Join the Coast Guard > Electronics Technician (ET)

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. Related Civilian Jobs Electronics Technician Guidance Systems Specialist Radio and Radar Repair Computer Technician Telephone Repair