AECF - FCs and ETs

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/it.htm

Basically a computer tech, or possibly simply data entry.  Their CREO isn't much better than FC as far as advancement goes. The sea/shore rotation has 48 months sea duty, rather than 60.  Computers or weapons systems is the basic choice.

Anti M .....thanks

It is amazing they pay so many Sailors to basically just hang out in GL for so many months.  She said she may not get orders until March.  By March  I'm sure she will be very glad for those orders.

i hate the idea of my daughter just sitting in GL for 7 months, i was really excited about her wanting dam neck, it's only a few hours away.

i hope so!  otherwise i may have to take vacation to go see her (and i don't have paid vacation)

My daughter heard that same 7 month time frame for holds.  Nothing is ever certain with hold times.  Too much free time is not a good thing for our very intelligent and bored kids. :)

I know my son was at GL and then Dalghren for C school.  He had a long wait before he could go to C school.  I just think it's always backed up.

@ Luv1031- that is great.  Boy I would love to be that close. 

@BR549 - my son graduated BC two years ago in January.  He was on hold for a while in GL, went to VA and got his orders for SanDiego in October.  He is now on his first deployment.  I know GL isn't the most popular place. lol

Son made it to his sister's! They are happy to see each other and relaxed. He is in such a positive frame of mind, put in his dream sheet and should finish A school next month.And next Friday we get to go see them.  Hope and prayers for safe travel for all

Hi GoldnG8r...I know there are about 9 Sailors switching to IT.  25 total switched to a different rate.  My daughter is possibly going to switch.    Whatever she decides I know she will be fine.  At the present time she is enjoying her SNUFI job as base photographer.  It comes with nice perks....no watches and a parking spot.   Too bad she doesn't have a car...haha.

She was home for about an hour yesterday and off she went to a friends college graduation and maybe I will see her today.

Merry Christmas all!!

Leanne, you are correct. SNUFI does mean: Sailor Not Under Formal Instruction. My son had a SNUFI job too while on hold between (A) and (C)school.

Maddie grandma. I meant to say "Maddie you are correct" LoL.

I am just so happy because my son will be home for Christmas soon!!  My brain has gone to mush.

Leanne, how long has your daughter been in her rate? 

Hi to all. Been away from this site for awhile. Son finished C at SD and got his orders for the USS Carl VInson which is based out of SD.. He got leave to come home for Christmas and is at the airport now waiting. After his leave I guess he will get flown out to the ship [?]which is already on deployment. I'm so happy he is coming home. Haven't seen him for 10 months. Hi Sandy!

They often fly them out, unless the ship is ported in a place where they'd need a passport to get to them.  It can be quite the hopscotch.  If the ship will return sooner than later, they may end up in a TPU (holding unit)... same as Glakes, cleaning and standing duty and too much time on liberty.

AntiM [ missed you!] so if the ship is out for 7 months they would fly him out when it's in port somewhere? That was his understanding but then who knows? He has been on hold for 6 weeks since graduating C. His orders got "lost" and the ship had already left. He was happy to finally get his assignment. Even happier that they are allowing him to take leave to come home for Christmas. Me too!

My sailor is home she came home today and now she is out getting her tattoo.She just finished ATT and will officially graduate on thursday after she gets back to school. then wait to start A school. My Son will be home after christmas but they both will get to see each other for a few days. So happy havent seen her in five month and my son a year. hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a happy holiday

@lori, they will find a time to fly him out, and yes, they tend to meet the ship in a port.  I don't think they helo them in at sea, not unless it was some sort of emergency.  My nephew met his sub in Bahrain, but he had a passport in hand from before he was a sailor, the guys who didn't had to wait until the Navy pushed theirs through.   That's yet one more reason I encourage all new sailors to get their passports on their own, it makes life simpler.

My sailor just arrived home. This is going to be a great Christmas.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Thanks luv.  I know they didn't used to do it much, and it does depend on how close the ship is to where the helos are.  Their range is somewhat limited.  

Have fun Sandy!

We picked our sailor up at midnight- he was bumped up to first class on the connecting flight! And fed all the beer he liked! He has had his passport since before he went into the Navy. Something we did for our whole family. He doesn't know when her will join the ship yet.

Sandy- i know the excitement you are feeling! I couldn't stop hugging my boy!

Happy Holidays. To those who have thier sailors home; Enjoy!

The rest of us will muddle thru.  

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming, Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming. They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small, In a 47 man berthing, cramped one and all.

 I had come down the ladder with presents to give and to see inside just who might perhaps live. I looked all about, a strange sight did I see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

 No stockings were hung shined boots close at hand. On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land. They had medals and badges and awards of all kind, and a sober thought came into my mind.

 For this place was different, so dark and so dreary. I had found a home of a Sailor, once I saw clearly. A sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone, curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.

 The face was so gentle, the berthing squared a way. This was the United States Sailor today. This was the hero I saw on TV, defending our country so we could be free.

 I realized the families that I would visit this night, owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownup would celebrate on Christmas day.

 They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year, because of the Sailor, like the one lying here. I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve at sea, far from home.

 The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice, “Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice.”

 “Defending the sea all days of the year, so others may live and be free with no fear.” I thought for a moments, what a difficult road, to live a life guided by honor and code.

 After all it’s Christmas Eve and the ships, underway! But freedom isn’t free and it’s Sailors who pay. The Sailor say’s to our country “be free and sleep tight. No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this
night.”

 The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still, I watched as the Sailor shivered from the night’s cold chill.

 I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure, commanded, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas, and all is Secure.

Vickyrun- I had read this on another site. Who ever wrote this did a good job. It is very moving and the first time I read it I think I got a little misty eyed.

Merry Christmas to all. 

Vickyrun, thank you for sharing with us.

Merry Christmas to all my Navy family.

Merry Christmas Navy Moms..

Wishing you and your loved ones a Wonder-filled Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy 2012 !

You're welcome. I'm wishing for a phone call from a certain sailor. That would be a great Christms present. Since she has not called me at all this deployment.

Vickyrun, praying you get a call from your Sailor.

FC = fire control, which has nothing to do with firefighting and everything to do with weapons control. Your SR will be learing all the computer programs that control the weapons on board. C schools are where they learn about one special weapon. The kind of ship depends on the weapon. 

gmansmom,

there are 3 locations for C school, San Diego in Cali, and Dam Neck and Dal Green in VA.  there are quite a few different weapon systems to learn.  it just depends on what system where they may go to school.  my daughter is leaning towards Dal Green.

Just got a Christmas card from an old Navy buddy, our neighbors in San Diego.  He's still in the Navy (we were retiring, he was at his first duty station).  He's an instructor for Aegis in Dalgren!  Well, was, he'll be transferring next month.  I knew he was still Navy, just not what he was doing.   PO Thomas.  So some of your FCs might know my old neighbor!

I can't believe the baby we used to sit for is now in high school.  Wow, been ages since we saw them.  My hubby would pick up Brendan when he was crying, and he'd stop, even his mom couldn't get him to settle down that fast.

Sorry I didn't make that clear. In A school they learn all the weapons. Then they go to one C school and learn more about one weapon. 

Could be, the Navy makes for a small world!

Aegis is what my daughter is looking into doing.  don't know what it is but she seems to have decided to try that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegis_Combat_System

More info than you might want, LOL.

I was chatting with Chrissy on FB. Told her I missed her. She says "I've been gone for almost 3 years, you should be used to it by now." Nope, never get used to it, just learn to endure it that is all.

Hello everyone, my name is Sarah and my daughter just graduated from Boot Camp on Thursday and will be reporting to A school tomorrow.  She will be in the Advanced Electronics Computer Field and will be specializing as a Electronics Technician.  We are so excited for her and all that is before her.  I am hoping that I will be able to get good information and support from this group!

Hi Sarah!!

Welcome to AECF group. I am so glad you joined us.

 Great Lakes is an ever changing place but we will try to answer any questions you have.

Sarah, the first week over at the (A)school side of base is INDOC for the new Sailors. They will be learning the rules, regulations and what is expected of them as a student at Great Lakes. After INDOC week, Sailors are usually on hold for several weeks until they begin ATT.>(Apprentice Technical Training).  The time spent in ATT varies depending on whether a Sailor is an ET or FC. For a FC ATT is about Three months or so, LoL.  We will have to ask our ET moms how long their Sailors were in ATT.

Hi Sarah....Welcome! Yes...ATT is three months also for ETs. In total, ET school is just a tad longer than FC.   ET total 18 semester hours....and FC total 14 semester hours.  If you'd like the breakdown, I can post it for you. ETs school is about 2 years long (with holds, etc.).

Those are just the recommended semester hours. ETs can end up with a bunch more schooling because they have the opportunity to learn mutiple systems. Ask Anti M...I think she said she went to several C schools.

For now, though, gotta run. Getting ready for a New Years Eve party here. Been cooking all day...still not done!

Happy Happy New Year everyone. May 2012 be the best yet for all of us!

See you all in a couple days!

Enjoying relaxing time with our sailor and happy that he is happy with being in the Navy. Keep reminding him to put fun places for me to visit on that dream sheet - but we both know I have a service dog and dont travel easily...but I can dream. Happy New Year to all and thanks for the support

my son is an FC and he was in GL and Dalhgren, VA for 1 year, 10 months.  He then went to SanDiego and is now on his first deployment.  Will be gone 6 months.  So it seems like 2 years is the common figure!  I never knew exactly what his job was and this group was a great help in learning a little about what an FC does.  I'm not sure what an ET does.  If I remember right, when he picked the job he wanted he picked AECF and was told they could guarantee that, but couldn't guarantee if he would be a FC or ET.  Does any of this sound correct?  lol  Anyway, he got what he wanted so that was good. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful visit with their sailor over the holidays.  My daughter left yesterday and it was wonderful.  When she left she said I'll come home on my next hold.  Can anyone maybe try to explain this to me.  I know she has 30 days off a year but don't know when her holds will be?  Thank you

Ari'smom,  "Hold" refers to the time between (A) and (C)school. Or after (C)school. For example: My son was on-hold while he was waiting for orders to his (C) school. He was on-hold for 3 months. He was allowed to take 10 days leave to come home. My son will be on-hold again after he graduates from (C)school while waiting for orders to his ship. 

Thanks so much.  That does help a lot.  She is still in A school but says she will finish up sometime in March and then wait for her orders for C school.  

It was great to have her home but did notice a change in her since the last time I saw her in August.  Is that normal?  Am I the only mom who notices these things? Seems she took up smoking and I don't know what else.  A little upset over this but know I need to accept she's in the Navy now.