Definition of the job

[Libby59]

For any other Newbie Moms out there who don't know what the little initials stand for ;)

ELECTRONICS TECHNICIANS (ET/RF AND ET/NAV) focus on installing, administering and maintaining onboard communications and navigations systems. ET/RFs are responsible for all operational and administrative aspects of submarine radio communication equipment, systems and programs (including submarine LAN systems). ET/NAVs are responsible for all operational and administrative aspects of submarine navigation and radio equipment, systems and programs.

Beyond that, if you’re interested in pursuing an electronics career that requires advanced nuclear training and involves working with nuclear reactor control, propulsion and power generation on Navy nuclear-powered submarines or aircraft carriers – there are also highly competitive electronics positions in the area ofnuclear operations.

[Anti M]

Psst, those are submarine ETs  who go through SECF, not the surface ETs here who go through AECF.  Very, very different ETs.  

I was an ET, surface, non-nuke.  

Electronic Technicians (ETs) are responsible for electronic equipment used to send and receive messages, computer information systems, long range radar, and calibration of test equipment. They maintain, repair, calibrate, tune, and adjust electronic equipment used for communications, detection and tracking, recognition and identification, navigation.

[ProudGMBarb]

I'm chuckling...I was gonna write a post saying "this doesn't sound like our ETs...Anti M was an ET...check with her!" You beat me to it Anti M!!!!

Just an additional note...all of our sailors should have received a description when they signed up. Here is an "excerpt" in case anyone wants to copy and save it. I also attached the whole page. (But Anti M already summed it up) This is take from the AECF description including ETs and FCs:

"Jobs performed by ETs and FCs are performed throughout the Navy's fleet of surface ships including aircraft carriers and Aegis cruisers, and at repair activities ashore.

ETs maintain and repair electronics equipment such as radar, communication and navigation equipment.

FCs operate, maintain and repari the Fire Control Radars, mainframe computers, large screen displays, LANS, weapon control consoles, automatic gun systems and associated electro-mechanical systems utilized in weapons systems.

These ratings comprise the basis of the ship's Combat Systems department and are responsible for maintaining the ship's readiness for combat operations."

[Anti M]

There are also aviation ETs, but they are called AT.   There are nuke ETs who work soley on the nuclear propulsion systems.  Surface ETs usually do not operate their own gear as FCs and submarine ETs do.   

Computers used to have a totally different rate working on them, but that was rolled into ET some time ago.  Before my time, the radar and communications ETs were designated separately.  Then you had ETs like my husband, who went as far as to fix the soda machine out at sea.  He was a hero that day.