ETs are
responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair and
management of sophisticated electronic equipment, including
command and control systems, shipboard weapons, guidance and
fire-control systems, communications receivers and
transmitters, data and voice-encryption equipment, navigation
and search radar, tactical and electronic-detection systems,
electronic-navigation equipment, and computers.
Types of Duty
ETs are stationed throughout the Coast Guard, including
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam. ETs work out of large
and small shops, communications stations, LORAN stations and
all major cutters. The large shops are called electronics
systems detachments and smaller shops are known as electronic
systems support detachment duty. From these units, ETs are
dispatched to Coast Guard search-and-rescue stations and
smaller cutters to maintain, repair or install communications
and navigation systems.
Training Available
Being an electronics technician requires a vast knowledge of
electrical theory along with practical hands-on skills needed
to repair and maintain C3 systems. Basic Electronics
Technician School is one of the longest in the Coast Guard, at
26 weeks. Located in Petaluma, Calif., (just one hour north of
San Francisco), students will learn how to repair and maintain
HF SSB transceiver systems, antenna systems, VHF mobile
transceivers, direction finders, GPS receivers, small boat
radar, depth finders, and integrated control systems. Coast
Guard 'C' schools are available to ET school graduates and
mid-career ETs who are responsible for maintaining close-in
weapons systems, fire control systems, air search radar and
large cutter radar, to name just a few. At mid-career,
high-performing ETs may compete for selection to the Advanced
Avionics Integrated Weapons Systems Maintenance course, a
29-week 'B' school worth 32 semester hours. At the pinnacle of
ET education opportunities is the Advanced Computer,
Engineering, and Technology education program, which provides
two years, full-time, paid-for college for the member to
obtain an associate or bachelor's degree in engineering or
technology.
Qualifications
To be an ET, you should have an interest in electronics and
computer systems and an aptitude for detailed work, and you
should be above average at solving mathematical problems. You
must have normal color vision. Practical experience or prior
training in electronic systems maintenance and repair is
helpful, but not required.
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