Well I recently just heard back from the nuclear power recruiters and found out that I wasn't accepted to the program. I was hoping I'd get in but I'm not too bummed about it because I get to go AV. I've got a couple questions about it, if anyone has any answers to them I'd appreciate it. First from what I understand you'll either be an AT or AE and I guess you don't get to choose which one. From anyone who is in either rate, how do you like it and what is the difference between them? Where can I expect to get stationed for either and where is the A school at? Also I've been reading up a bit on Aircrew and what kind of opportunity will I have to try for Aircrew if thats even possible? Thank you for any info in advance everyone. I leave next month on April 14th and I'm really looking forward to it!
well last May i left for Bootcamp with the Av rate so i know what you're going through. You;re right about the rates and yes you dont get to choose and you wont find out until you get your orders like the last week of boot. AT school actually breaks in to either I level school or O level school. And i believe AE is just AE school. Outa the 7 guys that were AV in my Division 1 went AE and the rest of us went AT"I". AE from what i hear is more workin on actual systems on board the plane and troubleshooting like that from system to system. O level AT's kinda a long the same lines i guesss but more dedicated to certain systems. and then theres I level which is what i got. the ATOs take off the defective part from the plain bring the whole box to the I level shop then we take it apart and troubleshoot it down to the original card or component. the I level school is the longest and i think the AE school is the shortest As far as A schools go. All of them are taught in pensacola but i know ATO's and AES can also be taught in other places. not sure but i think I level AT's are solely taught in pensacola. everyone i knew who was aircrew had it in their contract. i know theres ways to go aircrew eventually i dont know if u can do it when you're in A school but it cant hurt to look into it and try i never heard of anyone doing it but it may be possible. as far as stations go if you go i level AT more than likely be shore based unless you want sea. O lvl and AE see more squadron and sea time. sorry i know i loaded a bunch on in here so if theres anything that needs clarification feel free to ask again. and i'll be more than happy to help. good luck man.
Thanks Dustin. I appreciate all the info. It's cool that you loaded it all on there, thats what I was looking for. As far as whether you get AE or AT, I or O level, is it based on "the needs of the Navy" or your performance in some way or test scores? As far as stationing it sounds like you're either in a shop or attached to a squadron and go out to sea based on when they are deployed? Thanks again for the info.
no pretty much the navy just chooses what you;re rate is gonna be out of the AV field. theres no factors they really consider as far as individuals go. just what the navy needs at that point in time.
like shaydone said all the people i knew who were aircrew had it in their contract and went before A school but there are ways to get it afterwords just not sure how soon or what the procedure is.
not that it matters seeing as you left today for bootcamp (congrats) but for everyone elses future reference you can go aircrew after "A" School if you speak up before you class up or early school. AT "I" strand cannot go air crew and I don't think AE can either. It is, however, usually contracted, and aircrew school is done before A school.
