Comparison

Bluejacketeer vs CSS NRTC

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Bluejacketeer

This learning system uses spaced repetition to help Sailors study for Navy-Wide Advancement Exams and Rating Knowledge Exams. It offers personalized study plans, practice exams, and access to essential study materials. Study offline or listen to questions and answers on the go.

Highlights
  • Spaced Repetition learning technique
  • Personalized study plans by subtopic
  • Practice exams and daily quizzes
  • Warfare qualifications study materials
  • Multiple-choice and flashcard modes
  • Offline study with progress sync
  • Audio study mode
Features
Read full description

------------------------------------ What is Bluejacketeer? ------------------------------------ Bluejacketeer is a learning system made for Sailors, by Sailors to help study for the Navy-Wide Advancement Exam and Rating Knowledge Exam. Our system leverages the benefits of a learning technique known as Spaced Repetition (SR). This learning technique is typically used by individuals who need to learn massive amounts of information. ---------------------------------------------------------------- What makes Bluejacketeer so effective? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Know your percentile Our new dashboard keeps track of your performance and shows you how you compare against peers in your rating exam. • Personalized Study Plan Know what to study with a personalized plan based on your study needs by subtopic. We make sure you know what to cover each week so you're ready by exam day. • Highly qualified writers We hire Active Duty or Veteran Sailors with amazing credentials within your rate to write your questions. • Updated Bibliography and Topics We mirror the bibliography and topics released by the Navy Advancement Center for your rating exam, updated each cycle. • Practice Exams & Daily Quizzes Test your knowledge with two timed 175 question practice exams, or every day with a timed daily 20-question quiz. Everyone within your rating exam will get the same quiz or exam, allowing you to compare your performance to your peers. • Warfare Qualifications Included Our platform includes study materials to help you prepare for ESWS, FMF, EAWS. EXW, and SCW guides. • Effective study environment Study with multiple-choice questions, just like on the exam or switch to flashcard mode for better memory retention. After you select your answer, we provide text straight from the reference for additional reading. • Your progress is saved With Bluejacketeer, your progress is saved as you study, allowing you to study in short bursts when you have a few extra minutes. • PDFs on the go We know how difficult it is to obtain all the PDFs listed on your bib. We provide you with access to as many PDFs as possible straight from the Bluejacketeer mobile app and website. • Synchronize to website With our mobile app, you'll be able to study anywhere on the go. No internet connection required. Sync your progress to the website later, when the internet is available. Study offline for up to 30 days. *Audio Study Mode Have time to listen, but not read? We have you covered! With audio study mode, you can listen to questions and answers while you are otherwise busy. Turn that commute and Sweepers into learning time. ---------------------- How it works ---------------------- Simply put, Bluejacketeer improves your ability to remember information by repeatedly showing you the same questions. The more you answer correctly, the less often you see it. Eventually, you'll know the answer to thousands of questions, but you'll only have to review a handful of them a day. It's a quick, simple and incredibly efficient study tool, and will dramatically boost your chances of passing the advancement exam and gaining promotion, while saving you heaps of time! ------------------------------------------ Built for Sailors, by Sailors ------------------------------------------ We built Bluejacketeer based on our own experiences with the Navy-Wide Advancement Exam, with the intent to help our shipmates by providing guidance and structure to their studies. With that mission in mind, we hire active duty and Veteran Sailors with only the best credentials to develop key study material and staff a small but expert team to help you directly with any issues along the way. All the best, -The Bluejacketeer Team "Begin your journey towards promotion today with Bluejacketeer!" Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

CSS NRTC

Access Navy training courses and study manuals for administrative and supply ratings. Learn on the go, with or without internet, and submit completion for your Electronic Training Jacket.

Highlights
  • Rate training courses for administrative ratings
  • Rate training courses for supply ratings
  • General skills and training manuals
  • Offline access to courses and study tools
  • Submit course completion to ETJ
  • Preparation for specialty positions
Features
Read full description

The Center for Service Support Non-Resident Training Course (CSS NRTC) mobile application offers rate training courses for Administrative and Supply community ratings. The app also offers general skills and training manuals for Sailors working in Customer Service, Enlisted Aides, Educational Services Officers and all Navy Instructors. Sailors can take courses and use study tools wherever they are, with or without an internet connection. Sailors who achieve a minimum passing score can submit course completion information and have it posted in their Electronic Training Jacket (ETJ) in two to four business days. While most NRTCs focus on Sailors taking advancement exams, non-rating-specific training manuals are ideal for Sailors preparing to move into specialty positions such as Navy Instructor, Educational Services Officer, or Enlisted Aide. Whether you are an experienced Sailor studying for an advancement exam, a new recruit getting a head start on your future career, or a Sailor simply refreshing your knowledge of your field, the CSS NRTC app has what you need to get the job done! KEY FEATURES The CSS NRTC app provides non-resident training courses for: -- Eight administration Community ratings: Educational Services Officer (ESO), Legalman (LN), Mass Communication Specialist (MC), Musician (MU), Navy Counselor Supervisory, Personnel Specialist (PS), Religious Program Specialist (RP), Yeoman/Yeoman Submarine (YNS) -- Five supply Community ratings: Command Official Mail, Culinary Specialist (CS) / Culinary Specialist Submarine (CSS), Logistics Specialist (LS), Navy Postal Operations and Retail Services Specialist (RS) -- Other training courses: - Culinary Specialist Executive Services Program (CS ESP) Handbook - Navy Customer Service Manual - Navy Instructional Theory Manual

Screenshots

Bluejacketeer4 screens
CSS NRTC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bluejacketeer at 56% against CSS NRTC's 0%. Bluejacketeer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months) and rating (3.9 vs 3.5). CSS NRTC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Bluejacketeer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 per month. CSS NRTC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bluejacketeer holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bluejacketeer has 388 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Bluejacketeer's written reviews are positive against 0% of CSS NRTC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bluejacketeer ships an update fortnightly, CSS NRTC every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Bluejacketeer versus CSS NRTC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBluejacketeerCSS NRTC
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (388 ratings) — better3.5 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews55.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings388 — better8
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB89 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKaplanProgram Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems, Sea Warrior Program

Customer experience

Bluejacketeer

All ratings388 ratings
Positive70.6%
Neutral6.4%
Negative22.9%
Written reviews115 reviews
Positive55.7%
Neutral8.7%
Negative35.7%

CSS NRTC

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Bluejacketeer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezing and crashing
  • Sync issues and data loss
  • Login problems for new users
  • Incompatibility with certain devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Audio mode for studying
  • More up-to-date study content
  • Improved offline functionality
  • Better rating selection options

CSS NRTC

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Bluejacketeer

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly subscription$24.991 Month
None

CSS NRTC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bluejacketeer free?
Bluejacketeer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CSS NRTC free?
CSS NRTC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bluejacketeer or CSS NRTC?
Bluejacketeer is rated higher. Bluejacketeer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 388 ratings, while CSS NRTC averages 3.5 from 8 ratings.
Do Bluejacketeer or CSS NRTC have ads?
Neither Bluejacketeer nor CSS NRTC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bluejacketeer or CSS NRTC?
Bluejacketeer ships an update fortnightly, and CSS NRTC every 8 months. Most recently, Bluejacketeer was updated on September 25, 2026 and CSS NRTC on September 26, 2026.

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