AECF - FCs and ETs

it confuses a lot of people, lol.  she's 26 and i'm 54

We are in South Dakota so she will be going further away from us when she goes to Dahlgren. We have another daughter that is at Dam Neck, VA for Intelligence Specialist "A" school. I see a trip out east in our future.

I am deciding to go FC but I am still partial  for NUKE

Advice?

My nephew is a nuke Em, he is on a sub.  He loves it.  Nuke is extremely difficult, if you don't have a solid math and physics background, you'll struggle.  I was an ET and loved it.  FC is a sea-going rate, and while ET is also, they have more shore duty options.

Sunshine, as you are trying to make your decision.  Nuke, ET and FC are all six year agreements with nice advancement opportunities.  You will be an E4 once you wrap A school up.  After that you have to take your advancement tests to move up.  

Both my hubby and our son, qualified for Nuke but decided to go FC; hubby used to say he did want to "glow in the dark" (silly man) and our son - I think he heard so many great things from his dad and the FC community that he just decided to follow dad's path.  All three are great fields, it just depends on what interests you.

One thing for you to think about with the Nuke rate is --- for sea duty, which you will see alot of, you will either be on a sub or an aircraft carrier.  So either tight space or ...a small family of 5000 or so!!!

It's all good ...well most days!!!

hello' I was just wondering about planning time with my son when he PIR 7 Sept. I know he will be going to school here. Where do you suggest we spend time, I'm not thrilled with going to Chicago and since you all are getting to know the area you could assist me in my search. I know Saturday we will have time to venture about.

Tinker, go to Gurnee! It's super close to RTC and they have a ton of shops and restaurants! I went there with my sailor and there were also many other sailors there. Just type in Gurnee mall and you'll find it online :)

Tinker, you can look on the web for things to do and places to go, but you might not want to make alot of plans.  Your soon to be Sailor might just want to relax in the hotel room!  He will more than likely want to go to wal-mart and get a few things, and of course go out to eat, but relaxing, taking a shower alone and sleeping seems to be something almost all of the Sailor's want to do!

I agree! We had a large group going to PIR (my husband & I and 2 daughters, plus my sister & nephew), and our sailor ended up bringing 2 sailors from his div who didn't have anyone at PIR to join us at hotel for day, so were very glad we'd decided to book a 2 BR 2 Bath suite with a living room & kitchen between them at Residence Inn Waukegan.  We hung out & snacked at hotel immed after grad while our sailor took a shower & the other 2 used our laptops for email & facebook etc. We opted to treat them to a steakhouse later in the afternoon when the crowds were gone but the prices were still "lunch".  We were up so early and it was very emotional, so it was good to just chill for awhile and visit. Having a bigger place to be together sure beat sitting on a couple of beds in a regular hotel room. The full kitchen allowed for homemade treats like tollhouse cookie dough baked fresh etc. His PIR was in Feb, and we didn't feel like braving the whole train/city thing just to "do something" when we most wanted to visit & let him direct the activity for the first time since boot camp started! We did go to the movies the next day which was fun. You'll have time to explore the area more if you go back later to visit him during A school. We went to the Harley Davidson museum in Milwaukee at his request, stopping at A&W on the way back for chili, cheese curds (first delicious experience w them!) and root beer floats of course. Kinda makes me sick thinking about it now, but it was delicious!  Have fun.

WhiteClay- we stayed in a 2 BR 2 Bath Suite at the Residence Inn also, and it really was great! Like you said, having a couch and chairs to sit on instead of beds was wonderful, plus the kitchen and little dinette table was great. 

The main thing Tinker is to just enjoy being with your son and not stress about anything else! (except making sure he is back on base on time!!!)

I'm sure someone posted this but how long is A school for FC's (in weeks)?

Thank you I had thought it was 26 to 33 weeks after A School

BR549, been wondering about your trip.  Wasn't sure when you were going.  I cannot imagine how emotionial the whole thing must have been.  Glad you got to go.  

I have a question for all the experience parents of ET – A school sailors. Do you know if they normally give the guys/girls leave before the start school? Many, many years ago, my husband went to ET A – school and he was able to go on a two week leave before A-school. That was back in the day when he was in Orlando FL boot camp and the A-school was in GL. I know times have changed, but we are both crossing our fingers!

Audra,

unless they have changed things since last august there is no leave between bc and A school.  there may be some hold times (my daughter didn't start ATT for 2 weeks) between grad and ATT then between ATT and A school but no leave time allowed.  my daughter graduated last august and didn't get to take any leave until the christmas shut down.  now between A and C school she could take leave but she was also on hold from april until august.  she is now in FC C school in dahlgren, va

Does anyone know when the Christmas shut down will be? My son is graduating from boot camp next week and then going to AECF A school in GL. Just wondering when he might get time off at Christmas.

Tiffany- Thanks for the info. My son's PIR is 09/14. We are driving up there for it. Luckily I am originally from the GL area and all my family is there. I was wondering should I bring some of his "stuff" up there with us? I know he will want his cell phone and such. Maybe pack a suitcase and leave it at my brother's.

Audra - Absolutely!  I was able to give my husband his cell phone the night he graduated.  Once the ceremony is over you will get some time with your new Sailor.  But then he will have to meet up again and move his stuff over to the main base.  You'll be able to meet up with him again then and do dinner and stuff.  At that point you can give him his cell phone and whatever else he wants.  All my husband really wanted was his phone and his regular underwear!  LOL!  So that is what I would recommend.  They don't really have a ton of space in the barracks.  Oh but if he has a laptop, definitely bring that!  Or an iPod.  Basically things for entertainment.  Since your son is staying in GL, you will most likely have all weekend to spend with him.  Enjoy!  And congratulations!!  

Lol at the "regular underwear" That is what my daughter wanted too. I tought it was just  a girl thing. Fummy that the guys don't like the Navy underwear either.

I need a little help I am new at this how long is A school for Advanced Electronics/Computer Field and is there a B and C school and where are they at.  Thanks   

ET C schools are all over the country, and vary greatly in length.  None in Great Lakes, many in SanDog, and Norfolk, even one GA on Fort Gordon.   

Thanks for the help

Chrissy taking the advancement exam for the fourth time. When do the results come out?

They come out around Thanksgiving ---- GL to her, hopefully the quotas will be better this time.

Hugs to all the Mom's worried about their kids. 

The recruiter knows some guys make weight, then have a big farewell meal and are over at MEPS the next day.  Experience dictates the 10 pounds, not a whim.  And some guys gain in boot camp, so best to have some leeway.

Just learned today that FC school is not longer taught at GL. If in the ETFC rate only ET A school is in GL. anyone have any details or other info on this?

Unless that is a an upcoming change, that is incorrect.  I am here in GL (my husband is in ET A school) and there are still FCs going through school here.

@planker... I think he'll be alright.  They do like to push them don't they?

@tiffany

did you already live by GL or did the navy pay for your move to GL? I'm wondering what they will move me there or not

You're married, the school is eligible, they should as you're likely on the orders.  Start prepping anyway, sell, donate or toss old things.  

the FC's go thru A school in GL (along with the ET's).  my daughter is currently in C school for FC, been there 1 month.  there are only 3 FC schools, Dahlgren, Dam Neck and San Diego

Thank you!!  My SR is PIR Oct 5 and headed for ET or  FC, so it looks like GL for the next few months.

Thanks so much for all the replies.

Today is "Talk Like a Pirate Day." We highly recommend that you DO NOT talk like a pirate...

My daughter just finished with ATT, on to A school at GL. What is this next chapter in her young career going to be like?  Thank you.

I'm looking at my husband's papers. When he signed he was given a print out with his contract.

A School for both is 9 weeks in Great Lakes

C School...FC is 12 weeks, EC is 17 weeks both in Great Lakes.

check this out...

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

Um, no.  Really, no.  

First is ATT, Apprentice Technical Training.  Which could be about 9 nine weeks.  The A schools are different lengths, but what you have down for C school sounds right for the A school time.  About.com is great, but outdated.

Neither ET nor FC have a C school in Great Lakes.  ETs have a large number of C schools they could be assigned to, some as short as a few weeks, some well over six months.  FCs have fewer C school options, and those are in very specific locations (Dalgren, etc.)  You won't know where  their C schools will be until they are done with A school.