AECF - FCs and ETs

Well, my daughter likes to cook, but she doesn't like the cranking casue she said it isn't really cooking. But maybe each ship is different depending on the cook's needs. When she comes home she takes over my kirchen and cooks, I get booted out, and she does the whole meal.

Hi Katiebee, welcome, you will find all of the info you need here and more support that you could ever expect!

Any thoughts from all the experience regarding autos?  My son will graduate A school in April, and then C school I'm hoping (sorta depends on Iran huh?) Anyway, he is not married and I am wondering what sort of storage or secure parking is available when he gets to his ship?  Do they "need" a vehicle?  He isn't  the kind to have to have it just because he can. He actually prefers not to drive!  Any thoughts n this topic?

Hi all,

Hope everyone is well and welcome to our newest members.  My travel schedule has me on overload lately so i don't get a chance to stop in as often.

Chris, our son went in the opposite direction with his car.  He sold his Jeep when he went to bootcamp knowing he would be in school(s) for the next two years.  He lived on base for both A and C school (Dahlgren) and always connected with someone that had a car if he wanted to do something on the weekends but otherwise he just felt like he could do without his car.  He is now stationed in Hawaii and one of the first things he did was buy another Jeep.  He has become an islander :-)

togo, I have been told the same thing by a number of folks too.

1)  Nuke  2)  Aegis FC

I will say my hubby was a non Aegis FC for many years and had no trouble converting his Navy experiences into a nice civilian career.

Good morning all,

Chriss, I agree with BR, depends on where they go for C school. Chrissy was in Dalhgren, a small bse about an hour from the city, and not any public transportation like Great Lakes, so she got  a car. Car is now in storage.

Luv, Yes she likes so cal, we are in northern California, she asked for San Deigo but of course she gets Norfolk, VI. Last summer she drove her car all the way across the country and back.

Hi everyone! Dang...I've got so much to catch up on here. Haven't been able to check in for a few weeks.

Welcome Katibee! Glad you're here to share the experience and learning adventure with us.

Vickyrun..Congrats on Chrissy making Shellback and her ESWS pin!

togo...I'm not an expert, but wanted to throw in my two cents regarding the Nuke / FC / ET conversation.

I agree with BR549...anything in AECF is great whether they turn out to be ET or FC.    I believe Nukes are the top rate/job that a recruit can be offered. And the number two slot is the AECF field.   A recruit is does not know whether they will be an ET or FC until a few weeks into bootcamp. So they are not recruited  to be Aegis FC.  Aegis is one of many weapon systems that the FC can end up specializing in. But again, those choices/assignments come later while in C school I believe...maybe some get to know in A school.

I know we are all very proud of our ETs and FCs and we should be. They have to be very intelligent to be able to be accepted into the AECF.  However, Nukes  and ETs and FCs are just three of the many many rates/jobs the Navy has to offer.  I think whatever rate/job a sailor has... he/she is doing their part in making our Navy the best in the world.

As far as the best rate for converting to a good job in civilian life...I think a lot also depends on how much the sailor has enjoyed the rate/job they had in the Navy. I think it helps for a recruit to have a little idea of what they think they would enjoy doing. Kind of like if they were going to college and deciding what they want to major in. Just like in the private sector, it's no fun to be in a job you hate...even if the pay is good. People are most successful when they are doing what they love. So sometimes, even if a recruit qualifies for Nuke, or AECF...if those rates/jobs aren't something they would like to do, then they are better off signing up for something they would enjoy or really want do.

Regardless, I don't think our ETs or FCs will have anything to worry about! Anyway, that's my two cents. I don't know if this made any sense or not !  God Bless all our troops...Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

Thanks for listening to me ramble! That's what happens when I stay away too long! lol.

ProudGMBarb, makes perfect sense. I agree totally, couldn't have said it better myself. Very good advice for any young person, miltary or civilian job, pick something you enjoy doing. 

Hi    My son left this week for camp.  I am waiting on my first letter to arrive.  WOW!!!!!    I miss him already.  But very proud of the decision he has made.  I know he will do great things.

The one thing about being an ET wqas I had no idea if I'd like it or not.  My math and science were sketchy (Navy brat, too many schools as a child/teen).  But the Navy trains from the ground up or the atom up in our case, and I took to the instruction style very well.  I did like being an ET.  My dad was shocked, he thought all I could do was be a yeoman.  HAH!  I showed him!

But I didn't end up in electronics as a civilian, I was in Japan and the job offers were few and far between. I ended up subbing in the high school on base and was a happy dependent wife.  You just never know where the road leads you, so enjoy the trip as you go.

Yes Camille, I agree computers are great. When my Dad was in Vietnam 40 years ago I never got to talk to him, only snail mail, now kids can Skpe with thier parents, Awesome!

Come on C school orders. He is patiently waiting and considering working on a foreign language while he waits, so son is good. Me - impatient!  But he had no holds and may enjoy a break from school

Wow, all it tool was me being impatient lol! Son got C-school orders for Fort Gordon. So excited....now I have more to learn - what is SAT com or was it fatcom - did not want to make him repeat himself too many times but I could not hear

I went to C school at Fort Gordon... in 1980!   

It is satcom, satellite communications.   I went for secure voice, but satcom is the newest communications system.  Very nice set of orders.  I even got to go to college at night there, earned my associates degree.  We couldn't study outside of school hours (it was all classified) so I was allowed to take classes.  I don't think they allow that now, but he should check it out.

Odi...congrats on your son's C school orders! Very cool indeed! Will he be able to come home before starting?

Odi...check it out:

Center for Information Dominance (CENINFODOM) Learning Site, Fort Gordon Detachment is a tenant command of the Center for Information Dominance, Corry Station located in Pensacola, Fla. CENINFODOM provides Navy enlisted personnel with the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain all components of the Defense Satellite Communications Systems, Cryptologic systems, and Apprentice Cryptologic Linguist Programs.

This link lists the ET courses under the "courses" tab:

https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceninfodom/ftgordon/

Odi, Congrats on the C school orders, sounds very interesting, hope your sailor likes it.

Chrissy is on her way home, sort of, gonna take about two months to get home. I thougth Navy ships were faster then that. Lol

Thanks all. We are so pleased - but just hearing the excitement in his voice - talk about motivation!  He just was home 3 weeks over break so needs to save up his time. 

odi, when did your son graduate A school?  is he ET or FC?

Last spring I posted on this site because my son was a DEPPER, had a contract for ACEF and had never applied himself in school. I was worried.  You all told me he'd do fine. You told me that he would grow up in the Navy.  You told me he would learn how to study and not just ace the test and squeak by as he had all the way through High School.  YOU WERE RIGHT!!!  Either that or he's been abducted by aliens and replaced by a robot.  He called earlier this week (he's doing ATT classes) and he was perturbed with himself because he hadn't done as well onhis last quiz as he wanted to and his grade had dropped....  From 93% to just over 90%!!! {Who are you and what have you done with my son???}  What's more he's really excitied about what he's doing and he has a thirst for achievement I thought was reserved for beating the next level on his X-box game.  I will never doubt anyone on the ACEF group again.  Thank you all!!!

Duhhuh - son graduated  A school last month. He is ET

My daughter is an FC still in A school, but am wondering how its decided what kind of system they will specialize in?  And does that determine where they might be deployed?  Inquiring minds!

that was quick on his C school orders.  my daughter is in A school for FC and we've heard there is about a 7 month hold on C school orders

We were very surprised that orders came thru quickly for him. We were told to expect 4-6 month hold at least!  But I am thrilled with his orders

my daughter is shooting for C school in VA

my ET son had PIR 1/21/11  ....C school in San Diego 1/3/12.  To the amphibious base Little Creek Norfolk,VA mid February 2012.  It took almost a year; all of the time at Great Lakes until 1/3/12 to San San Diego for the C school. 

Son has been in GL almost a year - with boot, ATT and A school behind him without much in the way of holds.  We were told while he was a DEPper to expect close to 2 yrs in GL

Well hopefully they use the holds to learn and rest

Jacqueline...you are too funny! Yup...the Navy knows how to pick em for AECF!!! Bravo Zulu to your boy!

Helen...good to see ya back here! So happy you are getting to see your sailor! Been enjoying your posts on FB as well and seeing all your awesome pics of your boy! I keep hinting to ours that we want pictures! His other grandma even bought him a camera for Christmas...I think he got the hint!

Good morning all,

Helen, it's been a good year for your sailor but he will be delighted to see his family again and be back on land for awhile.

Nick's ship is in the yards for maintenance so he is taking leave leave and we are meeting him in Pearl Harbor for a few days and then we are all flying over to Kuawai for a week.  He's anxious to get away from the base for a bit and we are just anxious to spend some time with him.  He was home for Mother's Day last year but that seems like forever ago.  We be arriving on my birthday and he has offered to cook my birthday dinner at his apartment, I am so looking forward to it all.

Okay, off to San Francisco today.  Another long flight.  Have a good week everyone.

Have a wonderful trip, Mary!  So exciting.  Kauai is beautiful!

Welcome back Helen, I am glad you get to go to Homecoming. I know you will have fun! Yes, you were spoilt lol.

Chrissy is on a small ship, they are have not been in the news at all. And she is only allowed to send me pics when they get liberty. I do chat with her on FB, that is indeed a lifeline.  

https://www.mynavyexchange.com/storefinder/nx_display_facility.html...

scroll down and click on florist.

I think you can use it if it is going on base delivery????  If not, they're right there on the base.

anyone know of one at GL?

My son just emailed me to say his ship got the Battle E Award for 2011. They all get a ribbon he said. Anti M- does that mean something on his uniform?

Lori, yes, they get a new ribbon for their uniforms.  my daughter called (bored down south on the ship) and told me she'll now have 7 ribbons.  she's also on the bush.

BR549, thanks!  i'm thinking of sending my daughter some flowers for vday

I went to the FB page that the ship has [ he's on the Carl Vinson] and they had posted a newspaper article talking about it. Very interesting. How many deployments has your daughter been on duhhuh? This is only my sons first. Seven ribbons is great! Is she dry docked?

Great Lakes student NEX

http://ftdfloristsonline.com/florist_information.html?flc=12-0358ZA

Congrats GoldnG8r, I know they are so happy just to get out of GL, wherever they get. Lol

just to let all you out there know, the NEX in GL will not take orders on the phone.  the ONLY thing they have is a bouquet for $18.99 but you have to physically go in there to order it.  FTD doesn't even have a bouquet for $18.99

GoldnG8r,

spoke to my daughter last night and she said the holds have gotten shorter. 

Hello everyone....it's been a few weeks since i've been here....there's been so much going on.  My son is an FC, currently in phase II, and he seems more homesick now than when he was in bootcamp.  I was hoping to send him something nice to brighten his spirits...but I see that the NEX in GL won't take phone orders.  Any other ideas???   How are all of you holding up with your sons/daughters in A school?

hello Batmansmom531-I just send my son a care package every now and then.  For Valentines day I sent some $1 candy boxes, and frisbees, magazines are good. Even a card will lift them up.

Care packages from home; homemade goodies of their fav cookies, breads and stuff you made when they were home.

for those keeping track: My ET son flew to his ship today 2/13/2012 after all his schools.  His PIR was 1/21/2011...a little more than a year.

Well, good to know one of the florists delivers!

Hey mammajill,  if you don't mind sharing...when was his PIR and when did he finished A school?