I was just wondering, in general, how difficult is ET A-school? What are the hardest parts? Do you have to be a math genius/

Math genius, no. I still can't add or multiply; and I did okay. I use a cheat sheet for service tips, when eating out or going to the salon. What is the going rate for tips now; 10% or 20%? I got to get my hair did tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by smirfy:
Math genius, no. I still can't add or multiply; and I did okay. I use a cheat sheet for service tips, when eating out or going to the salon. What is the going rate for tips now; 10% or 20%? I got to get my hair did tomorrow.

Do you smoke?

From what I see coming out of Petaluma it must be a requirement. Work for 10 minutes, take a smoke break.

No Sadiesboyfriend. No smoky smoke for me.

Smoking should be a personal choice, and not a peer determinant. Those who are allowing the later to influence there smoking decision, are probably young, impressionable, and laking self-esteem.

JMO.

quote:

Originally posted by stevefrank88:
I was just wondering, in general, how difficult is ET A-school? What are the hardest parts? Do you have to be a math genius/

ET 'A' School is only as hard as you make it... I didn't find it to be as hard as many people made it out to be, but there are those who find it extremely difficult... I would highly recommend study hall if you find yourself struggling, even a little bit... Analog is considered by most students to be the hardest class, but if you pay attention you'll do just fine... A lot of the students in my class that goofed off and didn't take it seriously... Most of them were sent back at least once... Some were sent back into the fleet as non-rates... It would behoove you walk a straight line while you're there... And treat 'A' School for what it is... A job... It's not college... You signed a contract, you accepted this job... Do yourself a huge favor as treat it like one... I saw too many people mess up their potential careers due to stupid mistakes...

Anything else you need as far as info on 'A' School... You can ask on here, or look me up in global...

ET3 Sends...

quote:

Originally posted by smirfy:
No Sadiesboyfriend. No smoky smoke for me.

Smoking should be a personal choice, and not a peer determinant. Those who are allowing the later to influence there smoking decision, are probably young, impressionable, and laking self-esteem.

JMO.

.and don't forget to mention the most important thing-


it's KOOL!

quote:

Originally posted by stevefrank88:
What are the hardest parts?

The hardest parts seem to be not drinking if you are underage, not drinking and driving and staying out of barracks rooms assigned to members of the opposite sex.

Going to 'A' school is a job, the Coast Guard is paying you to be there. If you want to make up for whatever you think you missed by not going to college, then get out and go to college. Focus on your school work, use the extra study hall time or whatever they call it when you need some extra help, and it will benefit you greatly for the rest of the time you are in.

quote:

Originally posted by onewhl750:

quote:

Originally posted by stevefrank88:
What are the hardest parts?

The hardest parts seem to be not drinking if you are underage, not drinking and driving and staying out of barracks rooms assigned to members of the opposite sex.

Going to 'A' school is a job, the Coast Guard is paying you to be there. If you want to make up for whatever you think you missed by not going to college, then get out and go to college. Focus on your school work, use the extra study hall time or whatever they call it when you need some extra help, and it will benefit you greatly for the rest of the time you are in.

GI was so much better-

Sadiesboyfriend
GI. Wow I haven't heard that in a while. I agree way too much time wasted smoking. Eveytime I need someone in my shop I just go out to the smoking area.
Stevefrank88
No "A" school is not hard at all. As is the way in the military these days everything is spoon fed. One of my old shipmates is now an instructor at Petaluma. "Only as fast as the slowest person" is their pace. Good luck, if you decide to go.

Okak, I'll bite. What is GI?
All I can think of Gastro-Intestinal, No?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: smirfy,

Governors Island. ET "A" used to be taught there,

You guys went to "A" school there? Wasn't that closed in the early 90's or late 80's.
You guys have been in 4ever. Wow!

quote:

Originally posted by smirfy:
You guys went to "A" school there? Wasn't that closed in the early 90's or late 80's.
You guys have been in 4ever. Wow!

Like, yeah. We were taught to troubleshoot (take a breath before you go any further) to component level.

A side note might be needed here: a component is one of those tiny things located on the circuit board that's inside the black box you usually switch out.

You would have loved GI. New York City was just a ferry ride away.....and not a single pasture in sight.

Okay, so you must be retired, no? Or a MC?

Believe it or not, Petaluma taught us down to component level, at least 8 1/2 yrs ago. I don't know where you heard otherwise. Grant you, things are a bit different now. But don't assume we are any more inferior to you, just because you started off at "GI" and we at a Cow pasture. It is what you do with an education that counts.

Unfortunately now, the school has been abbreviated and structured for the very basic of Electronics education, due to budgeting and poor planning. It is necessary for the units, they are first stationed, to provide the proper OJT and guidance. If the new tech is not motivated to learn and grow, then no amount of education can help. I think that is growing problem (motivation), not education. It could be just a generational difference that you are seeing. If so, we will have to take a different approach, to teach and motivate our new techs.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: smirfy,

The hardest part is keeping it together, it is two years of College in six months and it can be stressful. Thats why some people don't make it, plus for a lot it's their first time out on their own and you have a bunch of money to spend.

A school component troubleshooting is about the first 6 months, then you go and work on the Harris and RT-9000.

As for the math, I tested into precollege math after A school. Most of it is calculator work and plugging in the correct formula.

My biggest reccomendation is to get a good night's sleep as often as possible during the week. Also, try your best to build thick skin. My experience of A-school was unfortunately, a lot like a high school.

The math is no big deal, it sucks if you're not a math person like I was, but it'll make a mathmagician out of you if you can take it all in.

It's a pretty good time all in all, even if you're not the most succesful guy or gal there. Just make sure this is what you want to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Hans5849:
The hardest part is keeping it together, it is two years of College in six months and it can be stressful. Thats why some people don't make it, plus for a lot it's their first time out on their own and you have a bunch of money to spend.

A school component troubleshooting is about the first 6 months, then you go and work on the Harris and RT-9000.

As for the math, I tested into precollege math after A school. Most of it is calculator work and plugging in the correct formula.

Info is either outdated or poorly informed... Regardless, it is incorrect...

ET 'A' School is roughly 7 months in length with classes generally two weeks in length (sometimes more) apiece...

The units of study are as follows...

- Core Practical (Basic electronics safety, soldering, tower climbing, weather-proofing)

- DC Circuits (Basic electronics theory, resistors, analog and digital multi-meters)

- AC Circuits (Oscilloscope operation and theory, capacitors, inductors, enhancement upon theory learned in DC)

- Analog 1 (Combination of DC and AC in same circuits, transistor theory)

- Analog 2 (Advanced Circuits utilizing all circuits previously learned with the introduction of amplifiers and power supplies... Arguably the most academically challenging course in 'A' School)

- Digital Circuits/Synchro Servos (Binary languages, logic gates, IC Chips, etc... Also basic synchro servo theory...

- Radio Frequency Fundamentals/Harris R-2368 Receiver (RF theory, propagation paths, RF Spectrum, antenna theory, AM/FM/SSB, etc... Along with familiarization and troubleshooting the Harris)

- RT-9000 HF Transceiver (Familiarization and troubleshooting, along with the first look at a transceiver)

- KDF-538/XTL-5000 (Direction finder and VHF transceiver)

- Scalable Integrated Navigation System (SINS) (Your first and only look at a RADAR in 'A' School... Valuable course for anyone headed to an ESU/ESD/ESDD as it is used on pretty much everything from the 25' RB-S to the 210' WMEC)

- Classified Course (You have to go through it to know what's taught)


ET 'A' School's 28 week course doesn't consist of 6 months of theory and only two types of gear... It goes a little more in depth than that...

ET3 Sends...

gallagher? that you? how's kodiak man? i made it to yorktown...

quote:

Originally posted by etcampbell:
gallagher? that you? how's kodiak man? i made it to yorktown...

Well I'll be... How the heck are ya Sean?

quote:

Originally posted by smirfy:
Okay, so you must be retired, no? Or a MC?

Believe it or not, Petaluma taught us down to component level, at least 8 1/2 yrs ago. I don't know where you heard otherwise. Grant you, things are a bit different now. But don't assume we are any more inferior to you, just because you started off at "GI" and we at a Cow pasture. It is what you do with an education that counts.

Unfortunately now, the school has been abbreviated and structured for the very basic of Electronics education, due to budgeting and poor planning. It is necessary for the units, they are first stationed, to provide the proper OJT and guidance. If the new tech is not motivated to learn and grow, then no amount of education can help. I think that is growing problem (motivation), not education. It could be just a generational difference that you are seeing. If so, we will have to take a different approach, to teach and motivate our new techs.

Chief, Believe it or not, ET "A" School is no longer abbreviated or structured for only the basics. Today's ET "A" graduates are well-trained and ready to be ETs, and get the kind of training I wish I had gotten (back on GI). But, even so, every PO3 graduate of every "A" School still needs plenty of OJT and guidance. nature of the system...

r/