Questions .. Please Help

[teamunique10]

Ok well I joined the Navy an all they told me that I would do 4 year plus and additional 24 months. I am going into Advanced Computer Electronics and they said school would last me that entire time, BUT I am obligated to 8 years of service. What does this mean for one thing and would I ever be put on a ship or sub if I was in school the whole time? Please help me out because not only me but my family as well wants to know what going on before I get sworn in and shipped.

[Brad]

hmmm... So you signed on the dotted line and you're not even sure for how long or what you signed up for? Well, let's see if we can help you out.

You're probably going to be on a ship or sub. You definitely won't spend your whole time in the service at school. I think 14 months or less is more likely for the amount of time you'll spend at school for this job.

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Electronics Technician (Advanced Electronics Computer Field) (ET)
General Info:

The Navy's Advanced Electronics / Computer Field offers extensive training in all aspects of electronics including computer systems, radars, communications systems and weapons fire control systems such as the Navy's advanced missile system, Aegis. The standards for selection for enlistment in the Navy's Advanced Electronics / Computer Field are high. Personnel interested in applying for Advanced Electronics / Computer Field should be seriously interested in pursuing the challenge this highly technical field offers. They must be mature, ready to take on significant responsibility and willing to apply themselves. Enlistees enter as E-1s (seaman recruits). Advancement to paygrade E-2 (seaman apprentice) will be made after successful completion of recruit training. Advancement to E-3 will be made after completion of all advancement-in-rate requirements (including minimum time and course work). Advancement to paygrade E-4 (petty officer third class) will be made after successful completion of initial school training and after all advancement-in-rate requirements (including minimum time and course work) are completed. Advancement to E-3 and E-4 is contingent upon maintaining eligibility in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field program. Eligible personnel may be paid bonuses at the time of re-enlistment. All bonuses are in addition to Navy salary and allowances for food and housing.

What They Do:

Only two Navy job specialties, called "ratings," are included in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field: Electronics Technician (ET) and Fire Controlman (FC). The rating in which an Advanced Electronics / Computer Field candidate is trained is determined in the initial phase of the Advanced Electronics Technical Core Course in Great Lakes, Ill. However, eligibility requirements are the same for both ratings in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field. ETs maintain and repair electronics equipment such as radar, communication and navigation equipment. The ET and FC (AEF) ratings comprise the basis of the ship's Combat Systems department aboard ships and are responsible for maintaining the ship's readiness for combat operations.

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ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN (NAVIGATION) ETV (SUB)



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Note: Below are listed responsibilities for grades E-4 (3) and E-7 (c) for this job. Paygrades E-1 through E-3 assist in these tasks



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ET3 (SUB)

A. RADAR

A4.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "RADAR OPERATOR"

QUALIFICATION CARD

A4.002 PERFORM CLEAN AND INSPECT PMS ON NAVIGATION RADAR

EQUIPMENT

A4.003 OPERATE AND TEST LOCAL ONBOARD COMMERICIAL RADAR

EQUIPMENT

B. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

B4.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "BASIC NAVIGATION/

OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT" QUALIFICATION CARD

B4.002 MAKING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARD SATISFYING THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE "STRATEGIC NAVIGATION CENTER

WATCH" QUALIFICATION CARD (SSBN)

D. AUXILARY/SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

D4.001 MAKING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARD SATISFYING THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE "AUXILIARY ELECTRICIAN FORWARD"

QUALIFICATION CARD

D4.002 TEST AND OPERATE SYNCHRO AND SERVO SYSTEMS

D4.003 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR REMOTE WATER LEVEL AND

INDICATING CONTROL SYSTEMS

D4.004 TROUBLESHOOT/REPAIR AND ALIGN VALVE INDICATING

EQUIPMENT

D4.005 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR LOUDSPEAKERS

D4.006 TROUBLESHOOT AND RERAIR SOUND-POWERED PHONE

AMPLIFIERS AND PHONE STATIONS

D4.007 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR LIQUID LEVEL ALARM SENSING

DEVICES

D4.008 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR POWER FAILURE ALARM DEVICES

D4.009 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR ALARM SWITCHBOARDS

D4.010 ALIGN PRESSURE ALARM SENSING DEVICES

D4.011 REPLACE SWITCHBOARD METERS

E. GENERAL ELECTRONIC

E4.001 ANALYZE AND INTERPRET MAINTENANCE SCHEMATICS AND

SYSTEM DIAGRAMS

E4.002 TEST AND OPERATE POWER SUPPLIES

E4.003 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR CABLE/CONNECTORS

G. NAVIGATION

G4.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "LOOKOUT"

QUALIFICATION CARD

G4.002 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "DUTY NAVIGATION

ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN" QUALIFICATION CARD

G4.003 MAKING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARD SATISFYING THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE "QUARTERMASTER OF THE WATCH"

QUALIFICATION CARD

ET2 (SUB)

A. RADAR

A5.001 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR NAVIGATION RADAR EQUIPMENT

A5.002 ADJUST AND ALIGN NAVIGATION RADAR EQUIPMENT



INITIAL/DATE

B. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

B5.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "STRATEGIC NAVIGATION

CENTER WATCH" QUALIFICATION CARD (SSBN)

B5.002 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "STRATEGIC NAVIGATION

TECHNICIAN" QUALIFICATION CARD (NON-TNCP SSBN)

B5.003 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR STRATEGIC INERTIAL NAVIGATION

SYSTEM (SSBN)

B5.004 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM

(SSN) INCLUDING GPS EQUIPMENT



D. AUXILARY/SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

D5.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "AUXILIARY

ELECTRICIAN FORWARD" QUALIFICATION CARD

D5.002 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR SHIP’S INTERCOMMUNICATIONS

SYSTEM INCLUDING ASSOCIATED PERIPHERAL AND ALARM EQUIPMENT/

CIRCUITS

D5.003 TROUBLESHOOT/REPAIR AND ALIGN SYCHRO AND SERVO

SYSTEMS

D5.004 TROUBLESHOOT/REPAIR AND ADJUST/ALIGN CENTRAL

ATMOSPHERE AND MONITORING SYSTEM (CAMS)

D5.005 TROUBLESHOOT/REPAIR AND ADJUST/ALIGN DEPTH DETECTOR

AND ASSOCIATED INDICATING EQUIPMENT

D5.006 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR ELECTRO-MAGNETIC (EM) LOG

SYSTEM

D5.007 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR SHIP’S CONTROL CONSOLES

(BCP/SCP)

D5.008 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR ALARM SENSING/INDICATING

SYSTEMS

D5.009 TROUBLESHOOT/REPAIR AND ADJUST/ALIGN FLOW AND LEVEL

MONITORING EQUIPMENT

D5.010 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR SHIP’S STEERING AND DIVING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

D5.011 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR SHIP’S GYROCOMPASS AND

ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

E. GENERAL ELECTRONIC

E5.001 TROUBLESHOOT/REPAIR AND ADJUST/ALIGN POWER SUPPLIES

E5.002 MEASURE TRANSMISSION LINES’ CHARACTERISTICS USING A

TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETER (TDR)

E5.003 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR TRANSFORMERS

E5.004 VERIFY SHIP’S BLUPRINTS

G. NAVIGATION

G5.001 MAKING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARD SATISFYING THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE "QUARTERMASTER OF THE WATCH"

QUALIFICATION CARD

ET1 (SUB)

A. RADAR

A6.001 TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR COMMERICIAL RADAR EQUIPMENT

A6.002 SUPERVISE THE MAINTENANCE/TROUBLESHOOTNG AND REPAIR

OF NAVIGATION RADAR SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT

B. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

B6.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "NAVIGATION CENTER

SUPERVISOR" QUALIFICATION CARD (SSBN)

B6.002 SUPERVISE THE MAINTENANCE/TROUBLESHOOTNG AND REPAIR

OF THE INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT



D. AUXILARY/SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

D6.001 REPAIR VALVE POSITION INDICATING SYSTEMS

D6.002 SUPERVISE THE MAINTENANCE/TROUBLESHOOTNG AND REPAIR

OF SHIP’S AUXILARY SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

G. NAVIGATION

G6.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "QUARTERMASTER OF THE

WATCH" QUALIFICATION CARD

G6.002 PLAN AND REVIEW SUBMARINE OPERATIONS

G6.003 CONDUCT PILOTING BRIEF

G6.004 EVALUATE NAVIGATIONAL INFORMATION AS THE ASSISTANT

NAVIGATOR DURING SURFACED AND SUBMERGED OPERATIONS

G6.005 EVALUATE THE SHIP’S NAVIGATION TEAMS PERFORMANCE

ETC (SUB)

A. RADAR

A7.001 SUPERVISE THE TRAINING OF THE RADAR SYSTEM/EQUIPMENT

B. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

B7.001 SUPERVISE THE STARTUP OF AN INERTIAL NAVIGATION

SYSTEM

B7.002 SUPERVISE THE SHUT DOWN OF AN INERTIAL NAVIGATION

SYSTEM

B7.003 SUPERVISE THE TRAINING OF THE INERTIAL NAVIGATION

SYSTEM/EQUIPMENT

D. AUXILARY/SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

D7.001 SUPERVISE THE TRAINING OF THE SHIP’S AUXILARY SUPPORT

EQUIPMENT

G. NAVIGATION

G7.001 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "CONTACT

COORDINATOR" QUALIFICATION CARD

G7.002 SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE "ASSISTANT

NAVIGATIOR" QUALIFICATION CARD

G7.003 PREPARE NAVIGATION REPORTS OF OPERATIONS AND

EXERCISES

[teamunique10]

Thanks for that, what I meant was that I do understand what I will be doing as in a job, but as they told me it would take me 6 years to complete my training and schooling. What they didn't tell me was if I would be stationed in Great Lakes the whole time (which is where my A School is located). So I am just confused as to where I well be those years, and what about the following two years I am obligated to? I know I am free after the 6 years unless something comes up in those two years.

Sorry I am just new to everything and trying to figure everything out before I can put in my papers to change my ship date so I'll be able to take the nuclear test and qualify for that.

[Brad]

You should probably clarify things with your recruiter. I can't imagine that you'd spend six years in school and then that the Navy would let you out without you ever using the skills they taught you in the Navy.

The way it usually works is 4 years active duty, 2 years reserve, 2 years inactive reserve. Again, though, talk with your recruiter again. There's no way you're going to spend your entire time in the service at Great Lakes going to school.

Only two Navy job specialties, called "ratings," are included in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field: Electronics Technician (ET) and Fire Controlman (FC). The rating in which an Advanced Electronics / Computer Field candidate is trained is determined in the initial phase of the Advanced Electronics Technical Core Course in Great Lakes, Ill. However, eligibility requirements are the same for both ratings in the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field. ETs maintain and repair electronics equipment such as radar, communication and navigation equipment. The ET and FC (AEF) ratings comprise the basis of the ship's Combat Systems department aboard ships and are responsible for maintaining the ship's readiness for combat operations.

The vast majority of the people in your field are going to be on a ship.

[teamunique10]

Ok well thanks for giving me some information on this .. you've done more then my recruiter has. He's leaving soon to be put on the USS Gettysburg and basically acts like he doesn't care. Thanks again.

[Grimmy]

Hold on then and waite for the new recruiter to be posted to your area.

It is a good thing that you have a real desire to serve, but dont go in "ass out". It is your responsibility to make sure you are getting the deal you want and are not getting fed a line of crap just to fill a quota slot.

This is where the lessons learned from service start. Your enlistment contract. You can get a good deal and set yourself up for a good career or get yourself into a tub of mud.

This is about your life. Take charge and dont rush it or let anyone push you around.

[teamunique10]

Yeah and thats where I messed up my parents forced and rushed me into this and I messed up and got a branch and a job that I didn't want. Now I will be shipping out September 5th unless I get changes changed to where I want them. Thanks guys.

[Grimmy]

One thing to consider. If you really do have a slot in the field you stated, that is some mighty powerful education and, while it might not appeal to you now, will definatly put you ahead of the herd when it comes time to make the dollars.

That might seem like a bad motivation but hell, grab the brass ring as soon as you can.

Also, keep this in mind, if you discover that you really do enjoy the Navy life but not necessarily the job slot you have, there may be some really tasty re-enlistment options available once you've finished your first enlistement.

[teamunique10]

I made high enough on my ASVAB to qualify for it but my recruiter told me that I have a small chance of making high enough on the nuclear test to be put into the school. I have to make a 65 and I think he mentioned the highest score possible was a 75 or 80. I wasn't happy with the Navy in the first place but my Coast Guard recruiter left town and didn't ever call me back. I would like to be in the CG better because its where I originally wanted to go but I'm just confused right now.

[Grimmy]

Have you actually raised your right hand at MEPS and sworn the oath?

I believe the case to be, that if you haven't actually taken the oath yet, the contract can be voided. Someone here will verify whether or not that's how it works now, but I do believe it is true.

If so, then void that contract and wait for what you really want. This is about your life. Don't let anyone force you into a deal you are not happy with.

[teamunique10]

I've done the mach oath but I havent actually sworn in and ready to be shipped off. Everyone, including my recruiter, has told me that I have until the day I ship to end my contract.