IWTC Corry Station Graduates Inaugural Navy Cryptologic Communications Course

Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station graduated 12 Sailors from the inaugural Navy Cryptologic Communications Course (NAV3C), July 16.

The new NAV3C is approximately nine weeks and provides E1-E6 cryptologic technician (collection), or CTR, personnel with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to conduct basic cryptologic and signals intelligence operations while operating tactical cryptologic systems.

CTRs serve as experts in intercepting signals. Primarily, their responsibility is to collect, analyze and report on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted communications equipment, video display terminals and electronic/magnetic tape recorders; exploit signals of interest to identify, locate and report worldwide threats; and provide tactical and strategic signals intelligence, technical guidance, and information warfare support to surface, subsurface, air and special warfare units. CTRs can also be assigned duties as fusion analysts – a role that involves taking intelligence data from multiple sources, effectively “piecing together the puzzle,” and generating a coherent intelligence product report to be used by decision makers.

“This course is extremely important to fix a large gap in CTR training both afloat and ashore,” shared Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Robert J. Butler, Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) CTR rating training lead. “Our current process only taught about 45-48% of current CTR occupational standards, and our rating has suffered because of this gap. With this course implemented, we will be better prepared to support our information warfare leadership in a strategic competition and against all endeavors throughout the world.”

With supervision and using technical references, CTR graduates are able to detect, classify, track, and report signals of interest/critical signals of interests; provide indications and warning to warfare commanders and national consumers; and support information operations in accordance with fleet and national tasking.

“The end state goal is that every CTR go through Communications Signals Collection Course 460 and then straight into NAV3C to become rated as a CTR. This will happen in Fiscal Year 2022,” added Butler.