Cryptologic Technician Maintenance sailor

CTM

Cryptologic Technician Maintenance(CTM Navy Rating)

Maintains and repairs cryptologic equipment and systems.

AEFAdvanced Electronics Field

Overall

5.3/10

Burnout4.3

Lifestyle7.0

Civilian ROI5.1

Happiness6.0

Manning %2.2

$$$ Pay6.4

Quick Stats

Enlistment Bonus$25,000

Civilian Sector Transferability$48k–$75k

Advancement OutlookStrong opportunity

Manning %104%

Initial Contract6 yr active

Medical Requirements

✓Vision: Corrects to 20/20
✓No speech impediment

Security Clearance

Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information~$15K–$50K civilian sector value

Requires a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI), including interviews with references, financial review, and a possible polygraph. The process typically takes 6–12 months and is initiated during your training pipeline.

ASVAB Requirements

AFQT Minimum

Line-score options — meet any one

Who This Is Best For

Best for skilled electronics troubleshooters who prefer maintenance over analysis and want a top-secret clearance. If you'd rather keep the hardware running than interpret the data it collects, this rate offers the security clearance and technical depth that open doors to high-paying defense contractor jobs.

+Pros

✓Active enlistment bonus available
✓Strong opportunity advancement outlook
✓Strong civilian career transition

–Cons

Real Opinions

+Positive

✓

“Best decision I made was going CTM. The clearance alone is worth it, and the skills transfer directly to six-figure civilian jobs.”

r/navy|

✓

“It is a small group with a little over 800 sailors total. That keeps demand high for capable, motivated people.”

NavyEnlisted.com|

–Negative & Mixed

✗

“Be prepared for shore duty boredom and watch rotations. The clearance process is also stressful and takes forever.”

r/newtothenavy|

✗

“Due to lack of CTM opportunities ashore, it is common for apprentice and journeymen CTMs to work out of rate while on shore duty.”

Navy COOL|

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Recruiter vs Reality

What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.

🫡 Recruiter says

“You will work with cutting-edge cyber technology and get a top secret clearance!”

💀 Reality

Source: MyNavyRates research

The clearance is real and valuable, but daily work can involve a lot of routine network maintenance and help-desk tickets. Cutting-edge tech varies widely by command.

🫡 Recruiter says

“CTM has the same clearance as other CTs.”

💀 Reality

Source: sailor forums

True, CTM holds TS/SCI, but the daily work is electronics maintenance and troubleshooting, not intelligence analysis. The clearance still has great civilian value for defense contractor jobs.

Page 1 of 7

😱

Horror Stories

Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.

💀

“Destroyers are authorized two CTM billets but many are filled by a single junior technician. If the SIGINT systems break, there is no qualified backup. They call someone on another ship — who isn't physically present. This is the standard condition across the fleet.”

Source: usni.org|

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Real Opinions

+Positive

✓

“Best decision I made was going CTM. The clearance alone is worth it, and the skills transfer directly to six-figure civilian jobs.”

r/navy|

✓

“It is a small group with a little over 800 sailors total. That keeps demand high for capable, motivated people.”

NavyEnlisted.com|

–Negative & Mixed

✗

“Be prepared for shore duty boredom and watch rotations. The clearance process is also stressful and takes forever.”

r/newtothenavy|

✗

“Due to lack of CTM opportunities ashore, it is common for apprentice and journeymen CTMs to work out of rate while on shore duty.”

Navy COOL|

Page 1 of 3

Share your opinion about CTM

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Recruiter vs Reality

What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.

🫡 Recruiter says

“You will work with cutting-edge cyber technology and get a top secret clearance!”

💀 Reality

Source: MyNavyRates research

The clearance is real and valuable, but daily work can involve a lot of routine network maintenance and help-desk tickets. Cutting-edge tech varies widely by command.

🫡 Recruiter says

“CTM has the same clearance as other CTs.”

💀 Reality

Source: sailor forums

True, CTM holds TS/SCI, but the daily work is electronics maintenance and troubleshooting, not intelligence analysis. The clearance still has great civilian value for defense contractor jobs.

Page 1 of 7

😱

Horror Stories

Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.

💀

Source: usni.org|

Story 1 of 4

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Related Reading

Guides on picking a rate, ASVAB, bonuses, promotion, and life after the Navy.

Getting Started

How do you choose the right Navy rate for you?

Choosing a Navy rate means weighing your ASVAB scores, lifestyle preferences, civilian career goals, and willingness to deploy or go to sea. Start by identifying which ratings you qualify for, then narrow the list by what matters most to you.

Getting Started

What is the ASVAB and what scores do you need?

The ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test that determines which Navy ratings you qualify for. Your sub-test scores combine into line scores, and each rating has minimum line-score requirements. Higher scores open more options.

Career & Pay

Which Navy rates have the biggest enlistment bonuses in 2026?

Active Component (Active Duty) only. Per the CNRC GENADMIN dated 24 July 2026, the biggest source-rate bonus is $40,000 — Nuclear Field on FY26 ship dates ($75,000 EB cap). Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) follows at $35,000, then EOD and SEAL (SO) at $30,000, and Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR) and Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM) at $25,000. Special Operations Future Sailors who clear the elevated PST standards add a flat $20,000 EBPST. Most rates cap at $50,000 total EB. The Loan Repayment Program adds up to $65,000 on top, separately. Reserve component (SELRES) bonuses are governed by a different message and are not covered here.

Advancement Outlook

E-2 to E-4 Advancement Outlook

Time to E-4: 30 months total

E-1 → E-2: 9 months at E-1. Automatic
E-2 → E-3: 9 months at E-2. Automatic
E-3 → E-4: 12 months at E-3. Automatic

E-4 is automatic — competitive advancement starts at E-5

How to advance faster to E-4

Your recruiter can process you in at E-2 or E-3 on day one if you qualify. Every rung skipped shortens the path to E-4 by months. Official transcripts / certificates required at enlistment.

E-2 →Easy
2 years of JROTC completed. Easiest common path if your high school offers JROTC.
E-2 →Moderate
24+ semester hours/ 36+ quarter hours of college credit (below the associate's threshold). Roughly one full year of college.
E-2 →Moderate
Civil Air Patrol Billy Mitchell Award. Achievable with consistent cadet participation, but requires testing and leadership time.
E-2 →Moderate
Sea Cadet Corps — reaching the Sea Cadet E-2 rate (join by age 17).
E-2 to E-3 →Moderate
Boot camp leadership roles — roles don't auto-pin rank. Advancement comes from earning Honor Recruit or Hall of Fame at graduation (one award only, not stacked).
- Honor Recruit up to E-2 — effectively the #1 ranked recruit in your division (~60-80 recruits), one Sailor per division per cycle. Selection is based on cumulative performance across all three academic exams, Physical Readiness Test (PRT) scores, uniform and personnel inspections, military bearing, and peer/Recruit Division Commander (RDC) evaluations. Roles that typically compete at this level:
  - Assistant LPO (ALPO) — deputy to the LPO.
  - Master-at-Arms (MAA) — barracks cleanliness, standards, and discipline.
  - Yeoman (YN) — division admin, paperwork, and tracking.
  - Educational Petty Officer (EPO) — study groups, test prep, and academic remediation.
  - Religious Petty Officer (RPO) — coordinates chapel and religious services.
  - Athletic Petty Officer (APO) — leads PT and fitness assessments.
  - Mail Petty Officer — handles mail distribution and tracking.
  - Section Leaders — squad-level leaders below the division-wide roles.
- Hall of Fame up to E-3 — the most elite recognition at Recruit Training Command (RTC), awarded Navy-wide rather than per division. Requires exceptional performance in every training metric: top-tier scores on all three academic exams (typically 90%+), "Outstanding" on the final Physical Readiness Test (PRT), near-perfect uniform and personnel inspections, held a division leadership role with strong performance, and zero remediation, infractions, or negative marks across the full training cycle. Senior leadership roles positioned to compete:
E-3 →Moderate
3 years of JROTC completed (any service branch). Straightforward if your high school has the program — three school years of enrollment.
E-3 →Hard
Eagle Scout (BSA) or Gold Award (GSUSA) — the highest youth scouting awards. Typically takes years of participation and a capstone service project.
E-3 →Hard
Associate's degree (or 48+ semester hours / 72+ quarter hours of college credit, 100-level or higher from an accredited institution). Two years of full-time college.
E-3 →Hard
Civil Air Patrol Earhart Award. Uncommon — only a small fraction of CAP cadets reach this level.
E-3 →Hard
Sea Cadet Corps — reaching the Sea Cadet E-3 rate (join by age 16).

Ceiling is E-3 at accession — stacking qualifications doesn't push you to E-4 out of the gate.

Ways to accelerate E-4 after you're in

Hard
Advanced Electronics Field (AEF) ProgramAuto E-4 — CTM is on the AEF roster. Per MILPERSMAN 1510-030 §3a the full AEF list is ET, FC, FCA, RW (the "AECF" subset), CTM, CTT, MT, and STG. AEF Sailors are advanced to E-2 on Recruit Training graduation (§2b), to E-3 after 9 months TIG at E-2 (§9c), and to E-4 after A-school + any required advanced training + 6 months TIG at E-3 (§9d). Governed by MILPERSMAN 1510-030 (CH-94, 16 Mar 2026) and MILPERSMAN 1430-010. Requirements (§9d):
- All requirements for advancement in rate completed
- CO recommendation via NAVPERS 1336/3
- PFA / body-composition standards (OPNAVINST 6110.1K)
- Required advanced training complete
- Sufficient obligated service — AEF carries a 6-year OBLISERV (§7)
AEF is an enlistment-level election at MEPS / RTC (§2a). Fleet Sailors may request enrollment while at a training activity; conversion into an AEF-only rating auto-enrolls (§2a). Submarine-duty volunteers only (§3c). CTM advanced training may occur immediately after A-school or after initial shore duty (§4b.1.m).
Very HardMeritorious Advancement Program (MAP) — Command-nominated promotion that skips the exam entirely. Each command gets a small seasonal quota of MAP slots and hands them to the top performers based on evaluation ranking. Fastest path on paper, but you're competing directly with every other sailor at your command.

Rules can change — verify current criteria with your recruiter and in the latest Navy Recruiting Manual (COMNAVCRUITCOM) before signing any paperwork that assumes a specific entry paygrade.

E-5 and E-6 Advancement Outlook

Strong opportunity★★★☆

2 of 4 factors working in your favor · 1 working against you

▼
Manning
E5 104%E6 104%(E-5/E-6)
Community is at or above authorized strength. Limited BBA billet gaps — expect more competition and slower promotion.
Source: N12 Community Health Indicator brief (FY26)
▲
Initial Enlistment Bonus
Yes — active bonus
The Navy currently pays an enlistment bonus to new recruits who select this rate. An active bonus usually signals the community is short on accessions, which is the same pressure that keeps senior billets open.
▲
Overall Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) Outlook

Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay

All Active CNRC Enlistment Incentives

Active Duty

Source: CNRC GENADMIN 24 JUL 26 — effective Jul 27, 2026, contracts authorized through Dec 31, 2026 (NDAA 2026)

Active Component only. Reservist (SELRES) shipping bonuses are set by a separate CNRF incentive message — ask your recruiter.

Bonuses can stack up to the rating's EB cap; LRP is independent. Footnote numbers match the source GENADMIN.

Source-Rate Bonus (EBSR)

Earned at school graduation; only EB type that can be partially recouped.

CTM-AEF

Any

$25,000[2]

Loan Repayment Program (LRP)

Stacks on top of EB cap. AFQT ≥ 50, ~25% tax withheld, DD 2475 required per payment.

CTM-AEF

October–September Any

Up to $65,000[1]

EBSR Notes

2EBSR is earned and payable upon graduation from "A" or "C" school.

LRP Notes

1Future Sailor must access into Active Component and have LRP listed as a guarantee on their current Annex to DD Form 4 (NAVCRUIT 1133/52). The NRC LRP Manager approves prior to a new Annex being generated. LRP can stack with all other EB types up to its own $65,000 maximum. Applicants need AFQT 50+, must submit a DD 2475 for each payment, and roughly 25% of each payment is withheld for taxes (a W-2 is issued).

Cross-cutting Policy Notes

1Future Sailors with Tier 3 education credentials (e.g., HiSET / GED / alternative credential) are NOT authorized any EB.
2Prior-service members re-enlisting onto Active Duty must enter at pay grade E-4 or below, must not have received a bonus on their first enlistment, and (Navy prior-service) must have been separated from active duty for at least 12 months before shipping.
3EBHS (EB for High School) is currently NOT AUTHORIZED in this message — distinct from prior cycles when EBHS was offered.
4During lapsed appropriations, classifiers may still include EB on a contract if the DD 1966 carries the funding-availability disclaimer; payment is then subject to a future appropriation.
5Bonuses are paid in installments. Only the unearned portion of EBSR is eligible for recoupment; EBSHP/EBPST cannot be recouped due to post-RTC reclassification or separation.

Always verify with a recruiter before signing — eligibility depends on AFQT, education tier, security-clearance adjudication, ship date, and program availability. Funding subject to congressional reauthorization of 37 USC § 331.

How to qualify & get paid

Sign a contract for this rate at MEPS with the bonus(es) listed on your NAVCRUIT 1133/52 Enlistment Guarantee — eligibility is locked at signing.
Ship to Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes inside the authorized window — EBSHP and EBPST are earned and paid at RTC graduation and cannot be recouped after.
Complete A-school (and any required follow-on C-school or qualifying course) for your rating — EBSR is earned and paid at school graduation, except for the Special-Operations pipelines, which pay later (AIRR after FRS + first duty station; SO after SQT; SB after SWCC Charlie phase; EOD/ND after their respective A-schools).
LRP is paid annually upon submission of a DD 2475; ~25% is withheld for federal taxes, and a W-2 is issued. LRP must be on your contract at accession — it cannot be added later via reclassification.

Important details & disqualifiers

All bonuses on this page are Active Component (Active Duty) only. Reservists (SELRES) follow a separate CNRF incentive message — ask your recruiter.
Future Sailors with Tier 3 education credentials (HiSET / GED / alternative) are NOT authorized any EB.
AFQT score must be ≥ 31 for EBSHP and ≥ 50 for LRP.
EBSR is the only EB type that can be partially recouped if you separate before completing the obligated service. EBSHP / EBPST cannot be recouped after RTC.
Bonus payments are subject to federal income tax withholding.
EB-for-High-School (EBHS) is currently NOT authorized in the July 2026 GENADMIN — distinct from earlier cycles when it was offered.
Funding: NDAA 2026 authorizes contracts through 31 December 2026; appropriations cover obligations through 30 September 2026; max-EB authority extends through 10 January 2027 — all subject to congressional reauthorization of 37 USC § 331.
This rate requires a security clearance — failure to obtain clearance may affect bonus eligibility (and several special-operations footnotes explicitly require an earned NEC + clearance before payment).

You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)

Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.

0000Any NEC or no NEC (all qualifying Sailors in this rating)

Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)

🔴

First Reenlistment (17 mo to 6 yrs Active Duty)

$45,000

Max

Being Eliminated · effective 2025-12-18

🔴

Second Reenlistment (6 to 10 yrs Active Duty)

$30,000

Max

Being Eliminated · effective 2025-12-18

🔴

Third Reenlistment (10 to 14 yrs Active Duty)

$30,000

Max

Being Eliminated · effective 2025-12-18

C27ASubmarine Carry-on Equipment Technician

Lifestyle7/10

Ship vs. Shore Split

45% / 55%

Sea Duty Tempo

Moderate — 5/10

Physical Demand

low — indoor

Sea Duty Tempo measures how much of a career is spent in deployable billets — ships, submarines, deploying squadrons, and expeditionary units — and how often those units leave homeport. It is separate from physical demand: an administrative job aboard a deployed unit still deploys, and a hands-on maintenance job at a shore command does not.

Watch Standing

4-section watch rotation (8 on / 16 off)

In a 4-section rotation, the crew is divided into four teams. Each team stands a 6-hour watch shift, then has 18 hours off before their next watch. In port, you stand 24-hour duty roughly every 4 days — meaning you stay aboard the ship overnight on your duty day.

Watch stations often in climate-controlled spaces. SCIF access may be required for some watches.

OPNAVINST 3120.32D USNI Proceedings Navy Watch Standing Manual

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

“I was on equipment watch in the SCIF when one of our primary collection systems went hard down. No backup, and the system was supporting active operations. I had the technical manuals spread across the floor, boards pulled out of the rack, and was troubleshooting at the component level while the watch officer called for updates every five minutes. Found a failed power supply card, swapped it with one from a lower-priority system, and had the primary back online in under an hour. The collectors never missed a beat. CTMs don't collect the intelligence, but when the box breaks, the mission stops until we fix it.”

Veteran account (composite)

Story 1 of 4

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

Veteran account (composite)

Story 1 of 4

Common Duty Stations

Naval Station NorfolkSea

Family Friendly

6.9/10

Schools + spouse jobs

Base Housing Wait

10 months

Avg waitlist for on-base

Cost of Living

100 = national avg

Naval Base San DiegoSea

Family Friendly

7.9/10

Schools + spouse jobs

Base Housing Wait

14 months

Avg waitlist for on-base

Cost of Living

135

100 = national avg

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-HickamSea

Cryptologic Technician Maintenance(CTM Navy Rating)

Quick Stats

Security Clearance

ASVAB Requirements

Who This Is Best For

+Pros

–Cons

Real Opinions

+Positive

–Negative & Mixed

Share your opinion about CTM

Recruiter vs Reality

Horror Stories

Share a horror story about CTM

Real Opinions

+Positive

–Negative & Mixed

Share your opinion about CTM

Recruiter vs Reality

Horror Stories

Share a horror story about CTM

Related Reading

How do you choose the right Navy rate for you?

What is the ASVAB and what scores do you need?

Which Navy rates have the biggest enlistment bonuses in 2026?

Real Opinions

+Positive

–Negative & Mixed

Share your opinion about CTM

Recruiter vs Reality

Horror Stories

Share a horror story about CTM

Remarks

Training Pipeline — Total ~26 weeks (6 months)

Calculate Your End Training Date and Holidays and Events You Will Miss During Training

Career Progression Milestones

Advancement Outlook

Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay

You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)

Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes

Post-Navy Salary Trajectory

Retention & Burnout

Lifestyle7/10

Watch Standing

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

Common Duty Stations

Media & Videos

How does promotion work in the Navy?

Which Navy jobs set you up best for a civilian career?

Life on Watch — Sea Stories

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