I'm thinking about going isolated Loran. When does the solicitation begin for those? Are they on the regular shopping list? Did I miss my chance for AY09? How long is the C school for Loran? V/R ET1 Taylor
ET1, They post the billets at the same time as the rest. As for the schools it depends ST. Paul is solid state loran which is about 4 weeks, while the others are all tube loran and about 6 weeks.
LORSTA ATTU, 1980, yes it was a long time ago, we did not have the creature comforts of the internet and satilite TV, but life away from you family still is a mental game you must be strong at. The freinds (or enimys) you make during the long period are going to be with you for a Looong time, I still keep in contact with the others from my unit. Those with children need to find a good support group to take care of them while gone, they are used to you doing all of that. My neghboor was the ETC up in Alaska a few years back, was his second trip. The cat 1 priority is nice, make your next job your dream one. Have fun...
Thanks for the info, I'm still on the fence about going and I'm not even sure if I'll get it even if I put in for it but I think it would be a good experience. And I've always wanted to see Alaska. The Cat 1 would definitely be nice, too. Thanks again
Do you have kids? I am at Pt Clarence right now and I have a 1yr old, a 2yr old and a 12yr old. The only thing that is not so good about being here is being away from my children. I get to talk to them every day though. We have internet in all of our rooms and televisions with cable hook up in our rooms as well. We have a decent gym and a nice rec deck and a movie lounge. We get our own rooms and every two rooms share a bathroom. Our work day is 0700 to 1300 and we start at 0800 on fridays. Duty rotation depends on how many people are qualified. It is pretty fun here. Tube Type school is 5 weeks. I am the ET1 here and the job is not bad at all. If you are still interested in what it is like, email me at work, I am ET1 Jennifer Barnes. As far as the units, this is one of the better tube type ones from what I am told. It is one of the few isolated with females. Ours is better just because of the fact that we are able to get a flight out whenever we want through Bering Air and we get mail a couple times a week usually. Most of the other isolated ones have to wait every 3 weeks for a CG log flight to bring them their mail.
Jen: It sounds like a resort there. When I was there in 78/79 there was no TV or internet. We got 28 movies on the log flight. We did have armed forces radio but it had loran chatter in it. The second building was berthing for E-6 and below. One head no females. But there was a saunas and the poo,.In the taank room. The pool was great in the winter, we kept it at about 85 deg. Hate to say it as it was fun there. We would hike down to the fish camp and check out the eskimos. Or right at the turn to go to the airport we would dig for artifacts. Duck hunting and fishing was fun. I have to say that time went by fast if you just got out and did things. Must be warm there now about 40 to 50 deg? I have read most of your posts about isolated duty and your kids. Hang in there and you will get where ever you want to go.
Jen- Not sure how much longer you are there, but I am taking Clint Smith's spot in January. I have 3 kids as well....... I figure doing it while they're young is better than waiting until later. I'm looking forward to getting up there; even though it'll be in the dead of winter!
I was the ETC at KPC in 2004. I loved it. I managed to get the Satellite Internet installed while I was there and experience the 30 year storm to restock the firewood! We were kind of running low. The whole place around us flooded and the tunnel to the Xmtr bldg did too. Also in the winter the winds pushed all the ice up on shore and took out the fuel line used for the annual fuel resupply. It was definitely an interesting year. While I was there I published a great Website so those thinking about going there would have no doubts what it was like there. Too bad the CG took away a good website. The one the CG uses now sucks. I kept a copy as a souvenir. Hey Jen, is that little cabin still standing by the shoreline?
I was stationed at St. Paul Island in '06. I was the OPS ET1 and was there when they started building the new solid-state transmitter... and I would say that puts St. Paul Island on the top of the isolated LORAN stations. Everyone gets their own room with tv and internet. Females can be stationed there, but there must be two. We get a flight at least 4 times a week, which translates to mail more frequently!! Each LORAN unit has its own unique traits and each one provides it own comforts! Also, we worked with the local tribal council and received hunting permits for the reindeer! mmmm good!! There is a local school that we would volunteer at and we played basketball against the highschool. Thats another great feature about St. Paul... there is a local community complete with a clinic, store, and bar. Plus, the crab boats from "Deadliest Catch" come and dock/anchor off the island. No matter which LORAN station you choose... you have to make the best of it. You will make some of the best friends in your career.
Originally posted by pwrboter: I was the ETC at KPC in 2004. I loved it. I managed to get the Satellite Internet installed while I was there and experience the 30 year storm to restock the firewood! We were kind of running low. The whole place around us flooded and the tunnel to the Xmtr bldg did too. Also in the winter the winds pushed all the ice up on shore and took out the fuel line used for the annual fuel resupply. It was definitely an interesting year. While I was there I published a great Website so those thinking about going there would have no doubts what it was like there. Too bad the CG took away a good website. The one the CG uses now sucks. I kept a copy as a souvenir. Hey Jen, is that little cabin still standing by the shoreline?
The cabin is definitely still standing. It is used by the eskimos alot.
