Cryptologic Technician Collection Chief (Retired) Terence Lee Sadler enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 15 June 1983 under the Delayed Entry Program, following graduation from Good News Academy, St. Landry, Louisiana. He entered active duty on 26 March 1984 at the Military Entrance Processing Station, Shreveport, Louisiana, reporting to Recruit Training Center Orlando, Florida. CTRC Sadler retired from the United States Navy on 31 March 2004 after 20 years of distinguished active service. Following his naval retirement, he continued to serve the nation as a Department of the Army civilian employee for an additional 21 years, retiring on 30 September 2025. His combined military and federal civilian service spans more than 42 years of dedicated service to the United States.

***Made lifelong friends, met his wife, and traveled the world! Ok…mostly Japan***

UNITED STATES NAVY ACTIVE SERVICE – 26 March 1984 to 31 March 2004

1984 – Recruit Training Center, Orlando, Florida.

1984 – Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida. Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR) Class “A” School. Enrolled June 1984; completed October 1984.

1984–1987 – Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA), Misawa, Japan. Served initially as a Collection Operator in 51 Division, then transferred to 57 Division (Direct Support) for 18 months. Deployed in direct cryptologic support of Fleet units aboard the following ships:

  • USS Midway (CV-41) – November 1985
  • USS Reeves (CG-24) – January 1986
  • USS Francis Hammond (FF-1067) – June 1986
  • USS William H. Standley (CG-32) – October 1986
  • USS Midway (CV-41) – January 1987

Advanced from Seaman (CTRSN) to Petty Officer Third Class (CTR3) and Petty Officer Second Class (CTR2) during this tour.

1987 – Naval Technical Training Center Detachment (NAVTECHTRACENDET), Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. CTR Fleet Analysis and Reporting Course (“C” School), 14 weeks. Awarded Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 9118, Analysis and Reporting Specialist.

1987–1991 – Naval Security Group Activity (NAVSECGRUACT), Hanza, Okinawa, Japan. Served as Watch Section Block Analyst, Processing and Reporting (PANDR) Division Supervisor, and Operations Watch Chief. Advanced to Petty Officer First Class (CTR1), effective January 1990. Awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

1991–1995 – Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA), Misawa, Japan. Served as Processing and Reporting (PANDR) Division Watch Analyst, Senior Watch Analyst, and Division Leading Petty Officer. Managed a 14-member analytical section providing time-sensitive tactical and technical reporting in support of Fleet and national-level consumers. Awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Award).

1995 (TDY) – National Security Agency/National Cryptologic School, Fort Meade, Maryland. Operator Technology for Satellite Communications Course (EC-250), 280 hours. Awarded NEC 9152, Satellite Communications Operator/Technician.

1995–1998 – Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA), Sugar Grove, West Virginia. Served as Operations Watch Chief and Timberline Division Leading Petty Officer/Collection Chief. Advanced to Chief Petty Officer (CTRC), effective January 1998. Awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Stars in lieu of 3rd and 4th Awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

1998–2001 – Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA), Misawa, Japan. Served as Command Training Officer and Command Support Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. Responsible for Advancement-In-Rate training, command indoctrination, General Military Training, and professional development for more than 300 command personnel. Awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of 6th Award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Award).

2001–2004 – Naval Security Group Activity (NAVSECGRUACT), Yokosuka, Japan. Served as N7 Readiness and Training Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Cryptologic Readiness Group (CRG) Division Leading Chief Petty Officer, and Information System Security Manager (ISSM). Led a team of nine instructors providing cryptologic readiness and professional development training to 232 afloat and ashore Sailors from 12 commands in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM requirements. Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland, December 2002.

On 31 March 2004, CTRC Sadler transferred to the Fleet Reserve after 20 years of active naval service. He subsequently transferred to the United States Navy Retired List, effective 1 July 2013.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIAN CAREER – May 2004 to September 2025

Following retirement from the United States Navy, Mr. Sadler continued to serve the nation as a Department of the Army civilian employee for an additional 21 years, leveraging his extensive cryptologic and intelligence expertise in a variety of senior leadership roles.

May 2004 – March 2016 – Special Security Officer, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, Louisiana. Managed all aspects of the Special Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and special access program security for the premier Army combat training center.

March 2016 – June 2021 – Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G2), Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, Louisiana. Served as the senior intelligence officer, directing all intelligence and security operations in support of the JRTC’s combat training mission.

June 2021 – March 2025 – Battalion Security Officer, 78th Signal Battalion, Okinawa, Japan. Served as the primary security authority for a forward-deployed signal battalion, managing all personnel, physical, and information security programs throughout the Pacific theater area of operations.

March 2025 – 30 September 2025 – Assistant Chief of Staff (G2), Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk), Louisiana. Served as the senior intelligence officer, directing all intelligence and security operations in support of the JRTC’s combat training mission.

Mr. Sadler retired from Federal Service on 30 September 2025.

MILITARY EDUCATION

  • CTR Class “A” School, NTTC Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida (1984)
  • CTR Fleet Analysis and Reporting Course (“C” School), NAVTECHTRACENDET Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas (1987) – Graduated #1 of 10
  • Navy Leader Development Program (NAVLEAD) Leading Petty Officer Course (1991)
  • Operator Technology for Satellite Communications Course (EC-250), NSA/NCS, Fort Meade, Maryland (1995)
  • CPO Leadership Course (1998)
  • 2nd Class Petty Officer Leadership Course, NAF Misawa, Japan (2001)
  • Instructor Training Course, ATGWP Yokosuka, Japan (2001)
  • Information System Security Manager Course, ATGWP Yokosuka, Japan (2003)

CIVILIAN EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Arts in Communication, University of Maryland (December 2002)
  • Master of Science in Information Assurance, Regis University (March 2015)

DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

  • Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award)
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6th Award)
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award (4th Award)
  • Navy Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award)
  • Navy Good Conduct Medal (5th Award)
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (15th Award)
  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2nd Award)
  • Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal
  • Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

NAVY ENLISTED CLASSIFICATIONS (NEC)

  • NEC 9118 – Analysis and Reporting Specialist (CTR “C” School, 1987)
  • NEC 9137 – Collection Operator (1991)
  • NEC 9152 – Satellite Communications Operator/Technician (EC-250 Course, 1995)
  • NEC 9138 – Journeyman Analysis and Reporting Specialist (2001)
  • NEC 9502 – Instructor (2001)
  • NEC 2779 – Information System Security Manager (2003)

CTRC Terence Lee Sadler, USN (Ret.) – 42 Years of Service to the Nation