ETs

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

The AE/CF spins into two different job classifications; FCs and ETs. My husband was an FC for 10 years and our son is currently slated to be an FC however at least two of our moms thought their sons were FCs but once they got into the ATT program at GL - their sons were switched to ETs.

The initial schooling for both classifications is the same, ATT schooling at GL this provides them with basic electronics training and then they spin into their own area of specialty for more schooling.

For FCs - 60% of their enlisted time is spent at sea, I have not found how much time an ET will be at sea yet but this is what I found about the ET field...

Navy Enlisted Rating (Job) Descriptions and Qualification Factors
From Rod Powers,
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Electronics Technician (ET)
General Info:

ETs are responsible for electronic equipment used to send and receive messages, detect enemy planes and ships, and determine target distance. They must maintain, repair, calibrate, tune, and adjust all electronic equipment used for communications, detection and tracking, recognition and identification, navigation, and electronic countermeasures.

What They Do:

ETs operate, maintain and repair the electronic, computer and control mechanisms used in weapons systems.

Detailed List of Required Duties

ASVAB Score:

AAR+MK+EI+GS=223

Other Requirements:

Must have normal color perception. Must have normal hearing.

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

My ole' FC husband liked sea duty until he claimed me as a wife and then made two babies on top of it. He was fortunate to receive Instructor duty at one of the FC schools and became a Master Training Specialist which is good on paper and opportunities as well. He also enjoyed training so this was a great fit for him and it allowed him to experience the different C schools for FCs.

I am going to ask him about different short duty opportunities for FCs. I do remember him telling me that there were female FCs but at that time they were not allowed to serve on the ships (except supply ships) so they always had shore duty billets but I don't know how close those related to their FCs roles.

[Seabee Dtr]

Hi, I'm new to this, my son just had PIR and is in A school. they switched him from ET to FC, and I asked him why, he said they are very similar jobs and covered under the same area. he thought A school was about 8 mos and then he wasnt sure what was next. anybody know whats next for us?

[Barbara]

Hi Seabee dtr, my son is in school at GL for AECF/ FC. He will first have indoc which lasts about one week, then he will have SCC (seamanship) which lasts 2-3 weeks. It is self paced and is from 3-11 at night. He will then have ATT (advanced technical trainining) which lasts about 10 weeks. Then he will begin his A school. After A school, he will go to either Virginia or San Diego depending on which weapons system he is studying. I have found that this can take longer because my son had periods in between the schools. In these times he had duty and watch.

Hope the following helps too.

What They Do:

Only two Navy job specialties, called "ratings," are included in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field: Electronics Technician ( ET) and Fire Controlman ( FC). The rating in which an Advanced Electronics / Computer Field candidate is trained is determined in the initial phase of the Advanced Electronics Technical Core Course in Great Lakes, Ill. However, eligibility requirements are the same for both ratings in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field.

Jobs performed by ETs and FCs are performed throughout the Navy's fleet of surface ships including aircraft carriers and Aegis cruisers, and at repair activities ashore.

ETs maintain and repair electronics equipment such as radar, communication and navigation equipment.

FCs operate, maintain and repair the electronic, computer and control mechanisms used in weapons systems.

These ratings comprise the basis of the ship's Combat Systems department aboard ships and are responsible for maintaining the ship's readiness for combat operations.

Technical Training Information: Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of this rating through on-the-job training or formal Navy schooling. Additional training for specific aircraft or equipment is generally received before reporting to operational activities. Advanced technical and specific operational training is available in this rating during later stages of career development.

Great Lakes, IL --19 weeks
Plus,
FC, Great Lakes, IL -- 11 weeks
ET, Great Lakes, IL -- 13 weeks

After "A" school, ETs and FCs continue on to advanced "C" school. School lengths and content vary, but many colleges and universities offer college credits for these Navy courses. During a 20 year period in the Navy, ETs and FCs spend about 60 percent of their time assigned to fleet units or remote shore stations throughout the world and 40 percent to shore stations in the United States.