Great Lakes A School Q&A

Phoenixmom, that makes perfect sense.  The rating is the specific job they learn at A school, he will be an Electrician's Mate once he finishes school.. The FN is his paygrade of E-3, Fireman because he is in the engineering ratings family.  Once he finishes school, he will be an EMFN.  If he makes E-4, he becomes a petty officer and be an EM3 (Electrician's Mate petty officer third class).  

It makes more sense if you group the nine enlisted levels in threes.  I will use Fireman for the example because that's what your son is. (Yes, everyone is called an SR Seaman Recruit in boot camp).  

The first set is the junior sailors
FR (fireman recruit) = E-1

FA Fireman Apprentice) - E-2

FN (Fireman) = E-3
(The pattern is the same for Seaman, Airman, Constructionman)

Next are the Petty Officers. I will use EM for the example.

Electrician's Mate Petty Officer Third Class  = E-4
Electrician's Mate Petty Officer Second Class  = E-5

Electrician's Mate Petty Officer First Class = E-6

The higher they advance the more "class" they have is how to remember that.  If you don't know their rating, you can just say Petty Officer and be correct.  

There 's the three levels of chief.

EMC = E-7 Chief Electrician's Mate

EMCS = E-8 Senior Chief Electrician's Mate

EMCM = E-9 Master Chief Electrician's Mate

That's it, three sets of three.  

Rank is for officers is why I use paygrade, rating is their job, rate is the combination of their job and paygrade.  You will hear rate and rating used interchangeably, that's okay unless you;re taking a Navy written exam, LOL.

I was lucky I didn't need to learn this in boot camp as entirely new material, dad was a Masterchief!

WOW that is amazing I just Love asking you questions I love your Answers. I just printed so I can study it. LOL!

AntiM, can you tell me if being at school for FC is a long one or a short one? I have no clue, trying to figure out how long my son will be home, he has only told me that Mass Exit is 12/22 so far. Never was very good with relaying me details. Thank you in advance for all the information you send us.

Thanks Allison I will have to do that, I like knowing and learning what it is my Son will be enduring or learning. I feel that is important to do as a MOM. It's like me learning the Lingo, he gets a kick out of it.

It's just fun I like to make him Laugh with it, It gives me something to do, plus I have a Little one (grandson) whose 3yrs. and he gets a kick out of it, I will speak military to him and he cracks up he tells me your crazy nana. Hopefully I can raise another Military Man although he still a baby in a sense. Thanks Allison.

Allison I believe you can go into Photos, they have my photos, and different things maybe you can post there?

Thank You, I appreciate this very much!

FC "A" school is about 26 weeks.  They have begun again to receive their orders.  It appears "holds' are off. :(  "B" school length depends on the type of equipment they will be training on

Good to know Barefootie! keep your head up!

Trying here!  Was told holds for possibly 2 years. I am only an hour and a half away. I've been truly spoiled.  Big changes ahead.  Praying!

Have a Great evening Ladies! nice chatting with you all!

Anti M I just confused myself by reading these posts about ATT and A school and how long they last, please help. What is ATT exactly and how long is A school for FC's? I try to keep it straight but I am finding out I am more confused than ever. Thank you in advance.

Okay Anti M I was just reading another post of ratings, etc. My son is a E3 FC. Can you show me the meanings for him? The one I read was about Fire Control group but for FR FA FN. Sorry for being so mixed up. 

Butterball, just replaced EM with FC, and FN with SN. Your son is an SN right now, and will be an FNSN after A school.  He has auto-advance, so shortly after he will become an E-4 petty officer, or FC3.   

SR, SA, SN (FCSN)

FC3 (Firecontrolman third class) E-4

FC2 (Firecontrolman second class) E-5

FC1 (firecontrolman first class) E-6

By the time he makes chief, you should have the lingo down.

FCC, FCCS, FCCM

Firecontrolman is considered a "deck" rating, they work "above" deck. So your son in a seaman right now, as seamen work the decks.  The engineering ratings tend to work "below" deck, where the engines are.  The old, old Navy ships were coal powered, they had actual fire in their bellies, so those sailors were "firemen".  There are hints of old traditions in the names.  

Firecontrolman has nothing to do with fires, rather, firing sophisticated weapons systems such as missiles.

Here is the COOL card for FC:

https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/enlisted/rating_info_cards/fc.pdf

Nicole, yes, there is a holiday stand down when they will be given the opportunity to take leave.  If she has not earned enough yet, she can borrow a few days forward.

Allison, you could create a couple blogs with links, then just update them now and then.  

I know how to post pictures from my laptop, the second icon from the left on the comment box.  From mobile? No idea, I can't get the site to act right on my phone, and my tablet is a sad thing.

Out of uniform in the barracks, around 1980.

Once she checks into her A school, they will let her know when she can request leave, and help her put in her request.  They really do want the student sailors to take leave over the holiday.  She may have to travel in uniform, and would be under her new rules of no driving or drinking alcohol.  

Good Morning Ladies, wow such great questions! and of Course Great answers from none the other Mrs. Anti M, I gotta say you do know your stuff! Great Pic by the way! Hope you all have a wonderful blessed Thursday! Butterball seems like a great thing your son will be doing! I do have to say it is a bit confusing right? I'm still learning about my Son the FN or EM hahahahaha! Great day Ladies!

I got it EMFN! see I'm learning Anti M, thanks to you

Butterball, your sailor is exactly mine.  ATT School was 11 weeks.  Mine is still in A school which is around 26 weeks.  He to graduated boot camp as an E-3 and upon graduation will be an E-4 petty officer, or FC3.  I will attend his graduation and his frocking in January

Wow! that is awesome! Great to hear barefootie and Butterball!

Barefootie, what is a frocking? I don't understand this talk, I work at the police department, I know police verbage. Help me. When did your sailor graduate bc, mine did 8/25

Yes Phoenixmom confusing for sure, I will just keep looking for answers here. You and Anti M and barefootie are going to have a time trying to keep me un-confused. Have a Blessed day ladies, I will try not to be so confused.

Frocking means that a sailor has passed the requirements to advance, but is still a little short on time in service to actually do so.  They can request permission to wear the new rank, receive the benefits such as barracks room assignments, and take on the new responsibilities.  They get a new ID card with the new rank on it.  All of the trimmings of advancement except PAY.  Not exactly the same as pinning.  

Stupid question on my part here, but my son is just out of BC and he has 2 weeks to take his Phase 2 testing........but there was a miscommunication re: closing a log.  He was told not to close something by his POOW (?), anywho, what's done is done, but he is worried he won't be allowed to leave for Christmas!  Could this in fact be withheld from him.  He was extremely UPSET last night...........I felt sooooo bad.  Now he has to delay his test and he was fit to be tied last night!!  I felt soooo bad that I couldn't help him. That is the worst part, not being able to go and help!!!!!  Parenting is definitely hard sometimes!!!  lol

Sounds like a minor incident on a duty day.  Petty Officer Of the Watch is the POOW, and is possibly not in his direct chain of command.  Probably not someone who controls his liberty phases or leave requests, although I can't be sure long distance.  He needs to take time to talk to his LPO or chief, see if it is an issue at all.  It may not be if he does a little remedial training, or stands an extra duty day.  Just being proactive (what can I do to rectify this situation) is often enough to clear the record.  

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH AntiM.  I know he was just beside himself.  Said they were screaming at him and he got all worked up!!!  He just said.......I screwed up!!!  thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is hard to tell how serious it is from the outside.  I know just out of boot camp they can be really hard on themselves and unsure.  And yes, there can still be a lot of yelling, although that is not the most effective leadership technique.  They probably want to scare him a good bit.  But cancel his leave?  Unlikely, I think.

That's what I figured and told him that.....just being extremely hard on himself.  I told him to move forward and learn from mistakes....that is how we don't make the mistakes again!!!  Thank you sooo much for all the info, you are such a lifesaver for everyones questions!  We are so lucky to have you on here to help!!!!!

Good Morning Ladies Happy Friday!

Mom of two sorry for what is going on with your Sailor, Keep your head up he will be fine and will get done what needs to be. It is hard when things happen and we have no way of helping. I understand that part oh to well!

Butterball it is all fine and dandy no worries I'm still trying to hang with all of this, still confusing to me.

Have a Great Day Ladies!

Okay, I will just enjoy when he tells me good news of what he has accomplished and give up on trying to figure it all out. LoL If he is happy with whichever letter he has been given from the alphabet, that is all that matters to me. LoL. I think being a mushroom is a good thing for me, being in the dark is not so bad.LoL. Thank you for trying to straighten me out, hopefully I won't get confused again... but we all know that will definitely happen to me. Have a wonderful day.

Great Question! never thought to ask that.

What activities?  If they are in phase one of liberty, they are not supposed to drink alcohol even if they are of age, and not to drive.  Phase two or three would be fine.  Don't ever take pictures which would get them in trouble with their command.  No traveling outside the US, no cruises, that takes special permission.

Oddly, they can get married if both are of age and it is a legal union.  Not recommended if the new spouse to be is not a US citizen.  The sailor can lose their clearance and schools in some cases.

If they are on leave, they have to submit an itinerary, but they can travel around the area they are going to.  Taking a big trip to a resort?  Should be on the itinerary.  The Navy does not like surprises.  If it is a surprise "gift trip", rethink that a bit.

No restrictions on winter activities as far as I know, but a training command can add extra rules.  Makes sure he wears a helmet, they do have to take safety precautions.