Hello,

I have read through all the posts on CTI, and I wanted to ask specific questions in order to help me and any other person looking at this forum, maybe a FAQ on the CTI rate. I will first start with question about crossrating to a CTI and then I will finish with questions on CTI's in the fleet.

1. Are crossrates generally accepted into the CTI rate? (having the specific ASVAB is already known.) IS taking the DLAB the first step in a crossrate?

2. What is the school like?
a. How long is DLI?
b. As a crossrater, will I have acccess to off-base housing while there? I am soon to be married.
c. Is it diffucult/long wait to be classed at DLI
d. What is the area around DLI like?


3. After I graduate DLI, any addtional schooling for CTI?

4. What are the orders like after DLI, and what is the shore/ship rotation of a CTI?
a. After DLI, will I have a choice of orders, are orders assigned on first come, first serve/needs of navy.
c. Will the language determine the area of the world I will go? ie Arabic means I will go to Baharain/Iraq, Chinese means Pac Command, ect.
b. Do CTI spend more time shore, or sea... example, as a MM, I have a 5 year ship, 2 year shore rotation.
c. For my own personal knowledge, becasue of the needs of my soon-to-be spouse, what is the likley hood of orders to a US shore command/desk job, or a command where my spouse can live with me at.

4. What is the advancement opportunities of a CTI?
a. NEC?
b. Secondary Languages?
c. General Promotions, E-3 -> E-4, E-4 -> E-5, E-5 -> E-6, E-6 to CPO and above?

5. Is the CTI rating marketable outside the Navy?
a. Obviously, multi-lingual is always good, but what are the opportunities to work in Civillian Intel/Intrepertation?


I tried to make these questions general, yet specific to people looking to join/crossrate to CTI. If these questions are answered well, i would recommend a sticky IAW the moderators!

Thanks again!
MMFN looking to cross to CTI

CTIs do NOT have sea duty. more like CONUS/OCONUDS rotations. there is something called DIRSUP..where you are assigned to deploy whenever required..and depending on how the command is set up..when a specific ship or squadron you are assigned to goes, you go, or you could be thrown into a pool of bodies and when a requirement for your skills comes up, you go.

Language does indeed determine where you get stationed. 50/50 you will get OCONUS orders. as long as she can pass the overseas screening, shouldn't be an issue. It also determines how long you are at DLI.

as for living off base..as an E3, you can't afford it most likely. there is little to no wait for on base housing though. The area is very nice, but exteremly expensive. lots to do outdoors though. Salinas is Gangland central..worse than LA actually.

I'll be honest: not much use for CTIs outside. you will never achieve native level fluency and your Clearance is what opens doors, not your language skills. you will not be interpreting.

For the record...I think Mrsjvb's comments are entirely accurate and honest.

I know I usually come across as pretty negative about being a CTI, but I think CTI is a GREAT opportunity for somebody who wants to do a single tour in order to serve their country AND THEN plans to go on and do something else, such as go back to school or go into a different intelligence field. CTI isn't a bad option at all for somebody cross-rating who has enough time in to make it worthwhile to do their 20 and retire.

Be a CTI for the experience of BEING A CTI and getting paid to learn a foreign language and learn about another culture. I think that, plus the opportunity to serve our country for a while, are reason enough to do a stint as a CTI. But I caution folks I talk to that most people have unrealistic expectations about what being a CTI is really like, and about the value of your language skills in securing future employment. I say that because I came into the rate with wildly unrealistic expectations myself, and then I was mad and bitter when reality did not match my expectations.

So...CTI is not a bad job in my opinion, but its not for everyone, especially long term. And don't count on your language being your ticket to future employment. It will be your general military experience, the cultural/regional knowledge you can gain as working a CTI and at DLI, and your clearance which will make you stand out to potential post-navy employers, not your language skills.

I'm going to preface this post by pointing out that an individual who has been given the opportunity to attend DLI should certainly have a high degree of loyalty to the Navy or whatever other branch of the military or government that has sponsored this amazing assignment. I know that I certainly plan to use it to jump start a long term naval career for myself. It's a unique opportunity. With that said, it's only responsible to fully research all paths available in the future. I have done an immense amount of research over the last few years regarding the Navy and intelligence fields. Language skills are in huge demand at the moment. Every major intelligence agency lists these skills as highly sought after at the moment and heavily direct their employment marketing to those in possession of these skills. The 9-11 report clearly stated that a lack of linguists in the intelligence fields was a great hindrence in our intelligence gathering capabilities leading up to the World Trade Center attacks. This remains true.
The FBI, in particular, has constantly listed 'intelligence analyst' positions that specifically list previous CTIs as being skill sets that are particularly qualified to apply. A native level of fluency is not required to make one useful to these agencies nor would anybody expect to attain that level from a one to two year school. If only native speakers were qualified, the pool of applicants would be so small as to render the field non-existent. One of my closest coworkers on board the ship that I was on was a native speaker of Mandarin. He was highly impressed by the CTI riders that came on board for temporary active duty and regularly conversed with them in Mandarin. Additionally, without getting into details, I can guarantee from conversations that I've had from E7 and above members in the CT field that CTIs are currently interpreting in many theaters.
What is probably a far greater hindrence to prior enlistd member trying to get civillian intelligence jobs is the requirement for a college degree. Of course, FBI, CIA, NSA positions are, for reasons I'm not sure that I understand, glamorous and highly sought after by bright eyed college graduates. I'm sure that these agencies can pick from the best and the brightest and I've heard that they really prefer applicants with degrees from elite Universities that are close to impossible to get while in the military.

Mate...I'm glad you have the positive attitude you do. You are correct that certain agencies do have a tendency to pick folks from elite universities...the CIA is a notorious offender in this field. NSA, DIA, and some of the others...less so. Speaking as someone with more than a decade's experience, I can say that language IS an asset when applying for something like the FBI. However, this is an asset for folks looking to become actual agents (1811s) or analysts...what the FBI is looking for, in terms of proficiency, is native-level fluency for its linguists, which is of course completely understandable.

Mate, if I have any recommendation for you, do NOT going into the navy with the expectation of making it your career. If it works out for you, and you really like the job once you fully understand what it entails, then more power to you, and good on you if you make it 20 years. But no amount of research, talking to E-7s, etc, will prepare you for what the job is really like.

I'm going to chime in here and say that if you can manage to get a 3/3/2 on the DLPT and get your clearance there are going to jobs available to you in Arabic at least. Lots of these jobs are in Iraq, but not all. There are always some open in Guantanamo Bay and various other places. Other languages don't seem to have as many jobs available, but for Arabic there are jobs that pay $100k+ right now. Many stipulate that you have to have a 3/3 in reading and listening at least. I've been in for 1 year now and am almost done with school and I've seen a handful of people get 3/3/2 right out of school. It's not possible for everyone because there are different levels of innate ability, but with 5 more years to study the language after you graduate I'd say it's possible for most people to get a 3/3/2 by the time their contract is up and get a good job once they get out of the military. Just make sure that you get Arabic or maybe Chinese at DLI. There's a reason those reenlistment bonuses are so high. It's because there are jobs on the outside that people are leaving the military for.

I'm glad this has turned into a point/counterpoint thread here, from individuals who are currently in or have been in. I think the key thing to remember is that nobody's experience is the same as the guy sitting next to him. Your life, and what you do with it are up to you ultimately.

Personally I'm looking forward to the experience and opportunities that the Navy has to offer. I'm looking at the CTI field as a good opportunity for many reasons, while still not trying to "expect" anything from it other than what it is, an experience unlike any other.

quote:

Lots of these jobs are in Iraq, but not all. There are always some open in Guantanamo Bay

This is true...for Arabic. Chinese and other languages...eh, not really. For those of us that have had our fun and are not looking to go back to the sandbox or somewhere else oconus without the family, those $100k Arabic linguist jobs aren't very appealing. There is a reason they have to pay so much.

Take a look at jobs listed on clearancejobs.com or intelligencecareers.com and look for linguist jobs, especially for non-arabic speaking DLI languages. Not a whole lot out there, is there?

10-years after DLI, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have met a former military linguist who successfully "translated" their military language into a civilian job. It does happen occasionally with NSA, but most people who still use their language do it in conjunction further skills and education, i.e. my friend who was a Chinese Linguist, got an MBA, and now works with a firm in Hong Kong. Did his language give him an edge? Absolutely...but it was the MBA that got him the job.

Combine your language with at least a Bachelors Degree. I have a degree in International Relations and there are a lot of NGO's and Businesses and Goverment agencies that your language certification will help with. I've noticed that there are 3 primary skills that are helpful. Project management, language, and area localization ( just living overseas in a certain culture) These are assets you are getting in the Navy and you combine them with a degree you will be leaps and bounds ahead of regular college graduates.

I originally joined the Navy as an HM and it was a horrible rating for me. I did the best I could, but really had no feel for it like I did with International relations and languages. (I spent a year at NNMC teaching women how to breast feed and take care of their newborns as well as assisting in the births themselves) It wasn't exactly the experience I had in mind when I joined ;-)

I got out so my wife could have a chance to excel at her career which she has done and in the meantime finished my degree and am trying to get back in as a CTI to get that experience because it is valuable.

I will reporting in in April, class starts in May. what are the chances of getting house hunting leave prior to starting school?
What college credits do you get after CTI "A" school. I have enough credits for associates, but missing some of the lowere level classes.

quote:

Originally posted by andrey0614:
I will reporting in in April, class starts in May. what are the chances of getting house hunting leave prior to starting school?
What college credits do you get after CTI "A" school. I have enough credits for associates, but missing some of the lowere level classes.

I was wondering about the college credit's myself. I would think if you're in school for around a year and a half that's enough time to get around 40 credits at a traditional university (15 fall/spring 9 in summer for full-time attendance). I have around 95 credits going into it, so I'm hopeful that I can get a Bachelor's out of the experience. I think I heard that DLI is a degree conferring institution, but Bachelor's I'm not sure. If I can't get a BA/BS out of it I won't cry about it, but it's got to put me a lot closer to that goal.

all you will get are electives.. NOT your GEN Ed classes nor will anything be conferred towards your Core unless you actually intend to get a degree in whatever language you end up getting.

DLI will ONLY grant you an AA, and ONLY after you fulfill your GEN-Ed courses somewhere else. Some overachievers try to complete their gen-ed classes and Monterey Peninsula College (if it hasn't changed names) while at DLI, but I DO NOT recommend doing this.

If you are looking for the shortest route to a BA, I recommend looking into Wayland Baptist University. They work closely with the military, and will take just about all of your credits, so that you may only need to take enough to meet the residency requirements---its one of the most generous programs out there. You might also look into University of Maryland University College, they are another college that will work closely with you. If you go to Hawaii, I highly recommend Chaminade University--my alma matter--as they also work very closely with the military and offer classes on military installations. Troy is another option.

I DISCOURAGE people from going the Excelsior (or Regents) University Route, even though it may technically be the fastest way to a degree. I can tell you from long, long experience that certain employers, including parts of the Federal Government do NOT look favorably on those degrees...they may overlook them IF you have tons (ie 20 years) of relevant experience, but I don't see them being much of an asset. The same holds true for University of Pheonix--right or wrong, there is a stigma attached to a degree from there.

Bottom line---you will NOT get a BA from DLI, and I would count on taking 12 classes at most colleges to meet the residency requirements. However, considering that the colleges above have accelerated programs for the military and 10-week semesters, it is perfectly feasible to finish your BA in about a year if you have prior civilian college credit. WORK WITH YOUR NAVY EDUCATION OFFICE to steer you to military friendly schools--when it comes to taking military granted credits, all colleges and universities are NOT created equal. (Ok, I'll get of the soapbox now. But BZ to those schools that will work with sailors!!! )

For anybody who is cross-rating into CTI (and would have a couple of tours under their belts), I also encourage you to look into the BA program through the Joint Military Intelligence College (JMIC). Its a GREAT program, but be aware it is highly competitive and you will need your command endorsement to apply(and your detailer's permission to attend), as it is a PCS move.

I've been very interested in trying to find out more about JMIC. Are there contacts available at DLI to help facilitate an application? How do most people attend? Do you have to be stationed at Fort Meade due to its proximity and satellite campus? I've read about everything that is available on the web site. I'm very interested in pursuing a Master's degree there. One thing to note for bachelor's degree candidates is that you have to have completed your core classes. Thanks.

I applied (and was accepted) to JMIC Master's Program back in 2004; the application process may have changed, but back then you had to apply to the school yourself (write an essay and take the GRE) and THEN get the detailer to agree to send you. You will need at least one full tour under your belt before you are able to go, and it counts as a PCS move if you go full-time. The school is one year, and you incur an additional six-year obligation to the Navy if you go.

There was a way to go part-time on weekends IF you were at Ft. Meade, but I don't know if that is still an option. JMIC is part of DIA, and I don't know what the time-rank requirements are for folks from NSA to attend. You are NOT going to be able to go straight from DLI to JMIC. Count on needing at least one tour under your belt first, but don't worry about rank. I got in as an E5, and I know of at least one Air Force E-4 who attended the master's program. While the program is mostly for officers, there are a number of slots set aside for enlisted, and there aren't a whole lot of applicants.

I regret that I was not able to attend the school, and my decision not to attend had nothing to do with the quality of the program. Be warned...if you take one of these programs, the navy can/will send you for follow-on anywhere they please, and if you are married to somebody else in the military (as I was at the time), prolonged geographic separation can result.

I already speak fluent russian and going in to DLI in may for second language. what are the chances to get stationed in Fort Meade after school?

why on earth do ya wanna come here?!

sorry, not my favoritist duty station thus far. might have to do with the scope of his job, but it ain't the real Navy.

Mainly school. What can you tell me about that place? By the way I'm coming from Ingleside MCM navy and this is not real navy either.

If you get Arabic, Chinese, or Korean, your chances of getting Ft. Meade fresh out of DLI are slim to none; if you do become some form of Slavic linguist (ie serbo-croatian), then I would expect to get sent to Ft. Meade as a first tour.

What do i get for Chinese?