SECF - ET & FT & STS

This site is for ETs & FTs & STS who are in the submarine field. My son is an ET/COMM
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  • Gayle

    Hi Amber,

    It depends on his rate and at what point he is in  his education.  My son is in sonar for submarines and he spent a year in school plus 3 months before he went on his first underway. Good luck.

  • navywifechaney (Ship-02 DIV-950)

    what do you mean rate and point in education? do you know how long he'd have before hes shipped out to school? i heard it was like the same night or the day after boot camp.

  • Gayle

    Amber,

    My son left the same night as PIR around 2 in the morning,but it can very with each class.  It depends how many they have flying out and it's on the navy schedule. When he got to Groton he waited about a week for enough guys to class up for BESS.  I think that was  about 4 weeks and then he had techno and something else.  Can't believe I've forgotten. At some point in the training he was given his rate.  He wanted Navigation, but on the first day of school they pulled him out and put him in Sonar.  He then was in school  until almost a year after enlistment.  The training never ends in the Navy. Read the avatars to the right in the sub moms section.  It gives so much information as well as joining the Groton group. 

  • navywifechaney (Ship-02 DIV-950)

    ok thank you gayle. :)

  • missin'mybrowneyedboy

    Rhonda8881, I hope I congratulated your son for his THIRD(!!!!!) NAM on one of the other sites, but if I failed to do that, please know how much I thank and respect him for the stellar commitment he has made to a very difficult and important career. I know he's been serving for at least 4 years and I can only imagine the sacrifices he and you and your entire family have made over that time.  Again, thank you to all of you.

    navywifechaney11, did you get over to the Groton site yet? I think I responded to one of your questions before but if I remember wrong or you didn't get the answer you needed, head on over there for the most up to date info. My son graduated from A school in April of this year as a STS(his choice, Gayle: )so things might have changed since then. I haven't heard so and I still post so hope I'm accurate :o  Btw, my son left O'Hare at 0630 on Saturday following PIR so we only had a few hours together at the airport, too: (

    Gayle, The "something else" was probably ATT: )))

  • Gayle

    your right missin, Thank you.  Where is your son now??

  • missin'mybrowneyedboy

    Hi, Gayle. Well, truthfully, I do not know where he is "now" : (  He is stationed in Bremerton/Bangor, WA and assigned to the USS Kentucky but since she is in drydock/having an overhaul he is out as a rider(and a NUB) on the USS Alabama. When he initially went out, he was able to send an occassional e-mail, but it has now been sadly too long since I last heard from him. Sigh. Hey, I would love to hear anything you can share about our sons' life as a STS. My son has never been a chatty kinda guy so this whole "silent service" things fits him just fine. I have accused him of using it as a ruse to not need to answer ANY questions: )

  • DesertMom

    Hi Missin'mybrowneyedboy -- I had to chuckle about your description of your son's "silent service".  My son is about the same.  Guess he takes the STS job to mean he doesn't even have to tell me much.  He is on his first patrol and I really don't expect a lot of communication from him.

  • Nana Donna (nanaTo2Saliors)

    Well it must be an STS thing, my grandson doesn't say much about it either of course he is generally not a chatty guy.  My second grandson that is in Groton starting A school today for STS is more chatty so maybe I will get more out of him later  ha ha.  More first grandson will be going out on his first underway as a ghost rider sometime in October on the USS Jacksonville out of Hawaii he is excited to finally get to go do what he has been training for.  Since his sub is the USS Miami he has been dry docked since finishing school. 

  • Gayle

    Hi fellow STS's familys,

    My son left about 2 weeks ago for his 2nd underway.  No communication...Given what is going on in the world I can guess he is busy. No news is good news at this time. 

  • DesertMom

    Nana Donna -  Has your grandson said anything about when the USS Miami would be repaired?  I kinda lost track of what was going on after the fire. But in the mean time Hawaii sounds like it would be a good place to be.

  • Nana Donna (nanaTo2Saliors)

    DesertMom - they will be repairing the Miami however repairs will not be done till June 2013, wow that is a long time.  I hope he gets to go out on more ghost rides that is a long time for a new guy to wait to finally get to do his job.  I did read yesterday that only 1/3 of the repair will be done where it is at now in Portsmouth NH Naval Shipyard then the rest would be done in Virginia and/or Connecticut.   

  • Rhonda8881

    Gayle, my sailor (ET/Nav) is on his 2nd underway also, been out a little longer than yours has.  I did talk to him once but it has been 3 or 4 weeks now.  So am patiently (or trying to be) waiting to hear from him again.  His girlfriend lets me know when she hears from him just so I know all is okay before he gets a chance to call me. That helps somewhat.  Hope you hear from yours soon!

  • missin'mybrowneyedboy

    Hi everyone, I got an email today!!!!! Hallelujah! He said he was healthy(gotta love that he wanted to reassure me: ) and he would now be able to communicate a little more frequently(and gotta love that, too!!) As others have suggested, flag your emails in some way(date/number) as mine arrived in bursts and in no particular order(unflagged) so he said he was trying to decipher what was what! Hey, I just figure I sent him a puzzle to help keep him sharp: )

  • Rhonda8881

    Gayle, my son is on his 2nd DEPLOYMENT!!!!!!!!!!   He has been underway many times.
    Finally talked to my sailor today for the first time in 7 weeks. He is in port for a few days.  We have chatted on FB over the last 2 or 3 days but it took him this long to find a phone he could use!  The last leg of his deployment was completely silent the entire time, which has never happened to us before.  It was a little strange but I knew he must be working hard if there was no communication.  He said they were definitely working hard.

  • ZAM's Mrs-to-be

    Hi ladies, I'm not a mom, but a girlfriend and I want to thank you all for the support! I love my boyfriend's mom, and can't imagine the pride and range of emotions she experiences with her two military sons! My boyfriend just finished BESS, and is waiting for the next step. I know his rate is FT, but my knowledge there is limited. Any help, info, advice, guidance would be greatly appreciated! I love him so much and am so incredibly proud of him. We are planning on getting married next year, since I will be finishing my degree in May. But I want to learn all I can to be the best support I can be!

  • ZAM's Mrs-to-be

    Thanks missin, I am new to all of this and trying to learn quickly:) I appreciate the helpful info. I'll check out the groton site, that sounds great! 

  • missin'mybrowneyedboy

    Oh, ZAM's Girl, I'm glad that was useful information to you and you could esaily change the profile name w/o losing "him&you" together! So, all the info under "pages" on the sub moms site is very interesting. It will help in learning the rates, correct definition/differences btwn "shore duty" vs simply not being out on an underway. etc and there is a chart that details how many months for sea/shore based on number of enlistment(1st, 2nd, etc). All cool stuff.   Well, good luck again: )

  • Daniella

    Hello ZAM's Girl! welcome to the group:) and I'm so excited for you guys' marriage next year! congrats!! Being sub gf is pretty tough, but I think it also helps us to build the strong and better relationship, so if you need a help, or wanna talk  about anything, we're here for you! :D

  • babs

    Hello, my son just received his orders for the USS Ohio in Washington.  He will be graduating sub school on Nov. 30th.  Anyone else have a son or daughter on the OHIO.

  • KikiOtter

    anyone else have a sailor waiting to class up for TECHNO? Rumor is it's going back to instructor lead from CBT. :/ Which basically means even if they could have done the CBT in about a month, it could be about 2 months of class being instructor lead. Just curious if this is what you all heard too

  • missin'mybrowneyedboy

    Hi KikiOtter, that sounds like a big change from when my son was there.  At that time(early/late fall '11), all the talk was about elimenating both ATT and TCNO. Maybe they(the Navy) decided TCNO needs to be instructor lead because sooo many guys do not pass that class and they want to improve the graduation rate? My son nicknamed TCNO "the beast" and by far the most challenging of anything he needed to conquer while in Groton. Adding an extra month to schooling is a drag but might make the "A" school seem like a breeze: )

  • joy@n4m

    Hello! Thank you for all the information...My son is in boot camp PIR on 2/8/2013. I 'm so proud of him and thank God for his guidance and protection..before he start i felt a little nervous and don't know where to start this is all new to me. right after his first call and let me know "Mom I'm Here" you will receive a package.. then hang up my tears started to fell and had emotional feeling..then receive his first letter and the package I got some information and started to connect and research about Navy its interesting.. now he told that he is happy, doing great and ready to graduate and I'm so grateful and patiently waiting for his call "Mom I'm a Sailor"  so excited for PIR ..he mentioned that he is going to school and train for his job SECF. i am curious!! whats this? he never explain what this mean.. then i found this link.. Thank you so much.. 

  • amandamomof4

    Hi joy my son is a little ahead of yours he is already at Groton CT and has started BESS (basic enlisted submarine school) He is also in the SECF program.

  • joy@n4m

    Hello Amanda, how is your son and how long he gonna be there ? if he is going to SECF  program they will probably meet each other..how nice!! my son is flying to CT the day  after PIR 2/8/2013 .. 

  • amandamomof4

    I think my son will be there at least through the year. He has a few weeks of BESS left then i think he has some basic electronics classes and then A school for FT. I am not sure how long he will have between each thing. He waited a month and a half to start BESS.

    You might find the groton group useful too http://www.navyformoms.com/group/grotonctsubschoolaschoolmoms

    I bet you are excited for PIR :)

     

  • Gloria P.

    Hi everyone its been a while since I've been on. Welcome to all the new members. Just an update our son who is station in Hawaii on the USS Cheyenne and out on deployment called us to inform us that he received his new orders. This September he will be station in ITALY. We are so happy for him. He is so happy to get this. We will miss him so but its a great excuse to take a trip out there :)

  • joy@n4m

    Hello my name is Jocelyn my son is new to Groton,CT just started February 10/2013 after 2/8/13 PIR group..I am so happy for him that he likes going to this field in SECF.. i want to connect and get some information about their training and deployment..

  • DblMeaness

    Is there a place for SECF for dummies?  Meaning, dummy mom, no kid!  haha My son has PIR 03/01 and will be going to Groton for school, is that BESS that he attends first and then another school for either ET, FT or STS?  I am just trying to wrap my head around where he will be and what the schooling goals are for him.  Thank you in advance for your answers!  And please, if I am in the wring place, will you direct me to the correct place? 

  • Mark

    You've basically got it Jackie.  He'll start with BESS, then a couple of relatively short computer based classes, then his A school (for ET, FT, and STS).  All will be in Groton, and the whole program will be about 11 months in all (after PIR).  So, clearly, you're not a dummy mom...;)

  • DblMeaness

    Thank you Mark - It helps to have some assurance that I am not off my rocker!

  • NF Mom

    This was the information I was able to dig up off the web from Navy and other internet sites regarding the housing situation for Married and Single Sailors at Bangor.

    Single and Married Active Duty Bangor Housing Information:   Bangor Housing Information

    Is anyone able to comment on the wait time information and also how many actual PPV houses there are on Bangor ?

  • KLSchisler

    My husband just got assigned to the USS Nebraska in Bangor and he just found out they are on their last deployment then the boat will be 'Dry-Docked for a year or two. Can anyone give me information about what dry-docking is and what my husbands schedule will be like? How will getting his dolphins be affected by this? any answers will be more than helpful!

  • Nana Donna (nanaTo2Saliors)

    My grandson was assigned to the USS Miami while it was in dry-dock.  They still worked everyday mostly cleaning and standing watch but he also worked on his Dolphins and get them so it can be done.  He had a great COB (chief of the boat) that really helped him in getting his cards signed off on and he completed them in less than a year and was just awarded them while he was out as a "rider: on a different sub.

    Right now we are not sure how things will go for him as one of the budget cuts is the they will stop the repair on the USS Miami so when he returns after his ghost ride we are not sure where he will be stationed.

  • NF Mom

     KLSchisler  wrote:  " the USS Nebraska in Bangor and he just found out they are on their last deployment then the boat will be 'Dry-Docked for a year or two."

    One has to wonder if what happened to the "USS Abraham Lincoln" could also start happening to SSBNs and attack subs going in for the mid-life refueling.

    Navy: Lincoln Refueling Delayed

  • ETC

    Comment by KLSchisler on March 13, 2013 at 9:18pm

    (My husband just got assigned to the USS Nebraska in Bangor and he just found out they are on their last deployment then the boat will be 'Dry-Docked for a year or two. Can anyone give me information about what dry-docking is and what my husbands schedule will be like? How will getting his dolphins be affected by this? any answers will be more than helpful! ) 

    I was searching the internet and stumbled across this question and thought i could provide some answers. 

    About me: I am the Navigation ET Chief of the USS Nebraska Gold and will remain the Chief when the two crews combine to make (green).

    First question: The "Dry Docking" is a shipyard yard environment at PSNS otherwise known as bremerton. Normal work hours with 3 or 4 section duty IE he will spend the night on those days.

    Second Question: As far as getting his dolphins in the shipyard the time it takes is directly  related to effort its not easy and he will probably go and be temporarily assigned to other submarines to work on his qualifications.

    As for a lot of the other stuff the nebraska has a really good Family Readiness Group and ombudsmen. who will be able to assist with your transition to the greater kitsap area and answer questions while your husband is on deployment. 

    If you have more specific questions i will do my best to answer

    ETC 

    USS Nebraska Gold

  • HMJ Mom

    Henry M. Jackson ( SSBN 730 )

    now has a group on Navy for Moms

    Click Here to visit the HMJ ( SSBN 730 ) Group on NFM

     

  • Rhonda8881

    Hello Sub Moms!!!  I haven't been on in a while and thought I would check in.  My submariner has just transitioned to his 3 year shore duty rotation after over 5 years on his boat.

    He is staying on the island of Oahu to be an instructor at NAST Pac.  

    He received his 4th NAM while on his last deployment and is engaged to a girl from the island so we will be visiting next year sometime for the wedding. (What a horrible place to have to visit!  LOL!!!!!!!)
    I will stay in this group and check in every now and then just to keep up on what is happening on the subs as he will be back on sea duty rotation in a few years.
    Have a great weekend!

     

  • Jeffsmom1380

    My submariner just got his dolphins while on sea trials SSN 783.  He is an ETNAV!  He also made E4!

  • Rhonda8881

    Congrats! Jeffsmom1380!  Awesome that he got both at the same time. He should have more time to contact you now.  Not that he won't be busy, just not quite as much now that he is a full fledged Submariner!!!

  • Kevsmom93

    Hi Jeffsmom1380- A belated but very BIG CONGRATULATIONS to your Sailor!! My son is at BESS, a long road ahead of him before he receives his Dolphin's :-) 

  • mrsb

    Kevsmom tag, you're it!!!

    Jeffsmom that's great news for you and your submariner!  Congratulations!!

  • Kevsmom93

    Lol!!! It's like a game of Where is Waldo???

  • FATHOMOM

    Hello! I am new to this site....new to the NAV journey. I enjoy reading all of the information - it helps sooo very much. Our is mid B.E.S.S. will graduate soon. A  long way before Dolphins too. Congratulations Jeffsmom1380 - a full fledged Submariner. Our son be in A school ETNAV - soon we hope. I plan to follow this site - thanks for being out there! 

  • shirl

    Great video so awe inspiring.
  • stylist613

    lllamaMama3, my son leaves the 13th and is SECF, FROM PA

  • MarGlenn(shp 14 div 352)

    My SR is scef. Anybody know how long that schooling is? Or what kind of sub that belongs to for that matter?

  • my2boyz (ship 11 div 131)

    Marglenn- depends on what job he gets. I think they find out during BESS. Usually all SCEF"s take about a year. Alot of ACU between classes. My son is STS and its going to be a year in a couple of weeks. He is graduating 8/15. So excited to see him. Good luck to your sailor! Oh and they get their orders towards the end of their schooling. Mine just found out two days ago.
  • MarGlenn(shp 14 div 352)

    Thank you seamonkey. I've been trying to put it all together.

  • Gloria P.

    Our son received this today, we are so proud of him.