AECF - FCs and ETs

Anti, but that is what my husbands papers, he got them from MEPS when he signed his rate contract. When we talked with his recruiter  they called the ATT school his A school.
I enjoy the recruiters in his office as people but as recruiters not so much. I understand they are "sales men" but at least sell the right information.

Anti you have such great knowledge, where did you gain it from besides being an ET?

If the recruiter is another rate and not familiar with the AECF program first hand, it would be simple to make that mistake.  ATT is like a prep school.  

Well, not only was I an ET, I was born and raised Navy and married Navy (another ET1), so now we're retired Navy.  I have always had an ID card since I was eight years old.  My dad was one of the first MasterChiefs in his rate.  Now I have a nephew EM2(N) and an ET1 in the Navy.  I joined this site to update my knowledge when my nephew enlisted, things had changed since I was in.  Some thins are exactly the same  

I sure learned a lot here over the last few years.  Looks like my sailors are re-enlisting, so I'll be around a bit.

My husband is an FC.  He was at Great Lakes for ATT and A school (most of the time they call it all A school).  We are now in Dam Neck, VA for his C school.  Some of his friends and people I know (also FC's) are either here, Dahlgren, VA, or San Diego, CA.  None of them are staying at Great Lakes for their C school because there are none offered there.  We did, however, wait about 4-5 months AFTER his A school graduation before he got his C school orders. I have also heard the varying time frames from 3 months to over 6 months for C school duration (His in Dam Neck is about 7 months or so).  Those are just from the people we know and our experiences.

She will have E-4 (PO3) guaranteed after school, but will advance when the rest of the Navy-wide advancement occurs.  

Recruiters are stupid. I would go with what Anti M says.

Recruiters are salespeople and will tell you what you want to hear - they have quotas to make BUT not all of them are bad :-)   Our son was lucky when he enlisted, his dad was an FC "C" Instructor so the recruiter might  have felt the need to be more ...factual in our case.

That being said ---- they do get automatic advancement to E4 without taking an advancement test.  Then after E4 they will have to take the advancement tests that are held twice a year to advance to the next rate.

There is also a time requirement - for example to take the E6 (1st class test) you must be an E5 (2nd class) for 36 months.  A CO can make an exception to this policy and allow a sailor to test earlier (24 months) but it doesn't happen often.  If I remember correctly to take the E5 test there was only a six month wait from E4.  But taking the test and advancing are two different worlds!

For those that are curious about the different FC systems, I posted a couple of discussions above for your reading pleasure above.  We have lots of AEGIS and CIWS moms and wives so don't hesitate to ask if you have questions.

Some of the AEGIS C classes run almost one year (10 months +) in Dahlgren, VA.

CIWS and Tomahawk classes are in San Diego.  Although at one time, there was some shorter CIWS classes held in DamNeck.

FC Gun systems such as the 5" guns are taught in DamNeck.

I<3MySailor --- is your training on one of the gun systems?  Which one?  You must love being close to Virginia Beach at this time of the year!

Sometimes the recruiters just plain are not up to date, or they weren't married when they entered the service and don't know what to tell young wives... and so on.  Some know how things are in the fleet, but are not up on the changes at the training commands.  You'd think they could google some of this stuff, we sure can.

An example: a married sailor can love with the spouse... but not at the shorter A schools, not overseas in some cases, and not if they get isolated duty.  Yes, sailors get liberty... but not until they earn it at A school.  So many tings are true... but the recruiter glosses over the exceptions.  Like spouse co-location... yes, it exists, not available to first term sailors.  And paternity leave... yes, but only for married sailors and not for the birth of the baby.  On and on.

LOL,  LIVE with their spouse.  One can only hope the loving comes along too.....

My son's not going to boot camp until March, but we've been very lucky with recruiters - my son-in-law is a nuke on a sub, so he's not a whole lot of help with AECF info.  Last year, before my son's senior year, the recruiter wouldn't even sign up my son and told him to enjoy his senior year and take the SATs - both recruiters in the local office at the time had kids in high school.  After he graduated and it was clear that he still wanted to join, they promised him nothing and referred him to friends and colleagues for answers.  When they don't know something, they are at least confident enough to tell us they don't know, which I really respect.  I've heard too many horror stories about recruiters, though...

I've got to wonder how many recruiters actually want to be recruiters? It seems like most of the ones I've met are leaving the Navy and they are recruiting in their home town waiting to accrue enough time. Their job is to bring in recruits, and it seems most don't bother using facts to do it. My son wanted to be a SEAL and it seemed every recruiter we talked to was about to be a SEAL but then something happened to change it. My son did well on the ASVAB, the recruiter told my son he did better. And as Anti pointed out, if they weren't an ET or FC, they probably know little about what it takes.

I don't know how much training goes into the job, but I certainly hope other ratings get better training than recruiting does. I had seen everything from outright lies to manipulation and intimidation used to bring in recruits.

The worst we had was the Marine recruiters. One told my son he knew how to manipulate parents so he could handle me (yeah, that worked out well for him). The other told my son Marines sat around playing video games all day (as if that's what my son was looking for?).

Anyway, for the person who asked, I believe A School for FC's is 7 months and ET's have 9 months. I thought ATT for my son lasted about 2 weeks, but I may be wrong, but I believe it is go at your own pace (within reason). My son's C School I believe will be about 4 months, but he had tried to take an additional one that lasted about 2 weeks. So I guess they can vary widely.

The problem is, there is a lot of wait time right now. So it can be Go to GL, wait a couple weeks for ATT. Finish ATT then wait a month to start A School. Finish A School then wait 6 months for C School. Or it can be much less. And this would be why whatever the recruiter may have told you cannot be accurate. He may just have a book that states basic info.

I'm the USAA and Navy Fed Realtor in my market (Myrtle Beach), so I deal with a lot of the older recruiters when they transfer and buy or sell a house here.  I don't think I've met a single one yet who wanted to be a recruiter because of the pressure, particularly Army and Marines.  They tend to be really nice, well-meaning people from some of the less technical rates, who know a lot about what their own rate, but absolutely nothing about anything else.  You'll not find a nuke, ET or FC as a recruiter - they're too highly trained in what they do and simply needed more elsewhere.  We actually had a Marine recruiter call the house here for my daughter - my son answered, they chatted for a few minutes, and he gave the recruiter my daughter's cell number.  My son thought it was ridiculous, since my daughter is a real girly-girl professional actress and singer, and definitely not interested in the Marines!  He called her anyway, and when he realized he had actually seen her in a couple of local shows, asked her out, which is a huge no-no.   I had his boss' house listed at the time, and they did a bit of 'retraining...'  Eek!

Ramseyfam, I wonder if your husband and my son are going to be in the same class?  My son reports on the 12th.  I wish I could help you with the relocation question, but my daughter and son-in-law were married just after nuke school, and even then, their move got completely screwed up.  It seems like everyone they asked gave them a different answer, and it even happened a second time when they were transferred a few months ago - half of the people on their boat had their moves screwed up.  Whatever you decide to do, research it to death so the same thing doesn't happen to you.

RamseyFam... you can be moved to Great Lakes after he is through with boot camp.  He'll need the number on his orders for you to use to sign up for a packout (they move you) or to get the details on a DIY move (renting a truck). If you leave anything behind in storage, it will not be eligible to be moved to C school/first duty station.

Are your kids school age?  You may or may not want to move them during a school year.  Depends on the kids and the schools.  You'll likely be renting if you go to Great Lakes.  His C school will not be there, so if it is too short for a move, you'll be in Great Lakes alone.  Six months is the rough cut off for paid moves, not nine.  

At the very least, start sorting your things now.  Toss, sell or donate.  The more you do now, the happier you will be later.  

Congrats!  

A new baby does not mean an increase in pay or allowances.  It is "with dependents".  Doesn't matter if that's one, two, three or more. Simply with or without.  He would be eligible for a larger housing unit.  Same BAH though.

He is eligible for paternity leave in the first year.  Is he aware of the free days he can use?

@Mary

He is actually doing NATO Sea Sparrow...it is about 7-8 months I believe ( I got to move with him so it is over 6 months which is good because that means he will be here for out first baby )  And so far the weather here is awesome!  We are living in Norfolk but its VERY close to VA beach of course (everything is within 30 mins or so from us, it is awesome!)

Just my opinion, but if you have kids, I wouldn't recommend moving to GL. Just didn't seem all that safe to me, and there are nearby towns the sailors have to avoid.

Not to mention, he's going to be under a fair amount of stress while going through ATT and A School.

Join one of teh wives and girlfriends groups to find other ladies to talk to who are going through the same thing.  When the PIR group forms, do join that.  

@Ramseyfam - It really all depends on what your husbands orders say once he is out of boot camp.  If his orders will be for a minimum of 6 months, you are eligible to move.  The orders don't always match up with school times.  For example, my husband graduated from BC 2/3 his orders put him GL until 8/31.  He is in school to be an ET.  His orders never made sense since ATT school lasts for about 12 weeks and ET school lasts for about 20 weeks.  That did not include hold times.  He ended up having very minimal hold times between BC & ATT and then between ATT & A school.  Maybe a total of a week for both.  He will be graduating A school 10/5.  So total school time at GL ends up being about 8 months.  And we never got revised orders or anything saying we would be here beyond 8/31.  I chose to move with him since we knew he would be here at least 6 months with a really good possibility of longer.  I'm very happy I did.  Now we just have to see how long it takes to get orders for C school and where we will end up.  Fingers crossed!  My husband is first in his class so we are really hoping he gets his dream orders but we all know how that works.  ;)  

Congrats Grandma Connie

Does anyone know if the ATT has started for FC? I had a fast call from my son two weeks ago, he must of been in indoctrination since he finished bc on the 7th. He was low on minutes and told me he would email me but I haven't heard anything since, no email, no mail so I don't have an address and all calls go to voicemail.

Anyone know when Dam Neck C school has Christmas stand down by any chance?  Trying to plan ahead for my baby shower when we go home for Christmas!

Soooo excited!  My son got orders for C school!  He will be home over Christmas and will be leaving for Dam Neck after the first of the year.  He even knows what ship he'll be on after that.  He was really tired of being on hold after A school so he is happy that he's moving on to the next phase of navy life.  He was in boot camp during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's last year so I'm really looking forward to having him home this year. I know we have to make the most of it because from what I've read here once he's on float we may not see him for a year and a half.  Is that correct?  He has already heard from FC2 John Doe who is his sponsor on his ship.  I'm impressed.  I wasn't expecting such personal mentoring.   I am a happy navy Mom.

Jacqueline_rn, thanks for sharing. My husband is leaving for bc shortly, he will be in bc for all three holidays as well. It nice to know the time frame your son when through so I have a vague idea of what to expect.

Glad to hear you have your son home for Christmas.

I am brand new to all of this, so please bear with me!  My Son leaves for BC Jan 8th and is going in as AECF after scoring a 97 on his Meps test thingy.  I know I have so much to learn and please excuse me not understanding terms and lingo yet....but I sure hope all of you will help me to understand what all of this means for him and I?  He is contracted as an E3...this is a good thing yes?  I have so much to learn to please pardon my newbie(ness).....He is very excited and I am very proud of him.  And thank you in advance for any assistance support guidance and understanding all of you can offer me!!!  Moira

moria,

welcome!  don't worry about anything, we all had to start out as newbies.  navy for moms has been a great resource for me even tho i already had 1 daughter in the navy for 4 years when the second one went (didn't know about this site the first time).

any and all questions, ask away!  once he's in there will be a group for his division in that group.  great support group (all the groups here are).

again, welcome!

carol

thought you all might want to see this...

https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_cards/aecf.pdf

question...I know I'll be on my husband's orders for A school, but what about C school? At meps they said most likely he will be a FC (i know no guarantee). C school for FC isn't over the magic 20 week number.

For C school I believe it has to be 6 months or more for the Navy to move you.  

I wasn't on his A school orders but I moved anyways (my husband is an FC and went to A school at GL but we weren't married before bootcamp.  Glad I went because I was there at least 6 months).  Luckily, his C school orders were for Dam Neck and his school is about 7 or so months so I WAS on his orders this time and they packed us up and moved us.  I do know other wives that there husbands got a shorter school and most of them either stayed in GL or moved back to their home.

What are you all hearing about C school orders?  My daughter had orders for SD Oct 1, and at the last minute they were revoked and now she has got verbal orders for February at Dam Neck...she graduated A school in July and all of her classmates are already off to C school.  What's going on?  Anyone???

Hey BR549...just wondering about your trip to SD.

R finished top of class and chose to stay in SD.  His C school doesn't even end until Nov. and they already have orders. Nothing is consistant except the inconsistancy!!!  Can't wait to see him in Dec.   

so true Mary, My Sailor just graduated from C school in Norfolk and is in transition to his ship, but he said, "at least it's not GL"

He is gonna be on the USS Meyer but not until the first of the year. He has another  month long class after C school.  Don't know much about this one.  

Small ship? My son is going to the USS Pioneer. Check that out for small ships. I probably need to send him Dramamine.

Yep. Pretty much just Gilligan, the Skipper too, the millionaire and his wife...and the rest.

My daughter just started C school for  FC in San Diego. She has been at GL since boot camp, so this is a great change for her. What's really nice is I get to drive her car to her in a couple of weeks and spend time with her. Does anyone know about the Navy Lodges there?

Navy Lodge in SD = crowded.  Very difficult to get reservations.  Have her look at hotels with a military discount (book it in her name if possible).  Hotel Circle in Mission Valley is the safest place to stay. Near the base, if it is 32nd Street .. not such a great area.  Even Shore Patrol is warned to be careful there (worst watch I ever stood).

Thanks Anit M.

Anti M. How do we get on base with her. Can her i.d. get us on base? And if we are bringing her car, can we drive it on before she gets her tags on it?

We went ahead and made reservations at the Navy Lodge it is close to her ship. Thanks for the info. Hopefully things will go smoothly for the car business. But, I am so glad she will have her own car to get around. There are only 2 other girls in her class and they are both married and live off base. This will be good for her to get off base and see the area.

So glad you got into the Lodge, it really is the best place if you can get it.  

I didn't have a car in SD when I was single, I rode the trolley everywhere.  I was in much, much better shape then, LOL.  But I had plenty of friends and we'd go as a group.  

I wonder if they've improved on the parking situation.  It wasn't so bad for the dry side sailors (where the classes are), but the sailors on the ships had to park by the trolley tracks, lots of vandalism.  

Oh, by "ship" I really do mean a naval vessel.  (Drives me bonkers barracks being called ships. They aren't.  Sorry, old squid rant over now).

Nice.  Used to be the thing to do was avoid the wet side as much as possible.  Although the parking over by the trolley line was long term parking for when they deployed.  A real mess of a "park at your own risk" car lot.  

My daughter is DEP and will go to boot camp in March 2013.  Her rating is AECF going in.  I have been reading some of the posts and now have a much better understanding of what an ET vs FC is and how they really don't get a choice of which one they go in to.  I don't have a question right now but am sure I will have them as it gets closer to time.  I just wanted to say thank you for for getting this group started.  I am completely non-military so am clueless as what to expect.  

BR549, what is the Obudsman?  And, okay, is it common to be in touch with him/her?  Sometimes I get the feeling that the less I know the better (as far as R is concerned). Don't want to overstep my boundries. Anybody know what I mean?  

I will search for his ship's group on here and FB.  Thanks for that info. 

And YES!!! he is coming home for Christmas.  Will be EIGHT months since we saw him last. 

The ombudsman is a trained volunteer spouse, usually the wife of an officer or chief on the ship.  They are the liaison between the ship/command and the families of the crew.  A spouse is automatically on the list, other family members must be added by the sailor.  This way you are kept in the loop with newsletters, knowing when homecoming is scheduled and so on.  There are also Family Readiness Groups for the families, with activities and get togethers.  
As far as I know, there is no such liaison during the schools.