AECF - FCs and ETs

Try being an ET... we get the "phone home" jokes even now as retirees.

"FireControlasinFireaWeapon" should be all one word.

Sorry, got cut off before I finished.... right now, the military is involved in conflicts all over the world.  This includes the Navy.  Sailors go to sea, when things are "hot", they go more often.  Just about every Naval vessel has ETs, it is a sea going rate. Plan on not seeing them for about half the year.

What does a sailor do when not deployed?  They work on their ship.  As I said, ships go to sea for a variety of reasons, so while they might not be out for 8 to 9 months (length of a current deployment), they could go to sea for a few days, a few weeks, even a few months. 

R'sproudmom..wow! Thanks for sharing the video..

One day they are sitting in A school and feeling like they will be there forever and then off they go ...

DA NANG, Vietnam  – The U.S. Navy began naval exchange activities with the Vietnam People’s Navy on July 15 in Da Nang in conjunction with the 16th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 

Yep, sailor son is in Vietnam!

Debbie,

Your post makes me want to sign up for the Navy!  Elephant riding?  How cool is that!  They can put in some mighty long days while deployed and go along time before hitting a port but it's nice when they finally get to do and see some pretty cool parts of the country.

Very cool photo Debbie - I would do that field trip!

BRB - thanks for the link, we are collecting photos and articles for Nick's scrapbook but he is NOT good about sending photos either!  Fortunately his ship's facebook page is very sharing!

Happy Saturday to all!

Welcome Sammy!! My son is an FC and he has finished (A)school and is on- hold at Great Lakes until September. 

Has your hubby started (A)school yet?

Vickymed. I am so happy that your son has settled in to (C)school at Dam Neck and is doing great.

All of my son's classmates will be there to together. Including a boot camp buddy.  They are all reporting with in a couple of days of each-other in September. He is looking forward to his new life in Dam Neck.

Happy One year Navy Anniversary to your son. What a journey!!

Wow!!  Jacqueline !!!!!   Ok, you sort of have all the details correct. I need to add some stuff.

When your son is in his last weeks of boot camp, that is when he will get his Official Orders. It is then that he finds out if he is FC or ET. The Official Orders don't come from Recruit Training Command. They come from Great Lakes Navy Base. (TSC) These are two separate Commands. I know this is confusing because it is on the same base.

Ok, so after your son's PIR, He will be moved over to The Other Side,>>  The (A)school side of base. He will be in INDOC for the first week. This is where they teach him the rules of living at GL and going to school. After INDOC week, he will more than likely be on-hold. (a waiting time)  My son was on-hold before starting classes for 8 weeks. After that he will start ATT.= Apprentice Technical Training. Depending on whether he is an FC or ET the length of this course will vary. I think it is 3 months. ATT is a stressful class for some because it is all computer based. Most Sailors are glad to be done with it. LoL.  Anyway, after finishing ATT he will then start his (A)school. This lasts 6 months from what I remember. After completing his (A)school he will be on hold again before getting his new Orders from his next command. These orders will be to (C)school

My son graduated from FC (A)school May 6th. He has been on hold since then. He just got his Orders 2 weeks ago. He will be going to Dam Neck, VA for his (C)school in September. His orders are for 177 days. Because his orders are for more than 6 months, he has not been assigned more orders. He will get his orders to his ship, or new base as soon as he has finished (C)school. 

I know there is a lot of information and it is confusing. I am going to stop for now so that your head does not spin. LoL

Having been an ET, I can assure you the training is well structured.  You learn step one.  Then step two.  Then you review.  And on and on.  They start with atoms and move forward, building on each piece of knowledge.  You do not move onto the next module (what we used to call the units) until you have mastered the one you're on. The sailors want to succeed, so work harder than they ever did in high school. (I was a high school drop out) ((dropped out to go to college instead, my high school was terrible)).

I voluntarily went to mandatory study in one section of ET school.  They can choose to do this at any time!  They can form study groups, and tutor each other.  Most of it is not all that bad for the kids, they're the smart ones after all.

Angie, thanks for that information on RTC and TSC.  Just when I thought I finally understood everything you go mention more Acronyms, LoL.  I had no idea that TSC housed so many commands.

Anti M. I was reading  posts on another group in NFMs. I think it is the Navy Girlfriends, Wives exetra.  You used a 6 step problem solving thing to help these girlfriends weigh the pros and cons of when to get married. I was really impressed.

What is that Six step method??