I remember this well, working the mat shop as a GS doing CTM work with active duty CTM’s. The fallout was devastating to these folks. More than one went out of the Navy crying, and I mean cry. Their chances for promotion gone, some moved into other ratings, but were too far along in their careers to promote in their new rate. I know the feeling as a TD who suffered the same fate.
I noted several issues with the decline of the CTM community at the turn of the millennium, and how much of our community was trained to maintain equipment that was replaced by automated diagnostic, plug n play assemblies.
The issues became fewer hours of intensive, thorough training for students becoming CTMs, fewer opportunities for actual CTMs to work on equipment as much of the projects installed on ships were straight out of DOD contract developers. I worked for one such company – and the maintenance and repair was just barely something a technician would have scope to maintain. While contractors provided most of the support to these systems, the technician who was worth her salt, would go obtain engineering credentials and work for the contractor or the DOD. In 2009, I co-authored the program to disestablish the Reserve CTM rating, under direction of 10th Fleet. Had to find other ratings for folks to switch that were growing. But glad to see that the need never went away. CTMCS(SW) Ret. CTM -forever
It always amazed me what a difference a good CTM could make afloat. Like night and day. Had one who qualified CSOOW and even stood some watches in Combat. Knew that ship inside and out.
The problems of depending on ET or IT assistance to respond to SSES maintenance were evident immediately when this cost savings debacle was rolled out. CTM is/was one of the best ratings in our Navy with solid foundation for civilian opportunity after discharge. Got to make you proud to know that the CTM rate rose from the near dead when the realization hit that this would not work. Not sure what remnants of the Naval Security Group still exist within the Information Warfare Community (Or even what is is called nowadays!). Sadly though many careers were ruined and folks moved to ratings that weren’t their first choice. On a positive note, it was good to see back in ’08 that the course was corrected but I’m sure the awards for the cost cutting idea were already on the street and in the Fitreps 😉
Lol @ Michael scott — it’s the same nowadays. People walk around with MSMs and LOMs for pptx deep solutions that either fail or never get implemented, and then we get left with out collective pants down and wonder why. But hey, make everybody feel good!
Glad this really stupid idea to disestablish CTM was disestablished. Regretably the CTO disestablishment continued.JackSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Station HYPO
12 August 2021 at 11:49
I remember this well, working the mat shop as a GS doing CTM work with active duty CTM’s. The fallout was devastating to these folks. More than one went out of the Navy crying, and I mean cry. Their chances for promotion gone, some moved into other ratings, but were too far along in their careers to promote in their new rate. I know the feeling as a TD who suffered the same fate.
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12 August 2021 at 22:12
I noted several issues with the decline of the CTM community at the turn of the millennium, and how much of our community was trained to maintain equipment that was replaced by automated diagnostic, plug n play assemblies.
The issues became fewer hours of intensive, thorough training for students becoming CTMs, fewer opportunities for actual CTMs to work on equipment as much of the projects installed on ships were straight out of DOD contract developers. I worked for one such company – and the maintenance and repair was just barely something a technician would have scope to maintain. While contractors provided most of the support to these systems, the technician who was worth her salt, would go obtain engineering credentials and work for the contractor or the DOD. In 2009, I co-authored the program to disestablish the Reserve CTM rating, under direction of 10th Fleet. Had to find other ratings for folks to switch that were growing. But glad to see that the need never went away. CTMCS(SW) Ret. CTM -forever
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12 August 2021 at 22:35
Pretty sure there was no accountability since the guy who came up with it is now a one star
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13 August 2021 at 13:59
It always amazed me what a difference a good CTM could make afloat. Like night and day. Had one who qualified CSOOW and even stood some watches in Combat. Knew that ship inside and out.
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13 August 2021 at 15:08
The problems of depending on ET or IT assistance to respond to SSES maintenance were evident immediately when this cost savings debacle was rolled out. CTM is/was one of the best ratings in our Navy with solid foundation for civilian opportunity after discharge. Got to make you proud to know that the CTM rate rose from the near dead when the realization hit that this would not work. Not sure what remnants of the Naval Security Group still exist within the Information Warfare Community (Or even what is is called nowadays!). Sadly though many careers were ruined and folks moved to ratings that weren’t their first choice. On a positive note, it was good to see back in ’08 that the course was corrected but I’m sure the awards for the cost cutting idea were already on the street and in the Fitreps 😉
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13 August 2021 at 16:39
Lol @ Michael scott — it’s the same nowadays. People walk around with MSMs and LOMs for pptx deep solutions that either fail or never get implemented, and then we get left with out collective pants down and wonder why. But hey, make everybody feel good!
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18 August 2021 at 16:01
Glad this really stupid idea to disestablish CTM was disestablished. Regretably the CTO disestablishment continued.JackSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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