AECF - FCs and ETs

Jellysmom, my son is an FC. He was at Great Lakes from June 15th 2010 when he arrived at Boot Camp to September 9th, 2011. This time includes hold times and ATT plus (A)school. My son Graduated from (A)school, May 6th 2011. He was on-hold until he left in September. While he was on-hold at Great Lakes, he got a job as a SNUFI. (student not under formal instruction)  

I really recommend that your daughter apply for a Job while she is on-hold after Graduating from (A)school. This makes the time on-hold go by faster.

Vickimed, wow, how time flies. How does your son like being at Sea?

BR549. How is your son?

I think it is safe to say that if your son or daughter is an FC. You can expect them to be on hold for 3 months after (A)school.

Hello,

My son is going to bootcamp in a week. He is a AECF rating. I know his A school will be at Great Lakes. When will he decide or know if he is ET or FC? From reading the posts it looks like his C school will be determined by whether he is ET or FC. Sorry if this has been answered but I didn't see it anywhere.

McJane, your son will find out whether or not he will be an ET or FC during the last half of boot camp. When my son was in boot camp June 2010, he was told during week 4-5. Things might have changed since my son was in boot.

BR549, congratulation to your Sailor. What is Bravo School? I am glad he is finished with (C)school and going to his ship soon.

My son is still in (C)school in Dam Neck VA. He seems to be very happy there. Last week he tripped in the dark and broke his little toe. (of all the things to happen, LoL)  He can't run for 6 weeks so he has been doing a lot of swimming for his PT.  His (C)school will end sometime in May or June. 

I am so happy your son will be coming home for Christmas before heading to his ship

. My son will be coming home for Christmas too. I know that this will be the last Christmas together for awhile. I bet he will be in the middle of his deployment next Christmas.

Thank you everyone for answering my questions it was very helpful.

@Sandy Sailors Son - Thank you. I have a zillion questions but it seems sooner or later most are answered on here.

gmansmom, you are correct. There is only one (A)school for ETs and FCs and that is Great Lakes.

C schools are: San Diego, Duhlgren VA, Dam Neck VA and Norfolk.  Of course I am sure there are more (C)schools that I have not mentioned.

Just plan on your son being in Great Lakes for awhile. Once your son is out of boot camp you will be able to talk to him more. He can share the cost of Comcast Cable with his room mates. Signing up with Skype is a great idea. It is Free and you can make calls on your computer for free. Technology is great:)

McJane and Jellysmom, feel free to ask as many questions as needed. There are lots of really wonderful and helpful families on here. No question should be thought of as stupid.

Thank you and I will ask as questions come up. We are looking forward for this next phase of his life to begin. I am going to miss him but I know this is what he wants to do and I am very proud of his decision to serve.

Do you get to pick where you want to go for your C school ?

From what my son has told me. It all depends on the Navy's needs. Not so much what your grades are anymore. I am not saying that a Sailor should be happy with bad grades because that is not a good attitude. A Sailor should strive for the best. No one in my son's (A)school class got the orders they wanted. Everyone ended up getting the exact same orders. My son got to go to (C)school with all of his (A)school class mates. Along with his boot camp shipmate.

Almost everyone of my son fellow classmates requested the East Coast. That wish was granted.  Funny how things work out.

My son told me that in his (C)school. The students with the top grades will get to pick their orders first. Their instructors said that when the time comes. They can work it out amongst themselves as to who is going to get what. 

Hi everyone...checking in while our sailor is visiting with other friends and relatives. It's been sooooo good to have him back home after that long year at GL.

So...I might be repeating some things that have already been said, but I see you all have been chatting about C school stuff.

I agree with Sandy that top grades are not always the only deciding factor in whether our kids get to go to the C school location of their choice. In addition to the Navy's needs, it also depends on what system/s they will be studying. Different C school locations train in different systems.

The other thing that "can" impact hold times, is what month they graduate A school. The fiscal year ends September, so their is hardly any budget left, and holds can be longer at that time until funds are replenished.

I can only speak from our ET's experience. He'll be going to San Diego  C school Dec. - March for one system or subject, then to another C school in Norfolk for another few months for another system. Then off to the fleet. He expects and is looking forward to attending more C schools. I remember Anti M saying that as an ET she went to quite a few C schools.

He too, got super grades, and only missed graduating with honors by some crazy fraction of a point. Good grades still matter, so continue to encourage your sons and daughters to do their best.

All our kids accomplish sooo much in such a short period of time...they amaze me. I'm so proud of them all !

Thanks for all the extra info! We live in california & am trying to figure wout when I will see my son again after PIR 1/13/12. I guess after "A" school I can only hope one of his "C" schools is in SD. Just a few hours from us. Will keep watching this discussion group as BC rolls along. :)

Remind them top grades can potentially earn them a little extra liberty. Maybe.  

Hi gmans mom - my ET's PIR was this past January - he ended up on hold prior to ATT school and again prior to A school...he won't graduate from A school until late January or early February 2012. He did get 4 days off for Memorial Day and Labor Day - But with the length of travel to California and cost...wasn't worth coming back for two days of actual time here. We went to Chicago and visited him over Labor day and he was able to stay with us at the Navy Lodge (Great place to stay  for PIR BTW) all four days and saw us during off hours other days. He is coming home for Christmas 12/16 through 1/2 - this is his first real chance to come back to California. Everyone is a little different and hold times vary a lot. We are hoping for a San Diego C School...but most of his friends have ended up in Virginia. We still have our fingers crossed though.

Hi McJane - I saw you were mentioning when you would know about ET or FC. My son found out about three weeks before boot camp ended. There was no choosing involved...at least with his group. He got ET and really wanted FC, other friends we made in that group had their kids get FC when they wanted ET. It seemed more of a case of pulling the names out of the hat rather than anyone choosing. Did seem to be far more ET's then FC's...at least in his group.

Thanks for the info. I am sure he will be happy with which ever one he gets. I am the one that is more anxious.

I think I still have the prize for longest holds, Chrissy was in GL from May '09 to Dec '10. C school went faster she started after a holiday leave in Jan '11 and got on her ship after the hurricane in Sept. I like being a fleet Mom.

Hi ladies I haven't been on the site for quite some time, My daughter just PRI was 02/17/11 and she's been in GL all this time, She is waiting on orders to her next school. She told me the other day that she is 100% percent she's going to Virginia. She had put in for San  Diego her home town in her dream sheet, but i doubt she will get it, Anyway she's on hold till March 12 according to her no order are been handed out at this time.She's a FC3

Vickyrun, we are almost tied because my son was in GL from June 2010 to September 2011, LOL. Life is different now that my son is in (C)school. Can't imagine what it is going to be like when my son is in the Fleet.

How does Chrissy like being in the fleet? 

So my BF is about to graduate from A-School on friday ! he has already filled out his wish list (for where he wants to go) any clue how long it will be for the orders to get in? he is in GL and is an ET

Vickyrun...Wow...you & Chrissy DO hold the record! That was 19 months!

From start to finish in GL, our guy was only there total 1 year + 2 weeks. And he really didn't experience many holds during the whold process. Went in Nov. 7, 2010,  PIR on Jan 11, 2011. Graduated ATT end April. Only couple week hold before starting A school. Graduated A school end Sept.   Then got C school orders near end Oct.  Left GL Nov. 18 to come home for Thanksgiving. Will report to SD Dec. 2.  Not really too bad, huh?

Glad you like being a fleet mom! Does Chrissy's ship hava a FB page? Do they have a good ombudsman who helps keep family members informed? That would help a lot. Any connection soothes the heart!

alwaysdaddy.... Did your daughter just graduate A school recently? Hang in there, March will be here before you and she knows it!!

I'm curious... did you mean that she is an an FC ...in the E-3 paygrade?   I may be incorrect, but I know that most ETs and FCs are E-3 paygrade after A school. However, the rate F3 or E3 means that they are E-4 paygrade and have become Petty Officer Third Class..(PO3) ...thus they use the shorthand title of F3 or ET3.

I was not aware of any advancement to FC3 or ET3 until during or after C school.  Am I misunderstanding ?? Wouldn't be the first time!!!! lol.

bclotter... No one can really give an exact answer...but guessing it will probably a couple months before he gets his C school orders. Probably not what you wanted to hear, right ?!!!

Hope he gets the location of his choice....but...even if he doesn't, remind him, that the upside to being an ET is that he most likely will have more than one C school, and sooner or later, he may end up at his dream location!

not at all lol but its okay. he picked all florida bases for c-school but i doubt they will give him shore duty.

ProudGMBarb....FC3 or ET3 is once they are Petty Officer Third Class?  I thought that is what my daughter told me.  She rattles off so many terms that sound foreign to me!  She advanced to Petty Officer Third Class this month after graduating A school.  I know several of her classmates did.  

Leanne and everyone...Okay...I did not have all my ducks in a row!!!  Just asked our sailor for clarification:

For 6 year contracts (like our ETs and FCs that have long schooling) they automatically advance to the E-4 paygrade when they complete time and rate. So yes, they become Petty Officer Third Class (PO3 ...or also referred to as ET3 or FC3) after A school and when they have the appropriate time in.

I was confused because even though our sailor has completed A school....he has to wait to complete his "time" portion which will be in Feb and then he will be advance to E-4 paygrade and be third class Petty Officer (PO3 or ET3)

UGH...sorry for the confusion!

More info that you either probably already know or wish you didnt'!!!

Advancement from E-1 to E-2....nine months.

From E-2 to E-3 .... nine months.

From E-3 to E-4... six months.  BUT... there are other variable and situations in which they can advance quicker and may have advanced to E-4 paygrade before graduating A school...so then they just needed to wait to have completed "rate" and after A school are Petty Officer Third Class.

For instance, they may have entered the Navy higher than E1 or E2 (perhaps if they had college education).

Also, there is something called "capping" in which a select few are advanced to the next paygrade.

How am I doing....am I confusing you all yet????!!!!! 

Barb, all the E4 FC3 and ET3 stuff is confusing. I was not clear on the fact that PO1 is a higher rank the PO3. It seems bass ackwards to me. My son says that he won't get a ceremony until he reaches PO2. 

Sandy...lol

I think I've got a handle on it now! Just keep in mind that the E3, E4, E5, etc. are paygrades not rates. Then lowest level of PO starts with 3 (third class)

They just make it easier by calling them ET3 or FC3 (Petty Officer third class) but still identifies whether they are an ET or an FC.

Yes, it makes sense that they won't get a ceremony until PO2...because they atomatically advance to PO3, but they need to qualify in more ways for PO2 and above.

I have a question I hope someone can answer. Does anyone know if dogs are allowed at military housing at Great Lakes?

McJane, unfortunately pups aren't allowed at Great Lakes. 

First class (PO1) is the highest and best of course!  Anything "first class" is.

That's how you remember it.

When I made ET3, most ETs got their crow immediately after school.  I was in a pilot program which handed it to me at the ten week mark in A school.  I was far too inexperienced for it, but grew into it.  That very early advancement allowed me to make E-5/ET2 the first time up, while still in C school.  The Navy has slowed that down, it simply is too much responsibility without experience too soon.  Also, making them wait for time in service/time in rate and advancing them with the normal cycles makes the Navy's end of keeping track of advancement cycles much simpler.

Anti M....good to hear from you! I was just getting ready to post.."Where's Anti M?"

Wow...PO2 in C school...

As always, thanks for the good info! It surely makes sense.

Anyone's sailor still in GL that is a fan of the tv show CSI?   This Saturday the VFW in Antioch is having a dinner for the sailors.  At the dinner will be Gary Sinise, Mark Harmon and Chris O'Donnell.  They are sending several buses to transport sailors but there hasn't been a very big sign up.  Possibly not advertised enough.  Anyway, please pass on the news to your sailor if you think they might be interested. 

Thank you for your quick response Sandy's sailor son. Too bad because my son and his wife have two dogs that they are going to want to keep. I guess when she gets to move there she will have to get off base housing.

McJane, Have your son ask when he talks to Housing. He needs to do that so he can be put on a waiting list. Most Base/Post housing do allow your pets. We live on post right now and have our Golden Retriever and cat with us.                                                                                                                                      Chris sent me a picture of his promotion. On the ship they took everyone that just got promoted PO1 and up and did there little ceremony at one time.  Funny thing about this picture he has something growing on his lip. It is hairy and awful. I guess this would be the time to do something like that while he is at sea because when he gets home that thing has got to go.                    

Found it.  (The google is strong with this one)  The answer: depends on what type of dog.

What pets are we allowed having in our homes?
The pets that are permissible in your home are those which are domesticated and are traditionally kept in the home. These pets are identified as dogs*, cats, birds, gerbils, hamster, guinea pigs, turtles, and fish. 

*Certain breeds of dogs are not permitted including: Pitt Bulls, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Perro de Presa Canarios, and Wolf hybrids.

http://www.fcnavygreatlakes.com/

yeah, Chrissy likes being on the ship. She enjoys the frendly port calls. not so much the unfriendly ones. They had pie for Thanksgiving so she was happy. She gets to call her son and sometimes her boyfriend. But she doesn't call me. That's ok, she has faceboock acces and email so I hear from her every week. Yes her ship has a few FB pages but only one is the offical page. The group on here is not very active, it is a small group. No, I have not heard from any obusman, maybe cause her father is on her contact sheet.

ATT is Apprentice Technical Training.  It teaches them the basics of electricity and electronics, from atoms on up.  This prepares them for A school, which prepares them for C school.  

gmansmom...PIR was AWESOME!  Be sure to order the DVD. You'll want to watch it over again when you get home. I was soooo excited that day and my mind was going 100mph, so I really enjoyed watching it again later at home when I was a bit calmer!

It's gonna be chilly...so dress comfortably! The sections are marked with the ship/div number so be sure to get there early and get a good seat. Ask your recruit to tell you which row in his division he will be in, so you can spot him quickly. They practice, so he should be able to tell you.

We fly into Milwaukee, and we are glad we did. Smaller airport...faster getting in and out. And...when it was time to come home, it was snowing, and they closed OHare, but we were okay at Milwaukee.

We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Waukegan, and also at the Navy Lodge.

We really lucked at, because at that time the recruits were still allowed overnight liberty. And that Monday was Martin Luther King Day, so we had our sailor from Friday until Monday afternoon! But I believe the overnight liberty was stopped around March 2011.

Your sailor will be given instructions on places and areas of the city that are off limits for them.  After PIR, you will also most likely need to find something to do while your sailor "moves across the street" to the TSC "school" side. Of course, I'm assuming that he/she will be staying at GL for A school.

Also, ATT is approximately three months long. Then usually a short wait before A school starts.

You are going to love PIR....and you will be soooo amazed and proud. It's one of those moments you will never forget.

Connie....good to hear that Matt's cranking days are over!  Hope his new bride won't get too lonely when he's back on the ship! Well, I guess she knew what to expect, right?!!!

So, does every sailor go through cranking when they first get to their ship???

Did Matt have to do any "cranking" tasks that he didn't like? Anything yucky?

Some sailors do not crank, if their job needs them immediately.  My nephew did not crank, but he's a nuke EM.  His chief was standing the watches, so was very glad when the new kid showed up.  But as anyone who has been around the Navy any length of time knows, nukes are different.  Bubblehead nukes are way different!