Fire Control Technician

Not to be confused with Fire Control man (FC), Navy Fire Control Technicians (FT) are assigned administrative and operational duties related to submarines.

The work performed includes inspecting and repairing the computer, electrical, and mechanical equipment of the submarines.

Fire Control Technicians also study other critical systems of the submarine such as the radar, sonar, periscope, and radio communications.

Navy Fire Control Technicians (FT) get the rare opportunity of training and working on submarines.

Becoming a Navy Fire Control Technician (FT) is a little different compared to other Navy ratings, or military jobs.

Sailors cannot enlist directly into Navy rating FT immediately after enlistment.

Instead, service members must begin under the job field Submarine Electronics/Computer.

Once the sailor completes basic submarine school and the pipeline course, he or she receives one of the Navy submarine ratings, including FT.

However, just keep in mind that no one is guaranteed a spot as a Fire Control Technician.

The Navy determines rating placement based on a need under the Submarine Electronics/Computer job field.

There are two basic educational requirements for joining the U.S. Navy:

Sailors may qualify for Navy rating FT through a combined score of Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Electronics Information (EI), General Science (GS), and Mathematical Knowledge (MK) on the ASVAB.

The other applicable ASVAB test score combination is Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematical Knowledge (MK), Mechanical Comprehension (MC), and Verbal Expression (VE).

Aspiring Navy Fire Control Technicians (FT) undergo a detailed background check for the qualification because they deal with sensitive information.

Therefore, you need to have a clean criminal record (including civil court convictions).

Normal hearing and color perception (no colorblindness) is also mandatory.

Secondly, the Department of Defense will perform a thorough background check examining your personal character and conduct.

Fire Control Technicians must receive top-secret security clearance from the DOD.

The Department of Defense will assess “moral turpitude” such as any history with alcohol or drug abuse.

All new recruits of the U.S. Navy begin their military career at Recruit Training Command or boot camp.

Navy boot camp lasts eight weeks and introduces new recruits to the lifestyle and rules of the military branch.

Once you complete boot camp you’ll begin to focus training on your Navy rating.

As previously mentioned, sailors are not automatically assigned Navy rating FT.

The spot needs to be earned and rating placement in the Submarine job field is subject to availability and need.

Regardless, you will spend four weeks at the basic submarine school in Connecticut.

Then, you’ll spend an additional four months of training at the submarine learning center.

The learning center offers different technical and tactical training programs.

It is also possible to get selected by the Navy for more specialized “C” School Training before graduating from the program.

Navy Fire Control Technicians (FT) are important to submarine operations.

In general, Fire Control Technicians are responsible for the computer and control mechanisms on the submarine, including its weapons systems.

Navy rating FT make what the military branch defines as “intermediate level” maintenance:

• Perform organizational maintenance on submarine combat control systems and equipment.
• Operate submarine combat control systems.
• Test submarine combat control systems.
• Participate in weapons handling functions.
• Operate nontactical computer systems as well as peripherals.

There is no guarantee by the Navy for placement in Navy rating FT.

All new recruits enlist in Submarine Electronics and Computer Field (SECF).

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