Interested in entering the world of Signals Intelligence?

The RAN is now recruiting sailors to perform Signals Intelligence operations at sea and ashore. The two categories of sailors in the Navy that are responsible for performing Signals Intelligence duties are:

Cryptologic Linguist (CTL); and

Cryptologic Systems (CTS).

The men and women in the Cryptologic categories serve at sea on warships and at shore based facilities. Their primary task is to provide the warfighting team on ships with early warning of threats which can then be avoided or neutralised.

All of these sailors undertake demanding training in either linguistic or technical streams. They are skilled professionals and must be highly motivated. Their day-to-day tasks are real challenges which offer great opportunities for high achievers.

What kind of people does the Navy want?

CTL sailors are selected on their performance in tests designed to predict aptitude for accelerated language training. You do not need any knowledge of foreign languages to perform well in these aptitude tests. These aptitude tests are conducted at recruiting centres throughout Australia on a regular basis.

For CTS sailors, the selection procedure is designed to determine people who can quickly grasp technical concepts. Usually, the people who perform well as CTS sailors have a sound background in science and mathematics. If you want to become an CTS, you should be comfortable with the fundamentals of physics.

Of course, if you want to become a Cryptologic sailor, you will have to meet all of the usual requirements for service in the Navy. You should be medically fit, meet educational standards and be prepared to serve at sea.

Do I have to get some sort of a security clearance?

Yes. The day-to-day employment of CTL and CTS sailors is of a highly sensitive nature. If the details of their employment were to be compromised, then the lives of Australian servicemen and women could be gravely jeopardised.

For this reason, candidates for selection as CTS or CTL category sailors undergo a detailed security evaluation before recruitment. The security clearance procedure is necessary to ensure that only suitable persons are granted access to sensitive information. All CTS and CTL sailors must be suitable persons to hold a TOP SECRET security clearance. There can be no exceptions to this requirement.

CRYPTOLOGIC SYSTEMS CATEGORY

What do CTS sailors actually do?

Technically speaking, CTS sailors are responsible for the interception and exploitation of electromagnetic emissions. In practice, this means that they use sophisticated search receivers to analyse intercepted radio and radar transmissions.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What exactly is Cryptology?

In the Navy, cryptology is taken to mean:

• The exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum including interception and identification of radio and radar emissions;
• The employment of electromagnetic energy to reduce or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum; and
• Actions to ensure effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum by friendly forces.

What is SIGINT?

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is usually defined as the interception and exploitation of emissions from within the electromagnetic spectrum. It most commonly refers to the interception of radio and radar communications.

Are Cryptologic sailors involved in espionage?

No. CT sailors are not involved in activities which breach Australian or international laws. The RAN does not employ sailors as spies.

Since before World War II countries in our region have been involved in the practice of acquiring signals intelligence on other countries. It has become a routine activity for militaries around the world.
 
Proficiency in signals intelligence operations helps the RAN to distinguish between friends, potential adversaries and innocent bystanders in any given tactical situation. Failure to be proficient at signals intelligence would be irresponsible for a Navy operating in a complex operating environment.

Do Cryptologic sailors work shift on ships at sea?

Yes. In the Navy it is called watchkeeping. Ships at sea are a 24 hour concern. Everyone has a role and the ship is organised around the continuous operation of its sensors and other capabilities. Cryptology is part of the overall sensor system which is required to help the command work out what is going on around the ship. CT sailors normally work a two watch system of eight hour watches (ie. Eight on/eight off) when at sea. Depending on the composition of the CT team, occassional shifts as a day worker are available.

Do CT Sailors keep watches when in port?

Sometimes, as do all other sailors on a rotational basis. Periods in harbour are opportunities for rest and recreation but are also important opportunities for the completion of maintenance and training which it has not been possible to complete at sea.

Are women employed as CT sailors?

Certainly. Female CT sailors are employed under identical conditions as their male colleagues. A few ships in the Fleet are not yet ready to accommodate mixed gender crews but in most cases it is already a well established routine. Female CT sailors are even offered the opportunity to serve on submarines if they wish.

Where do CT sailors get posted?

CTS and CTL sailors can expect to be posted to a number of warships and serve in several locations ashore during the course of their careers. Possible options include:

• ANZAC class frigates (limited billets);
• Nowra (where CT sailors are based at a shore unit but are frequently deployed at sea);
• Canberra area (where CT sailors do most of their shore service);
• Darwin area (predominately CTS sailors);
• Cabarlah (South East Queensland) at the Defence Force School of Signals - Electronic Warfare Wing; and
• Sydney area (primarily at Maritime Headquarters at Potts Point).

What is RANTEWSS?

RANTEWSS is the RAN Tactical Electronic Warfare Support Section. It is located near Nowra on the NSW coast. RANTEWSS is an operational unit which provides qualified CT sailors for deployments on ships at sea. It is also the facility where CT sailors consolidate their skills between deployments to ships at sea.

Do all CT sailors serve on ships at sea?

Yes, all Cryptologic sailors are required to serve at sea. Some will serve on ANZAC class frigates as part of the normal ship’s company. However, most will fulfil their obligation for sea service in a series of deployments in different ships while they are posted to RANTEWSS.

Postings to ANZAC class frigates or to RANTEWSS are normally for durations of about two years. In this time, a sailor could reasonably expect to take part in three major deployments each lasting about two to six months. The amount of sea time can vary considerably depending on operational circumstances. 

Cryptologic sailors (especially CTL) may get the opportunity to deploy on U.S.N vessels while they transit/exercise in our region.

Some CT sailors will have the opportunity to deploy on submarines from time to time. Service on surface ships and submarines attracts payment of substantial allowances additional to normal salary.

The obligation for sea service will continue throughout each CT sailor’s career progression.

What about promotion prospects for CT sailors?

Progress through the ranks is dependent upon completion of required progression and promotion courses, good performance evaluation reports and vacancies within the category. At the moment, promotion prospects for CTL sailors are excellent and for CTS sailors they are rated as good.