AECF - FCs and ETs

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!

Fabulous photo - I want to be wherever that was taken!

KellyM --- Expect your sailor to be in schools for about two years and the Navy will provide the housing. He will be living on base in the barracks while he is in A school and C school. The barracks are nice, kinda like a dorm with four to a room while in GL. Accomodations at C school can be even nicer but it depends on where he goes to C school. FCs that go to Aegis school in Dahlgren, typically have a washer and dryer and there are only two to a room.

Once they move to the fleet - they always have their ship for housing :-) but depending on the command most start living off the ship when they reach E5 and receive BAH (basic housing allowance) that will pay the rent.

But in some areas ----- they have housing available for E4s.

Example: Sailor son lives in Hawaii (brat) and has one room mate, rent is $1800 per month so they each pay $900 but they are receiving $1850 per month in BAH...smart sailors are banking the balance or enjoying Hawaii!!! BAH rate varies from command to command - they also receive more if they have dependents.

Off to California for a few days, hope everyone is well and stays safe from Irene or any random earthquakes!

So basically how long does it take to may E4 or E5 status?  Also, do the barracks have washers and dryers for the men to wash their stuff?  At what point are they able to live with their girlfrients/fiancees/spouses??  I suppose when they move to an apartment off base or something like that?  Guess it will be at least 2 years until he and his girlfriend can be together huh?

Hi everyone...  This is my first post with this group.  My son PIR'd on 8/5 so I'm pretty new to the A school stuff (he will be an FC).  

KellyM, I don't profess to be an expert, but I did just speak with my son last night and we actually talked this.  He moved to his "permanent" ship (dorm) about a week ago and mentioned that he technically has 5 roommates, but he only shares space with 3 since 2 of them are married and living off base.  Once your son is in A school, moms, dads, girlfriends, etc., can visit on weekends.  In fact, I'm going up Saturday for a visit.  :o)

KellyM, girlfriends in the Navy have no status, so once he and she figure that out, they may push for marriage.  Be prepared for that.  Also, they may get panicky about him receiving orders overseas where she could not follow unless she were a spouse before the orders were issued.  So if marriage talk crops up, don't be surprised.

You can visit, but visitors cannot stay in the barracks.  You'll need a hotel.   At school commands, they can't stay out overnight at first, it takes a few weeks/months for them to earn that privilege.

Daughter (wife of airman) was shaken by the earthquake earlier this week & McGuire AFB has moved all aircraft in prep for Irene...thank goodness son is still at GL as this mom can only worry about so much at one time. "Mom, we are the property of the Air Force, they're not going to let anything happen to us"

Prayers going out to everyone on the East Coast.

Son left for Great Lakes today. Sob. :(   His 10 days leave went by really fast. He is looking forward to reporting to Dam Neck in Sept. Does anyone know if Dam Neck has a Christmas Stand down?

my daughter (in school in GL) posted on FB "I'd like to home on leave after A school....just hoping I still have a home to go to..."

don't know what she's talking about.  this ain't our first hurricane here on the outer banks, she's been here thru quite a few, lol. 

duhhuh, your daughter sounds a little home sick. Lots of new Sailors go through this. After the intensity of boot camp, to a more toned down Navy on the (A)school side of base.> New Sailors are kind of shell shocked at first. They are not being yelled at every minute. This takes some getting used to, LoL

My sailor graduates on Thur...nothing like last minute notice. Now to figure out how to get there...super mom can do it & it'll give me something other than Irene to occupy my mind.

Deb, congratulations to your Sailor!  Super mom can do it..  Where there is a will, there is a way. Just make sure that you let your Sailor know when to expect you. You can't get into Great Lakes with out your Sailor. He/she is responsible for you while you are visiting.

Stay safe during this hurricane.

Deb, is your Sailor graduating from (A)school or (C)school?  I should have asked you that first, LoL.

sandy, yea, she said that the weekend after PIR.  she said she needed to get used to not having to act like she had to in boot camp, lol

BR549 and Duhhuh....are you guys okay?  Brother in law  that lives in Va. Bch. is watching water rise and it is about level with his house.  It's almost high tide so things are getting interesting.  R's truck was at his house so he could drive  home  from Norfolk on Friday. A little worried about that but brother in law said he took it to higher ground.  Where the heck is higher ground when you are at sea level. 

 Keep us updated.

everything is fine here on the outer banks!  lots of soundside flooding (worse than the ocean flooding) but i'm far enough away (1/2 way between the 2) to stay dry. never lost power but va had it worse than us.

Sandy-A school

Daughter & SIL at McGuire on NJ lost power at 3:15 am but everything else okay guess I can cut the cord to the Weather channel now & figure out the logistics of getting to GL

So thankful that Irene wasn't as bad as anticipated. 

BR549...have an awesome visit with your Sailor. Look forward to hearing all about it.

Deb, congrats on your Sailor finishing up A school.  Looking forward to that day myself.

BR549. I am glad you are safe. enjoy your visit with your Sailor.

R'sproudmom, Time will go by very fast and soon your Sailor will be off on another adventure.

Hi everyone! I just joined the group. My son ( ET), is headed to San Diego this September for C school for 3 months of  (IT?) training. Anyone with any insight to what this training will be? I was told it is some kind of IT training for ETsl. Also that it is a " new "  C school. He is quite excited about moving on from GL. Thanks.

Welcome mattsmom/kts, Glad you joined us. I know what IT training is but I am not sure if it is the same in Civi life as the Navy. The best person to ask is Anti M.

My son is on his way to (C)school to in September but he is going to VA.

Welcome to our new members, so nice to see all the new names and hear about your sailors!

 

I got a phone call from our sailor son today ---- from somewhere far away.  Fairly typical phone call; tired, busy but good and could you please send some healthy snacks?!!!

 

So I am looking for some healthy snack suggestions ladies!  I can make cookies and brownies and rice krispy treats but healthy snacks?!!!! Ohhh Please!!!   lol

 

Nick specifically asked for packages of oatmeal, beef jerky, tea bags but if you have any thoughts - I sure would welcome them!

 

Hope everyone is well, we are off to Graceland for the weekend in search of Elvis!

Made it to GL last night. Logan tied for high score on the comp test yesterday. He was really sweating over it, said there is usually a 40% fail rate on it. HOOYAH! Cant wait to see him in his whites. Temps here are going to be in the upper 90s for the next few days & humid...not in northern MI anymore Toto.

Deb, congratulations to Logan. HOOYAH and a big Bravo Zulu to him.

I hope you have a great visit with your Sailor. Don't forget to take plenty of photos.

Mary, Brownies are nutritious and delicious...  

Does your son like tuna fish? I really like those packaged Tuna and Cracker snacks. They are available in several varieties. Such as Basil, and Lemon Pepper.  My Sailor likes them and mentioned that when he gets to Dam Neck he will be stocking up on them.    

Mary, R loves almonds, and pecans.  I send him spiced pecans that I make.  Cinnamon, sugar nutmeg... He also likes sunflower seeds.  I sent the already hulled one's and he asked for the one's you have to crack open.  He also likes the little styrofoam cups of mac and cheese.  Need a microwave though.  Ritz crackers and peanut butter are also a favorite of his.

Have a fabulous time at Graceland!  That is on my list of places to go.

R is heading to Norfolk tonight and will be at our house tomorrow.  I CANNOT WAIT!  He has made plans with friends and feels badly about it.  I don't care where he goes or does as long as he is happy.  He is in Virginia and I am happy with that.

R;sproudmom, I am glad you get to spend time with you son.

Some great suggestions ladies!  Karla, I would have thought they had plenty of fruit on those ships but I will grab some of those cups for his box.

 

Almonds, pecans and sunflower seeds are on the list, I love them as well but Sandy if brownies are healthy ------- please, sign me up for a big batch of them!!!  A total weakness for me!!!

 

BR549 ------- I know you are going to enjoy SD and more importantly seeing your son.  You will have plenty to do in the area while he is in school.

 

I was in Orange County last week and there is so much to do in CA that we went non stop all day and night!

 

Enjoy your long weekend ladies!

Anti M...Burning Man is up on MSN home page.  "The unique celebration of art and self- expression". It looks awesome.  I do hope you are having a great time.

Mary,

my daughter asked for crasins as a healthy snack.  i get sunflower seeds at the dollar tree they have plain and ranch flavored.  i get the individual cups of peanut butter at food lion (4 cups per pack).  i also get the foil packs of tuna (no crackers) you can get these at the grocery store or dollar tree also. 

they have mac n cheese as well as hamburger helper in the foam cups.  can's of soup (my daughter prefers chicken flavored ramen noodles), packs of oatmeal but have to have a microwave for these.

 

carol

I need to ask about peanut butter - it's another thing that I thought they would always have.  I did grab some craisins, it's a family favorite.  Throw them in salads, oatmeal and just snack on them.  I seen that ranch flavored sunflower seed ----- and wondered how it tasted.  Might have to grab a bag or two.  Sent plain ole oatmeal at Nick's request with a shaker of cinnamon.

 

What happen to those days that he lived for Doritos, Taco Bell and White Castles?!!! 

 

Have a nice three-day weekend everyone.

My son is going to BC on April 2nd.  He just got engaged a couple of nights ago.  Question for all you AECF moms:  At what point will he have a break to come home to get married?  I know he won't in BC but then he will start A school right after.  Do they let them have a break around the holidays so that we can try to plan a wedding date???  Just curious.

A brisk 4 mile hike at 0600 to sign Logan back in is a great way to wake up...extra time with sailor PRICELESS!

Kelly, No he can not get married during A School.  He needs to be focused on school. My son had to wait till he got to his first duty station. It is possible if he gets married that they will remove him from school and send to the fleet without a rate. hope this helps. I got married in A school and got sent to the fleet without being rated.

Had great one-on-one time with my FCSN...yep, he's official now. Graduation was thur morning. He had to move ships from Banhomme to the Cole & did 1/2 on Wed night & we did the rest Thur afternoon. I was able to hang out in the lounge of both ships...we played ping-pong while waiting for his final check out at the Banhomme =], how fun was that. Had the opportunity to talk with lots of the sailors both male & female. Went downtown and cruised the Jazz Festival for several hours (despite rain, thunder & lightening at times). We really enjoyed Millenium Park & Grant Park. Amazing gift shop at the Chicago Institute of Art where Logan couldn't resist buying the "Samuri" umbrella, we actually went back for it once the rain started. Micky Finn's in Libertyville is a wonderful place to go for dinner.  It was hard to leave and I got a lump in my throat but managed not to cry...boy am I proud of my young man!

My Daughter is going to A school AECF does anyone know wich school is first? or does it matter? Says she has two or three schools 11 weeks each.