AECF Depper, question about A/C schools.

[Mazing]

Hello everyone. I just got my ship date from MEPS yesterday and it's April 10 2014!

One thing that is definitely concerning me is the location of the schooling. I'm from south Florida and I'm used to very high humid temperatures and despise the cold. On the rating card sheet( the one that gives the job description) I was given it says the schooling for both A and C schools are in Illinois. Is this really true?
Also if it's not true, do I have any say in where I want to go to school. I'd love to be station in Norfolk due to the fact I have friends there.

My recruiter told me since he was top in his class he was able to request to be sent to be stationed where he wanted but he might of been lying idk.

Anyways any info is appreciated! Even if it goes off topic I need as much info as possible.

Side question: are we allowed to have a social life during a and c school? Or is it like a prison camp?

[D.Brothers]

Alright another AECF from south FL! You can have a social life like have your cell phone or computer to call or skype family and things. Your not confined to your room. You can do things

[calie89]

Your A school will be in Illinois, and you will be there for a while. It really depends on whether you get FC or ET. ET has a little longer school, but FCs are usually on hold for a lot longer. FC C schools are in San Diego (limited), Damneck, VA or Dahlgren, VA. I know that there are some ET C schools in San Diego and in VA and some in FL I think...not really too sure about the ET side of things.

As for FCs, the better you do in A school, the sooner you pick from the orders that are available. All FCs will go to C school. I am in Spy C school now, and currently, we do pick in order based on GPA and other contributing factors (inspections, volunteer hours, etc) But, A school is strictly GPA.

As for life while in school. A school is better than boot camp. Has ups and downs. C school is better. But, during both, you do have freedom, and you will have plenty of time for a social life.

[Mazing]

Your A school will be in Illinois, and you will be there for a while. It really depends on whether you get FC or ET. ET has a little longer school, but FCs are usually on hold for a lot longer. FC C schools are in San Diego (limited), Damneck, VA or Dahlgren, VA. I know that there are some ET C schools in San Diego and in VA and some in FL I think...not really too sure about the ET side of things.

As for FCs, the better you do in A school, the sooner you pick from the orders that are available. All FCs will go to C school. I am in Spy C school now, and currently, we do pick in order based on GPA and other contributing factors (inspections, volunteer hours, etc) But, A school is strictly GPA.

As for life while in school. A school is better than boot camp. Has ups and downs. C school is better. But, during both, you do have freedom, and you will have plenty of time for a social life.

Thanks for the info! Definitely cleared up a lot of things!
Also do we choose between ET or FC? or do they choose for you at boot camp?

[LT Guppy]

They choose for you.

[military bratt]

Ok i was reading it takes a while to go from a school to c school? Since you are active even though your not in school your still getting paid right? I know that sounds kind of stupid but im being legit?

[LT Guppy]

Yes you will still be paid.
You may have a while between A and C school, or you may just have the weekend between them; it just depends on the timing of your class and when the next C school class is due to start.

[military bratt]

for what I have seen before I thought I was going to stay at great lakes for a school and fc school(c school?) which would total ~30 weeks so i was expecting my wife to come stay with me is that going to affect it?

[military bratt]

well fc or et im hoping fc:D ha

[calie89]

You will be in GL for ATT and A school, and then go somewhere either VA or CA for C school. Your spouse can still live with you in GL for ATT and A school.

She may or may not be able to come with you to C school, depending on which NEC you choose (it must be long enough). The ones I can think of off the top of my head that she will not come are FCS COTS, tomahawk, ssds, probably a few more...

If you pick one of those out of A school, you will have follow on orders to a ship. If you do not pick one of those, like me for SPY, then you will pick orders for your ship while in C school.

My husband lived with me in GL and now lives here with me in Dahlgren for C school.

[military bratt]

So my wife would just stay in GL until i get to my first actual base/ship? Well unless its on our own dime?

[military bratt]

And how long is att for aecf

[calie89]

If she is not on your orders for C school, then yes. I knew of someone who got FCS COTS (C school in Dahlgren, VA) and orders to a ship in San Diego. He left in August to go to VA for school, and his wife moved to CA in October, and he will be there in December. But she could have waited until DEC to get there when he did.

She waited to move because they already got their Dislocation Allowance for FY 2013, so they waited until FY 2014 to move. However, they were originally from CA, so they had family there to help with the transition.

The Navy did pay to move them to CA, but I am not sure if they had to shell it out first (DITY move), and then get reimbursed, or if they Navy just paid for it (gov't move)

As for ATT, I believe for FCs, I think it is 10 weeks. I know it is longer for ETs, maybe 11 weeks. Just depends on what you get assigned at bootcamp.

[military bratt]

If she is not on your orders for C school, then yes. I knew of someone who got FCS COTS (C school in Dahlgren, VA) and orders to a ship in San Diego. He left in August to go to VA for school, and his wife moved to CA in October, and he will be there in December. But she could have waited until DEC to get there when he did.

She waited to move because they already got their Dislocation Allowance for FY 2013, so they waited until FY 2014 to move. However, they were originally from CA, so they had family there to help with the transition.

The Navy did pay to move them to CA, but I am not sure if they had to shell it out first (DITY move), and then get reimbursed, or if they Navy just paid for it (gov't move)

As for ATT, I believe for FCs, I think it is 10 weeks. I know it is longer for ETs, maybe 11 weeks. Just depends on what you get assigned at bootcamp.

Thank you so much this is really helpful so you will already havrE orders to the base/ship for after c school before you go?

[calie89]

It depends on which NEC you choose. If your C school is not long enough to bring your family, then yes you will have orders to a ship.

But if you have orders to a C school that is long enough for your family to accompany you, then you will not have orders to a ship. You will pick in C school.

[military bratt]

How do u like being an fc what do you do on a daily bases

[calie89]

To be honest, I am not going to claim to know what life as an FC is like. I have been in school the entire time I have been in the Navy. As for school life, its pretty easy. Your main responsibility is to learn your job. Just go to school, stand a few watches, and get lots of liberty time.

As for life as an FC in the fleet, the only experience I have is from what others (mostly instructors) have told me. The biggest determining factor in what your day to day life is like is what kind of FC you are (SPY, ACNT, FCS, CIWS, etc)
Each one works on different kind of equipment, and will stand different watches.

So, while in school, listen to what the instructors say about their respective NECs, and learn what each one is about, and decide which ones fit you. I decided on SPY because I wanted to be busy a lot. I wanted to be an AEGIS tech. I wanted to stand out for being good at my job.

Also, keep in mind that everyones experience is different. Try to take what others say under consideration, but try not to take it as gospel. Just because you like one instructor, and he says that his NEC is the best, that doesn't necessarily mean that it will be for you.

Overall, life as an FC is spent maintaining, repairing and operating your equipment, whichever NEC it is you choose. So, pick the equipment that you will be willing to spend the time to get to know, so you can be good at your job.

Sorry that was so long and scatter brained...hope it helps.

[DoubleY82]

During my DEP meetings the recruiters have mention that if you are at the top of your class in technical school you can choose which base you want to go too.

My question is there any special base that will help me advance in rank during my Navy career.

Cheers

[military bratt]

Basically, any where you go will have opertunities however I was told it looks really good if you volunteer for as many deployments as possible(correct me if I'm wrong) but as long as you volunteer/organize community service stay out of trouble know your job and make friends higher up(not by fraternizing) you should have no problem at all by advancement. PS by taking classes all the way thru your career does not look bad either!

[LT Guppy]

Worry about learning you job and getting your quals first. After that, yes, community service and continuing education always looks good.

Some people will recommend you volunteer for a variety of different platforms (don't just pick destroyers, volunteer for an amphib or other platform).
It used to be that "homesteading" (staying in one geographic location) was frowned upon. That is no longer the case, especially as the Navy looks to save money.

[Jazzy]

While on A school and when you are on liberty can you stay out during the weekend you're on liberty. I'm asking because my boyfriend graduates Jan 3rd and he has A school in GL. I was planning I going back up there in March and was wondering would he have to report back to the barracks at the end of the day? Or would he be able to come back as long as he report back Sunday night?

[LT Guppy]

Yes, once they phase up, they can request to stay off base for a weekend with you as their liberty buddy.

[Jazzy]

Yes, once they phase up, they can request to stay off base for a weekend with you as their liberty buddy.

Thank you Guppy :)

[DoubleY82]

During my DEP meetings the recruiters have mention that if you are at the top of your class in technical school you can choose which base you want to go too.

My question is there any special base that will help me advance in rank during my Navy career.

Cheers

Posted this a few months back, wanted to ask which job can I advance faster in rating FC or ET?

Cheers

[kforbs126]

Posted this a few months back, wanted to ask which job can I advance faster in rating FC or ET?

Cheers

Generally FC's advance faster but if you are a good ET and get really good evals and test scores you can advance just as fast. But advancement changes all the time. Typically ET's have slower advancement all the time. I've seen were FC's advancement opened up the past 2 years but I'm guessing that will go back to being harder to advance. FC to 1st class was hard for a very very long time.