I realize that I'll probably be shuffled into one of these specialties at school, but does anyone (or everyone) have an opinion on the best job? Also, are there (or is there) a different rating badge for Submariners as a FT, ET, or ST from those of surface duty?

As a side tangent...What Boat is the best duty?

Thanks!

I am definitely in line waiting for an answer to this burning question too as I am in the same SECF program. I wonder where my fate will lead me.

What do you like to do?

That's really what it comes down to. I can sing the praises of the FT rating til the cows come home, but if you don't enjoy working with computer networks, working with weapons or thinking logically through vector problems then you won't enjoy it.

Likewise Sonar, Radio, and Navigation/IC. They all have different day-to-day type duties, and I can't really answer the question "What's Best," without knowing what you're looking for from your job.

Right now for my job, I take care of a company's small networked Lan and Wan over a couple of states. I wanted to supplement my computer background with some electronics, so that is why I chose SECF.

If I understand correctly, the FT takes care of the ship's Lan as part of the duties, but again, I think it would be beneficial to try something new, as opposed to doing the same thing. Heck, that's why I joined the Navy; to have new experiences.

I was an ET for 6 yrs and enjoyed it. I did cross train to stand sonar underway. I loved that. But it is hard to say what you will like. Just remember it will be a lot of hard work but there are some great rewards too.

Well, if you have to be a cone, being a Sonar girl always seemed to be the slackest of the slack. Them and NavETtes 'bout the same.

I worked with the FTs a lot as I was Ships Silencing PO. Never really saw them around much underway. Don't know if it was because they were busy, or just a buncha rack backs. LOL. The FTs do run the LAN, but also have responsibility for ships silencing, and monitoring all the machinery noise. Important job if you want to stay quiet.

i'm thinking et is what i may like...by buddy does sonar on boats (targets) and wants me to do sts...i don't know if i'd like it though...heck, he's still in a school i believe...but et sounded more along the lines of what i'd like...i don't believe i'd like ft though...

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfgang808:

I just love subtle , it just is
and don't forget

BTW FAST ATTACK

...ft...boomer ***

I also just signed on the dotted line for a contract involving SECF. I'll be hoping for STS, but I'm not even sure it's a decision we get to make.

Good Luck Shipmate

I am just about to graduate STS "A" school. When your in BESS (Sub school) your Petty Officer will have your class fill out a dream sheet. You rank STS, FT, and ET in the order you want. FT is the hardest to get, they have a lot of STS and ET (You dont get to pick NAV or Radio, you get told which one you are)

FT divisions on boats are smaller. So there are less of us. You have the opportunity to shine or look like a big retard because of this.

Yes it does make selecting FT a tough prospect on the dream sheets. If you select STS or ET you have a reasonable chance of getting it.
If you pick FT be prepared to get your second choice.

FT's and STS's belong to Weapons Dept. The STS's going through SECF 'A' school haven't learned this yet really. They will be in for a shock when they get to the boat and have to work with the TM's (MMW officially)
FT's track stuff with the STSs and operate weapons with the TM's. Yes being an FT is a little like being the bastard child of Sonarmen and Torpedomen.
It's still the best job ever in my opinion. Shoot Tomahawks and ADCAPS woot!
Don't listen to the Trident FT's. They might as well be Sonarmen with all that sound silencing stuff they do.

Don't worry about the LAN stuff. LAN divisions are being farmed out to all 4 SECF T-rates. 2 or 3 years ago they focused on getting senior FT's to be LAN administrators but it threw off appropriate advancement and made the rate top-heavy. They since have started correcting that error. LAN stuff isn't heavy till the E-5 level or higher anyways unless you volunteer to be the LAN admins slave. This will then be in ADDITION to your normal duties.

I won't comment on NavET's and RadioET's since they are NAVOPS and you should have somebody enthusiastic about those fields explain what they do.

I will add this to comments on FT: with the new BYG-1 TI-04 and above fire control system, you WILL need at least a mediocre grounding in how computer networks operate, and a good understanding of Linux will help immensely.

Also, I always looked at FT div as the leadership of weapons department. We provide the enlisted interface with the OOD for both the torpedo room and the section tracking party. We're more 'glue' than 'bastard children.'

Who would you rather your WDEA be...a TM or an FT?

I would say glue too, but I try to keep it humble sometimes.
I've always had the Weapons Dept LCPO be a TM. It's fine that way. Our TMCS looked out for his FT's. Part of being on a VLS boat where those two divisions are much closer and much more entwined.

As far as the LAN stuff, it is being farmed out to the other SECF rates more and more. On the Virginia class they have a dedicated IT division which consists of SECF fleet returnees (ie NOT first-termers) The Sonar system is also heavily LAN-based and RADIO is now all IP-addressing LAN-based to comply with surface fleet radio functionality.
The only SECF rate which seems to be lagging behind on the LAN-side of the house is the Navigation ET's. Not sure how LANtastic they become on the Virginias.

I was an ESMET but was always called a NAVET. That used to bug the hell out of me.

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfgang808:

LMAO I GOT A GOOD LAUGH FROM THAT LOL

Always liked my sonar job. I wouldn't do anything else in the Nav.
So you get grief from nukes. Big deal. Just tell them to shut up and push the sphere around. They love that.
As far as what boat has the best duty, that's a toss up. I served on a boomer and 3 fast boats, and for me fast boat duty was better. Port calls, interesting missions, and 95% less whining. The only thing I ever hear from SSBN guys is "OFF CREW!".
Sorry, parents didn't raise me to be a lazy ba$tard when there's work to be done.
Your milage may vary.

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

On my first boat I crossqualified Sonar and Fire Control watches underway. I enjoyed Sonar the best. If I had it to do all over again I probably would have gone sonar.