Gone are the days of the Naval Security Group and it's ratings of CTI, CTR, CTA, CTT, and CTM. Replaced now by information warfare and its many facets. Gone is the uniqueness that once set us apart from the other niches of the USN. Spooks were always held to a higher standard than the Fleet and rightly so and we were always held in contempt by the Fleet for our "rider" status. Of course, these are generalities and a bit nostalgic on my part but I still shed a tear for the passing of NSG and it's many components and the great people that could proudly call themselves CT's.
Sorry, I did not mean to slight my CTO buddies!!! My memory is just not what it used to be. Forgive me all you communications guys that made sure my reports got to where they needed to be!!!!
As an old "O" brancher from the time we were still known as communications technicians, I too am sorry to see the Naval Security Group go by the wayside. Evan though I only did four years I still take pride in the fact that I was in the group.
Originally posted by gsta: As an old "O" brancher from the time we were still known as communications technicians, I too am sorry to see the Naval Security Group go by the wayside. Evan though I only did four years I still take pride in the fact that I was in the group.
Once a CT, always a CT, no matter what words were associated with the title. I worked very closely with the "O" branchers at each of my commands and never had lick one about getting any of my messages out (even when some probably shouldn't have... Hehehehe). Thanks sir for your service and devotion to duty!
to Exkorling "once a CT, always a CT ..." Point well made -- it's funny, after opening my second business 9 years ago, that the main part of my business logo is a quill (CTA)!!! It didn't dawn on me that there was a corrolation until another former-Navy (DK) pointed it out to me!! And most people still don't know what we did -- obviously we've all kept the secret well, as "they" haven't gotten us yet!! ("They" being the ones who told us that if they gave us all the information, they'd have to kill us.)
My fondest recollection -- that I pass on every time I can -- is of indoc my first week at my first duty station (squids with a bunch of airheads (air force, not to be confused with airdales (USN)), all of us "greenies" were told that we couldn't go downtown on Thursday nights as that is when the Red Brigade had their rallies, and if we went to town, they'd kidnap us and put us through torture. How's that for an impressionable kid from the middle of a cornfield??!!
I just joined an already I feel like I mised out. I busted butt to get into my CTR rating and somehow I feel late. Thanks guys. I look forward to what's left!!!
Hah. Good post. Gone too I guess is my old command "Naval Space Command" which for a time being turned into "Naval Network and Space Operations". And now.......deep six!
I wonder if they destroyed Corry Station while they were at it. A lot of people on this board probably have some fond memories from there besides me =)
Just saw this and sorry to see the changes. I was a Marine CTT, 1st Radio Bn. 1968-71 (Vietnam 69-71). I know things change but often with the Navy, I think not for the better.
My big question, IS NSG Gone? I served from 7-76 to 10-86. I wanted to do more but I had some medical problems. 3-03 I was finally awarded 100% disability from the VA. I'm 51 now. I was a CTO. My first tour of duty was in Tech Control NSA at Ft Meade. Back then we couldn't tell people we worked there. lol. Then I went to Outboard/Tacintel school and on to the USS America CV66. I had a ball on her. Then back to NSA for Combat Crypto Support. I went out in the field. Then back to sea to the USS Josephus Daniels CG-27. I read here that there is no longer a CTO rating. Is that true? Who does the work as a CTO now? I have always said that I had the BEST job in the Navy. I didn't fit in with the NSA crowd though. I'm a country boy, I come from a town of less than 150 people. I remember my Div Off on the Joey D made fun of me for listen to Willie Nelson music. In fact he sent me up the mask of the ship to chip paint and then turned on fire control radar while I was up there. The Doctors said that is what caused my brain tumor on my right temporal lobe. So through the good and bad of it, I still look back with PRIDE with my service to the Naval Security Group and my Shellback quals. lol.
to Exkorling "once a CT, always a CT ..."
