and 01 Oct 2006 for E6 and above
01 Oct 2007 – CTA converted to YN rating
2008 – CTM was disestablished and re-established the same year
20 Apr 2010 – Cyber Warrant Officer Designator 743X established
27 Jun 2010 – Cyber Warfare Engineer Designator 184X established
20 Oct 2015 – Information Warfare Technician Warrant Officer Designator changed to 781X, Information Warfare Duty Officer Designator changed to 681X and Cyber Warrant Officer Designator changed to 784X.
Source: CTRCM John “Gus” Gustafson, USN-Ret
Updated: Mario Vulcano
4 November 2015 at 11:48
Thanks for the fantastic post, Master Chief!
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4 November 2015 at 13:33
Excellent historic rundown. Thanks for the overview.
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4 November 2015 at 13:46
Thanks Gus for putting this together. I was a CTO, one of the first CTNs converted OCT 2004, and the first Cyber Warrant (7431) redesignated from IWO (7441) in June 2010. It's humbling to realize you and your friends were a part of an important piece of naval history, all while knowing that the current outfit of smart sailors are building it bigger, better, and with more impact – especially in cyber warfare. Go Navy!
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4 November 2015 at 13:55
Working in Bupers in the 1960s NSG Detailing I appreciate this post very muck. Thank you Master Chiel.
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10 November 2015 at 02:19
This comment has been removed by the author.
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10 November 2015 at 02:21
I believe the information on the disestablishment of the CTA rating is incorrect. They verged with the YN rating on 01 OCT 08, not 2006
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10 November 2015 at 11:56
Thanks.
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10 November 2015 at 12:02
From the original message (NAVADMIN 118/07):
“3. FOR E1-E9 ACTIVE DUTY AND E6-E9 SELECTED RESERVE/INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE OFFICIAL CONVERSION FROM CTA TO YN FOR RATED SAILORS WILL BE AUTOMATIC AND WILL OCCUR ON 1 OCT 2007”
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19 November 2018 at 17:42
Very interesting article, nice job. I would only add a small footnote to the ratings. During my service 66-70 I was a Communications Yeoman (CYN). And for a good part of my service I was a Crypto Supervisor at ComSubLant. It’s sort of a forgotten rate, only went to E4 and you had to become a RM or YN after that.
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7 December 2018 at 16:11
Chief, thanks for an interesting article. I’m a little confused by the time line for the different CT ratings though. When I became a CTR in 1970, all the CT ratings listed in the timeline as beginning in 1976 were already in place. In any case though, I’m honored to have served as a CT.
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18 December 2020 at 14:23
Proud to have served as a CTO at Galeta Island .
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31 May 2021 at 07:09
I was a ctr in the mid sixty’s. Stationed in Kamiseya and the Jimmy T. Went on two TAD’s and had a ball, I saw and did more by the time I was 23 that most people will see and do in a lifetime. Sure wish I could talk about it. Thanks Navy.
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13 September 2021 at 09:19
Cool..agree with you..I was,a ctr from ’56 to ’60..great duty. Trained at I beach, Ca..
Went to port l., then to Naples Italy and finished last year at Winter harbor maine..should have stayed in.
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23 August 2021 at 00:39
Great history of the CT rating. Funny how technology changed everything
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19 November 2021 at 23:04
I was a CTT trained at Pensacola and went to Kamiseya in 1968. Also went TAD twice and once went to a country we werent supposed to be in. I loved what I was doing and then was transferred to Washington DC to a billet that didnt do a THING. They moved one of us to crossing guard and two of us to key punch. What a waste otherwise I would have re-upped. Applied to NSA and they offered to send me to “somewhere in SE Asia and my wife could be in a nearby country.”
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3 March 2022 at 03:11
I was a CTI branch 1965 to 1969. We were Communications Technicians. Years later CT became Cryptologic Technician. A friend’s grandson just finished boot camp and will be a Communications Technician according to the grandfather, quoting him. I’m confused. Can someone help?
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3 March 2022 at 12:09
The grandfather is incorrect. The grandson will be a Cryptologic Technician. Today there are CTIs, CTRs, CTTs, CTNs and CTMs – all Cryptololgic Technicians.
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26 June 2022 at 17:40
Well done, Master Chief! Always curious about the specifics!
Gus,
Glad to see you are “still in there pitching!”
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12 December 2022 at 04:01
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but the CT rating badge at the beginning of the article is incorrect.
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14 February 2023 at 10:46
Ctr branch 1970 Winter Harbor, Maine. The CT rating badge is not incorrect. It is the one that was used back then
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9 December 2023 at 00:00
Hi Richard….My late husband was a CT in 1970 Winter Harbor, Maine too.
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20 August 2023 at 13:49
i was a CT stationed in San Miguel, Philippines. From there TAD to Phu Bai, RVN any history regarding this activity Det Alpha
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20 August 2023 at 13:51
Previous post. forgot to sign it. Richard Steiger CTR
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7 November 2023 at 18:27
I too am proud to have been a Marine “R” branched and Hindi/Urdu linguist. I remember those days in the Tunnel at Kamiseya arriving the day the US Pueblo was taken as well as when our EC 121 was shot down. After my 2 years there, I was sent to VN with the 1st Radio Bn. I was the Platoon Sgt and my last 6 months, then Col PX Kelly was my Commanding Officer, now of the finest Marines I have ever met. I am so fortunate to have been a part of this distinguished group. Happy Marine Corps BD to all and the best of health to you and your families always. Tom Hyde 2571/74
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8 February 2024 at 14:50
I appreciate the documented history of our very special profession. I was CTR 1964 – 68, Adak, San Miguel, PI, and two tours TAD to Vietnam on the Bonnie Dick and the Connie. Also sailed to North Korea when our friends were captured. The CTR rate was already established during my duty years. Proud to have served in such a valuable organization. Left as a CT2 in 1968
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