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Military.com Forums Coast Guard Discussions Avionics Electrical Technician (AET) Just Graduated from Cape May and want to go AET|
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Basic Training |
Hi, my name is Chris and I just graduated from Cape May as a Fireman I've got a ton of questions so here goes.
I'm stationed at a small boat station until I get picked up for the airman program. I'd like to know what are some of the first steps I should take to be an AET. I took my flight physical a little less then a year ago and passed that, my ASVAB scores are good as well. I've been told AET is critical by some and others say it's not, which one is it? Also, how long is it going to be before I can begin the airman program? What is the airman program? What do we do during the airman program? What sort of schedule do you have during the airman program? Do we have a say in which air station we can start the airman program? Anything you can add towards going from a fresh boot non-rate to AET? |
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You took your flight physical almost a year ago?
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Basic Training |
Yes, just under a year I've been applying for OCS as well. My long term goal is to fly for the USCG.
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How do you know you want to be an AET if you don't know anything about USCG aviation? When you ask questions like "What is the airman program?" and "What do we do during the airman program?" that to me says your not very informed about USCG aviation and more than likley are looking for the quickest way to get away from the unit you just reported to or looking for the fastest way to get your crows(ie a critical rating). As I understand it you need to get yourself fully qualified at your station(CO's standing orders) before you can even put your name on the AET list, that means 6-12 months BEFORE you even get to ask that your name be added to the list, then approx 4 months before your scheduled A school report date you will begin the airman program at a nearby air station, assuming you pass that, then you go to A school. If you wish to educate yourself a little more about USCG aviation, spend some time around these parts, there a NUMEROUS threads from which to gleen wisdom on the life-n-times of a USCG aviator! For now I'd suggest you pay more attention to the life-n-times of an FN at a small boat station! Good luck and welcome to the USCG -Jeff
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Basic Training |
As for whether AET is critical or not, do a little poking around in your free time and check out CGMS. CGCentral also has lists some of the categories for messages, and you might be able to find the last one soliciting. Even if AET school isn't "critical", the rate is still in need of new people. We routinely exhaust the advancement list for E-5.
The airman program, depending on the air station, is really about stripping the boatie-coastie mindset and indoctrinating you with an aviation mindset. Much as the "one Coast Guard" ideal gets been batted around, the aviation community is different in how we work. The airman program introduces you to that. It's also in place to identify people who despite passing their ASVAB and flight physical... aren't really good candidates for aviation. Some people just don't mesh well with this culture, and might find more happiness on a boat. It's best to identify that BEFORE going to school. If you're looking to go AET, I would suggest brushing up on your algebra and maybe getting a textbook or two on electrical theory. Knowing the basics beforehand is going to make A-School a breeze. Also, as a word of advice from someone who got jerked around for an extra year on a 378 before I could go to school, set the goal to be an aviator and don't waver from it. Don't let people get in the way of that. |
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Basic Training |
Thanks for the replies. I've taken a couple trips to air stations and talked to enough people to know that AET is the rating I will like to go. I ask what the airman program is because at boot camp no one could really tell me when I asked them. There were only two people on the regiment who were in aviation and the one time they were available our company was busy with other matters. It's quite offensive to suggest that I'm looking for a "quick way out" when you don't know anything about me. Don't get me wrong I've read the CG Manual and what I can expect in aviation but that doesn't tell me much, so forgive me for asking questions about the process to go AET, on a forum, I didn't know that was frowned upon.
You're right I am very uninformed on what I can expect as an airman, or what to expect at a-school, and the daily life of an AET. It is that reason I will make a trip to the nearest air station and try and shadow an AET on my off days. All I want from this forum is a general idea of what the process is like and what to expect. |
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Would you give the kid the same ration of crap if he wanted to be an HS? |
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That's telling him, sounds like SpanishSurfer is just trying to do some research. |
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Basic Training |
Here are some detailed questions about the AET rating. Hope someone can answer them, thanks ahead of time!
* What sort of work hours/rotation can I expect while in the 4 month long airman program, while at A-school, and as a fresh AET3? * What sort of qualifications will I be working on while I'm in the airman program? * What jobs will I have as an airman and AET3? * How often do we fly while in the airman program and as an AET3? * How is advancement as an AET? * Do we get to live on cutters? If so how long? What do we do while on them? Anything else you can add about being an AET on a cutter? * What can I do to prepare myself for the airman program? * Do we live in a barracks, BAH, or government lease; while in the airman program, A-school, and as a fresh AET3? * What is an average day like for an airman? An AET3? * What are common billets for an AET3? * What's the best part about being an AET? * What's the worst part about being an AET? * If you were to start fresh as an airman what would you have done differently? What is some good advice you know of while in the airman program and A-school? * Can we request which air station we would like to begin the airman program at? (I'd like to be at Miami or Clearwater) * What are some of the differences between aviation and boats in the USCG? (Besides the obvious) * AET is critical right now, how long will it be before I get orders? * As an AET3 how soon are we able to go out on missions with the aircraft? (SAR, LE, etc) * Can we pick which platform we want to specialize in while at a-school? Anything else you want to add is greatly appreciated! |
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I sure would if his post was titled "Just graduated from Cape May and want to go HS" And then he asked what an HS does!!! -Jeff |
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WADR ... seems like a harsh assumption to make about the guy.
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Basic Training |
Thank you senior, I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I'll go ahead and read the syllabus on the intranet like you suggested. Thanks again!
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*What sort of work hours/rotation can I expect while in the 4 month long airman program, while at A-school, and as a fresh AET3?
You will work normal work hours, and you may get to experience nights or mids. Expect to be put in a duty section and be required to spend at least one night a week on base as well. * What sort of qualifications will I be working on while I'm in the airman program? You will be working on basic airman pracs involving fueling, learning to taxi, waxing, and washing of aircraft. * What jobs will I have as an airman and AET3? As an airman you will be a line crewman and be responsible for fueling the aircraft, washing it, waxing it... As an AET3 you will first become aircrew qualified and then work on other pracs for radio operator or maybe flight mech. You will also be assigned to mids or night check or maybe the tool room. After a short tour in one of those spots, you will be assigned to the avionics shop. * How often do we fly while in the airman program and as an AET3? In the Airman program you may fly twice for fam flights. As an AET3 it depends on where you go. Once you are BA qualified you will fly a lot if assigned to C130s. I dont know about the other airframes. * How is advancement as an AET? Right now advancement is sweet, but it is probably going to lock up again soon. Or so some are predicting. * Do we get to live on cutters? If so how long? What do we do while on them? Anything else you can add about being an AET on a cutter? The only way you will be on a cutter is if you are assigned to 65s. Those deployments are usually wanted by many personnel. Not all 65 unites deploy on cutters. * What can I do to prepare myself for the airman program? Study the airman handbook. Make sure you are squared away. * Do we live in a barracks, BAH, or government lease; while in the airman program, A-school, and as a fresh AET3? Depends on where you are stationed. Some bases could have on-base housing others do not. In A-School everyone lives in the donut. As an AET3 it depends on where you are stationed. * What is an average day like for an airman? An AET3? As an airman you do a lot of learning and helpful work while you watch the cool guys get ready for flights. As an AET3 in the avionics shop, you may be flying or working on broken wires. * What are common billets for an AET3? Common billets? There are billets spread out at all air stations. * What's the best part about being an AET? Getting flight pay. * What's the worst part about being an AET? Being randomly selected to deploy within two hours for a week somewhere far away from home. * If you were to start fresh as an airman what would you have done differently? What is some good advice you know of while in the airman program and A-school? Quit and gone SK, but that is only because I am getting out to work in Finance. During both, do as your told and keep yourself, your uniform, and barracks room squared away. Make sure you don't goof off too much, and study at school. Most people won't. * Can we request which air station we would like to begin the airman program at? (I'd like to be at Miami or Clearwater) Nope. * What are some of the differences between aviation and boats in the USCG? (Besides the obvious) Aviators get to sleep in a nice hotel room by themselves while deployed. Boat guys get stuck in the rack they are sharing with the guy on watch. * AET is critical right now, how long will it be before I get orders? Depends on how long you get all your required stuff such as your flight physical completed. * As an AET3 how soon are we able to go out on missions with the aircraft? (SAR, LE, etc) In the C130 world, as soon as you are BA qual'd. Other airframes not so much. Only so much room on a 65... * Can we pick which platform we want to specialize in while at a-school? Your class will be given a list of available units equal to the number of students in the class plus one. A class of 20 will get 21 picks. The order of who picks first etc... is based on grades and how many times you were written up, if any, while at "A" School. |
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Did I see a post refering about being qualified at your first unit?
No where does it say that you need to be fully qaulified to put your name on a A school list. Nor can a unit make up an instruction like that. I get many e-mails from non-rates out in the fleet about being interested in a critical rating but are told that they need to be fully qualed. That is not good, if the member reports to their first unit from basic and is interested in a rating that is critcal, and if they meet the minimum requirements, you can't tell them... "you need to be look out qualed first". That is why its called critical, you dont need to wait the 6 months as a E-2 or 4 months as a E-3 to put your name on the list. Granted, if you are a "****" clown, of course you will hopefully be denied but the reason why ratings are called critcal from time to time is that we need bodies ASAP. I was a non-rate who made E-3 in 6 months and immediatly put their name on the AE school list and waited 3 years for A school, 2 of them on a ship..... I think its B.S. that people can go to A school from basic, but I dont make the rules. Lets face it, turn the clock back 16 years and ask me, FA Schiaffino, would you like to clean migrant crap for a few years or would you like to go to "A" school and work on flying machines. Come on, I would like to clean poop!! Just kidding! Good luck and stay safe spanish person. Call me if you have any questions, I am on the global. Italian CPO |
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Basic Training |
Chief Schiaffino, n1dp, and Bluetorch thanks for the replies. Command here has been pretty good about helping me accomplish my goals. I enlisted into the USCG because of the AET rating. I had done my research by visiting an air station and talking to the AETs there to make sure I knew what I was getting into. I didn't find out AET was critical until I started reading some of the papers on the board the station has posted, one of them being the A-School list showing AET as critical. Well, I asked around the station about that and received a whole lot of different answers. So at the end of my check-in process I asked the OIC about putting my name on the A-School list and told me that as long I was sure that's the rate I want I should put my name on ASAP. He even asked me about my degree and if I wanted to attend OCS and fly for the CG. So all in all very supportive.
I do have some questions that I have not been able to get a straight answer for and it's in regards to the A-school list and the airman program. I just had my flight physical done and passed, I'm on the A-school list, and will have no holds on my name for next month's list. My question is this: When can I expect orders to begin the airman program? The reason I ask is because I'm not sure how the A-school list works in regards to aviation. Is it a countdown to when I can expect orders for the airman program (Meaning the top 20 every month are getting orders for the airman program) or a list as to when A-school will begin? (Meaning the people in middle part of the list are getting orders to an airman program while those on the top are being sent to A-school). Last question; Are those who are on the list with an NPY hold, or any other type, eligible to begin the airman program? (I understand they can't go to A-school with a hold but can one go to the airman program and then get their flight physical?) Anyway that's all I have I hope that first question makes sense. In case I'm leaving a bad impression on some, I'm in no hurry to leave the station I'm at. I'm working hard and having a blast (LE on shrimping and crab boats is a blast) but with an opportunity like this It'd be stupid not to take advantage of it since I know AET is the rate for me. Thanks again for all your help. Chief Schiaffino I remember seeing you at Cape May, you were a section commander and really knew how to shake up most of the recruits in every company! |
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Member |
When I was at AMT school, I had plenty of OICs calls looking to help the young folks with their career choices. Sounds like you got a good one too. Make sure to thank that person before you leave, and everyday until you leave by continuing to a good job there! Incomplete flight physicals help people jump up the list. Remember, the flight physical has to reach HQ and be approved by them, before they tell the Airman detailer you are good to go. That can take some time. each class is 20 people, so many classes per fiscal year. Doing the math, you can see how long you have to wait as a worst case. Those incomplete physicals, and good old youthful goof ups thin that list. It will jump ahead! Have you been to the "intranet" ATTC web site?? |
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Remember the Airman Program is A school. All you need is the AVAB score and command approval to get your name on the A school list but, before you will receive orders (((To the Airman program / A school))), you need a flight physical and a security clearance. Anticipate orders 4 months before class convening date to your air station. The 4 months spent at you air station can change due to classes being cancelled or if your performance is substandard. If class convening date does not change, the only thing that will hold you up is your attitude (if its poor)and with a poor attitude finding yourself back to your original unit. Don’t sweat it, as long as you are a genuine guy who cares about their work, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.
What company were you in? Good luck and stay safe! |
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N1dp, yes I've looked over the intranet site. I've reviewed the airman's handbook. Chief, I was in S-178
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Basic Training |
Hello all. When going to Airman program and A-school, can you bring your spouse with you? If you can, do you get BAH while in training? Is A-school considered (PCS)
Thanks. |
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Military.com Forums Coast Guard Discussions Avionics Electrical Technician (AET) Just Graduated from Cape May and want to go AET
