AECF - FCs and ETs

So sorry Mary, you are not a bad Mom.

@Anti M, watched your interview.  Well said...

AntiM...Thank you for being a voice for our servicemen and women. Well done.

Anti M I loved your story on TV! :) :)

Can anyone tell me if the fc "c" school in San Diego has a stand down for Christmas?  Tiffany got her orders for C school, she will report on Oct 15?  be home Sept 29th... until she goes there.  Her weapon they gave her is a CWIS?? or CIWSS?  I heard it's going to be gone soon, so why will they be training her on this if it will be phased out? :(  I am so happy she is finally moving on and she is so glad to not have another winter in Great Lakes LOL 

Anti M, you are a star.  Loved it and wish we could have seen it all.

Tiff's mom. Don't know about the hold down.  But my son told me last week that his choice is the CWISS,CWIS, or whatever it is.  He just started A school and  will be filling out that dream sheet soon so he has a good ways to go.  Got me wondering about the phase out thing. 

TiffsMom(Sharon) and R'sproudmom...

I think the weapon you are referring to is a CIWS (Close-In Weapons System). Don't think CIWS's are being phased out....but maybe just one particular unit...dunno for sure. Anyway, here's a YouTube video, and a couple other links with info. It sure looks like an awesome system!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdp9llrBLnA

 

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2100&tid=850&...

 

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/phalanx-ciws-the-last-defense-o...

 

http://defense.about.com/od/weaponry/a/Mk-15-Phalanx-Close-In-Weapo...

My son had heard something about CWIS being phased out.  He doesn't know if it is true or just a bunch of talk.

BR549, how does your son like (C)school.?

As an ET, the system I was trained on is gone now... but it didn't go all in one piece. New technology was phased in, and the older techs just pick up individual units by going TAD to shorter C schools.  Eventually it is all new gear.  So I imgaine many weapons systems are the same, with bits and pieces being added and upgraded.  Newer ships will have newer systems, but the older ships will have the older systems and need techs who can work on them.

The older systems stay in use until the ships are decommissioned.  My husband worked on a certain radar on the Dubuque.  Our ET got the same ship, and 30 years later he was working on the very same gear my husband had worked on. LITERALLY!  So the Navy doesn't toss out the old util the new is all worked onto the fleet.

Heck, I learned vacuum tube theory in A school because there were still a few pieces of working gear which used the old, old technology.  No, I never had to use that knowledge, but I had it if I found myself in a situation where it would be needed.

R'proudmom, if your son wants CWIS there is a good chance he will get it. Everyone in my son's (A)school class has orders for CWIS. Even my son's boot camp shipmate.

Anti M, thank you. 

 

BR549, we used to live near San Diego. It used to be a nice place to live: However, now it is just dirty and expensive. My son wanted the East Coast and I am glad his wish was granted. All my mom's family are on the East Coast. He looking forward to meeting all my aunts and cousins.

I will keep your son in my prayers.`

BR549 I have a little theory about your son's homesickness.  (What a shock!  I have a theory or opinion about everything!)  But I think it's a sign of maturity.  When 20 somethings get out in the wider world and start meeting a variety of people they start to realize that compared to many, their childhood was darn hear perfect!  You're on this site so we know he had adults in his life who cared about him, loved, and supported him.  There are a lot of damaged people in the world and as he meets more and more of them he starts to realize how lucky he was and sort of miss home.  That's maturity.  The next step is when he realizes that geography doesn't matter as much as he thought.  That family, love and support are always with him no matter where he is.  He'll get there soon.  It will all be good.

Jacqueline, I love your homesick theory!!  I think you hit the nail on the head!!

BR549, I am sure your son will adapt. Home is where your heart is. He can always put in a request for the East Coast later.

Thanks about all the info on CWIS.  Will have to check the links out later.  On top of R being so homesick, his GF passed away this week.  We are in Va. Bch, Chesapeake with family.  R has kinda shut down his communication with us right now.  He says he can't come home.  I think it is his choice.  Not wanting to miss school.  But I realIy don"t know. I am going crazy with worry about him.   Plus, he had planned a surprise trip home on Labor Day Weekend. I did not find that out until yesterday.  I text him and his responses are all one word and he will not answer his phone.  Like I said, He is my main concern. The rest of us are doing fine. His GF was retired CG Commander.  R and him were very close.  Life is  a little crazy here this week.  I am just babbling away. Sorry. But somehow, I know it's okay on here because you can all relate and understand. Thanks.

Jacquiline, I totally agree with you!!! My thoughts exactly.  I have just never put them in words. 

As of two days ago he had not bought his ticket. He had leave approved and everything.  Do they have to purchase them on line?  If so, he does not have a credit card.  Only Debit.  I keep offering him the credit card but again, all he says is  "thanks. My stomach is constantly in knots.  Thanks for the prayers.  Especially for R. Obituary should be in the paper tomorrow or Sat. if you get it.

Thanks BR549, I just sent him another text knowing he won't get it until after classes. Gonna be another long day. I pray that he will respond to this one.  His dad and GM were going to leave a message with him this morning also.

R's mom - so sad for you, not just your own grief, but that worry about him keeping up and staying in contact.

 

I am not getting much tet wise from my son in A school - it is going well he says he it really busy

Hugs and love for all those touched by this loss.

R'sproudmom, I'm sorry for your loss.  I agree with Commie~Matt's Mom~ that he's taking a little time to sort out how grownups cope in these kinds of situations.  It's hard when you're a young adult and you think you are supposed to know what you're doing but you know you don't.  Plus ther's that whole time marches on thing.  As long as you have grandparents then your parents can't be that old.  When you start to lose those layers it gets scarey.

R'sproudmom...I very sorry for your loss. Sending you and your loved ones hugs and prayers.

I don't know the rules for sure, but I think it could be accurate that he is not allowed to come home right now. Losing a grandparent is always difficult, and more so when they have had a close relationship.  I hope the Labor Day visit will work out for him and you.

Through the Grace of God, R's GF will live forever in God's mind, and in the mind of all those who loved him. May he be forever free and alive in the Light and Love of God and in the embrace of all those who have gone before him. 

((((((BigNavyMomHugz))))))

R, I am sorry for your loss. I hope your son will go talk to a Chaplain. I think he is very distraught at the moment and needs someone to talk to. Anyone would be after the death of a friend. It was probably a shock to him.

I will keep him in my prayers.

Helen...I think those socks are called "sanitary boot socks." Supposedly, the keep the feet from sweating like they normally would in an all black sock. I see if I can find where to buy them and post back.

Helen, they might also be called "Dry Foot socks"...or "Health sock"...or "Elder socks"

Helen, take a look at these:

http://www.amazingsocks.com/web-pid-838-item.htm

http://www.leonuniform.com/profeet_218.htm

http://www.sockcompany.com/uscushealsoc.html

 

  I need to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for your words of support and encouragement.  We are all doing better than expected.  My father in law was a small man anyway but last week, he weighed in at 99 lbs. fully dressed. That included sneakers.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple months back but never had issues with that.  I think his big, generous heart just got tired of beating. He wanted some chile to eat that day, but did not have the strength to lift the spoon and would not accept any help.  Then, he asked for a beer. Within two hours he was able to drink two beers in bottles on his own. Kinda funny how the body and mind work. 

  After all of these days and hardly no contact with R, he texted me today!!!  He actually sounded like notheing had happened. He says he is fine.  Never has been one to elaborate too much or share his feelings. So, I am feeling much better now myself.  

  And "YES" he is coming home over Labor Day!

  Again, thanks ladies. You are all awesome.

  Angie, If I had only known that leave was not granted when all of this took place, what a difference it would have made.  The only thing he said in regards to coming home was that he couldn't come down here.  Not knowing if it was his choice or the Navy's.  It's all good now.  Thank you!

Karla,

(((((BigNavyMomHugs)))))

Karla, my daughter is a senior in high school and has already been accepted to her first choice college.  When she found out a couple weeks ago, I cried for two days every time she mentioned it and we still have a year.  I think I will enroll and go with her. LOL.

Does anyone know anything about the Riverine units????

GoldnG8r, good luck getting that smile.  What is it with young men?  They get their picture taken to commemorate a great achievement and the photo makes them look like they break legs for a living!

GoldnG8r - so exciting! Congratulations to you and Fitz ET wife too!

I haven't posted for a long time, but I do read on a daily basis.  Congratulations to all of those sailors who have moved on from A school to C school or gotten their orders. Condolences to those who didn't get the orders they wanted.  Hang in there.

 

My sailor reported to Bremerton, Washington, where her ship is supposed to be, but they are already out to sea.  She is awaiting orders to find out how they're going to get her out to the ship or where she will meet up with it.  It's another case of hurry up and wait, but I think she's perfectly happy with that.  Take care all and I'll keep reading about all of your sailor's comings and goings, and I'll let you know if anything exciting happens on my end.  TTFN

where do they have FC school's?  my daughter is doing A school in GL.

GoldnG8r...Congrats to your FC...yippee, done with "A" school. Hope he doesn't have to wait too long, but at least he's back on the Cole! When I talked to our ET this weekend, he too is looking forward to being moved to the Cole after "A"school. That's the designated "hold" barracks now. He believes his graduation date is Sept. 26 or thereabouts!

BR549...you're so right...both FC and ET school is soooo long! But it's good to know they are trained very well!

I'm getting excited hearing about all your sailors graduating and/or going out to the fleet! It's getting closer for our ET....exciting and scary all at the same time!

duhhuh, Hi!!  FC schools are on the West Coast> San Diego. On the East Coast> Duhlren VA, Norfolk VA and Dam Neck VA.

There are probably more FC schools that I don't know about.

Two Questions: 1. After graduating "A" school, do our sailors wait at GL until they have orders in hand before they can come home on leave? Then do they report to their "C" school directly from home????

Experienced Moms?  Chief Angie? I know you must know the answer to this!

2. Do the sailors at top of their class (best grades) have any better chance of getting the location or system of their choice...or don't they give their grades any consideration?

duhhuh..just clarifying...you were asking about FC "C" school, correct?

When did your daughter start "A" school for FC? How long is their "A" school? The "A" school for ET is about 20 weeks, so I'm guessing FC is about the same?

Wishing her much success in "A" school.

ProudGMBarb,  The answer to the first question is: Yes, your Sailor will be on hold after (A)school while waiting for their orders to (C)school.

Answer to question 2)  No, Sailors no longer get to choose their orders. Sailors make a dream list. They can put 3 choices on their list.

Remember my saying that I accidentally came up with:  "Everything Depends On The Needs Of The US Navy. 

Now, in (C)school my son tells me that you get to pick your orders.> Some classes teachers pick the students by grades. I have heard of one (C)school class where the instructor put all the orders in a pile on his desk and left it to the students to work things out.

Sandy and Connie...Thank You!

I'm hoping our ET will also be able to have a good amount of time to spend at home before "C" school.

Connie, our sailor sounds a lot like your son...never complains and everything is always good with him! Good quaility to have especially in the Navy!

Was just hoping that good/high grades would account for something!

Barb, Ets are getting their orders to (C)school quicker than FCs are. My son graduated from (A)school May 6th. He got his orders for (C) school the end of July. He reports to (C) school in September. All the ETs that I know of seem to get their orders in about 3 to 5 weeks.

My son has come home on leave. He wanted to take 15 days but GL only allows Sailors to take 10 days. 

Yes, ETs used to pick their orders by class standings (which included your student evals and senority).  That no longer applies to ETs, but other rates are still doing it.  C school is different than A school, so there may be instances of them choosing their orders from a set given to the class overall.  

The end of the fiscal year is October, and as the money gets tight, the orders and money for C school and travel slow down.  So what is true now may be less true in another month or two.  

 

Anti M. you are correct that things have changed. FCs used to get their orders based on class standing in (A)school. That no longer applies. After my son graduated from (A)school everyone in his class made out a dream sheet. They each put down 3 choices. Everyone got CWIS.

I have heard that good grades matter the most in (C)school. Of course a Sailor should always do his or her absolute best. Everything goes in your record.

There's a fault line in the mid-west too.  It's not terribly active but we get a tremor about every 20 years or so.  Nothing the Californians would call a 'quake.

Luv103l...Happy Birthday to your sailor! The big 21 !!!! Hope he has a good one!

Hi everyone.  I'm not sure if I'm in the right group. My son just enlisted as an AECF position and won't go to boot camp until April 2, 2012.  Not sure what job he will be given and I am very new to this.  Would like to know what his options are for this position and what exactly he will be doing?  Not really sure of the difference between an FC or ET?   Help.....

KellyM...Welcome!

AECF (Advanced Electronics/Computer Field) is the field for both rates(jobs) of ET (Electronics Technician) and FC (Fire Controlman). Recruits will find out if they will be training for either ET or FC a couple weeks/few weeks into Bootcamp. I do not believe they are given a choice.

Your son should have been given a copy of the rates descrition when he signed his contract. ETs maintain and repair electronics equipment such as radar, communication and navigation equipment. FC's operate, maintain and repair the Fire Control Radars, mainframe computers, large screendisplays, LANS, weapon control consoles, automatic gun systems and associated electro-mechanical systems utilized in weapons systems.

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

Both are excellent rates/jobs! Hope this helps.

Luv1031...very lovely pic...wanna go there and take my shoes off! And just too cute that he sent a pic from wikipedia!!! At least he's creative!

Thanks for the information!  He did get the description sheet but I guess I am so stressed out right now that I really didn't absorb what I read.  Does the Navy help these guys with their housing?  I mean, after boot camp, when they go to their designated schools, are they housed on base or what?  I am so confused.  He will only be 20 yrs old when he is on his own and has never lived away from home.  What about furniture and transportation?  I know these sound like stupid questions!