Son, we live in a world that needs Guns, Radars & Missiles, and that kind of equipment needs to be maintained by technicians in Gun Plots, Radar Rooms, Director & Computer Rooms as well as CIC. Who's going to do it, you?
I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You demand ordnance on target down range and a perfect picture on your little radar display. You curse the FC's despite our swift response to trouble calls through CSOOW & the CSC. You have the luxury of ignorance and not knowing what I know.
Being technically challenged, while tragic, is probably the result of a low IQ and a dismal ASVAB score; and my existence, while lacking the appropriate respect I deserve and beyond your comprehension, keeps Sailors like you safe from the bad guys and on a sound navigating ship!
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about, you WANT me in those air conditioned spaces… you NEED me in those air conditioned spaces!
We use terms like Fire for effect, Birds Away, O-scope, VSWR, and Schematics. We use these words as the backbone of a life drilling, doing PMS and troubleshooting!
I have neither the time, nor the inclination to explain myself to a person who surfs the net and e’mails home while underway while I provide the sanctity and comfort to do so then questions how I provide it! I would rather you just said thank you and went on your way; otherwise I suggest you pick up a Gauddamned Fluke, or an O’scope and some Schematics!
Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you are entitled too!!
Holy shit, that is some good stuff.
ReplyDeleteWell said! - I always believed the FTs were the smartest people on the ship!
ReplyDeleteNope, EWs. We break lock.
Delete1734 all the way!
DeleteThank you Dan. As a former FTM I can appreciate this. I have my stories posted on a blog http://storiesofthecoldwar.blogspot.com/ which you may want waste your valuable time on. I know I am going to be reading yours.
ReplyDeleteThe Navy supports the FCs so we can make the guns go boom and the missiles go whoosh!
ReplyDeleteThe Axeist speaketh!
Try being a nuke, just as technical but it's 130 degrees, jungle humid, 18 to 20 hour days are the norm and one mistake can mean horrendous nuclear disaster
ReplyDeleteThat's why I went FC instead of Nuke!
DeleteCombat systems as whole provide the reason Navy ships get underway. Without guns, missiles, and torpedoes (and the supporting equipment behind them) a Navy ship just becomes the world's crappiest cruise liner. I respect what other rates do (such as nukes) but we get underway to deter bad guys, and fight them if need be.
ReplyDeleteTo quote General Guderian (regarding tanks) as to equipment priority, "The engine is more important than the gun." If the ship can't move, the guns are irrelevant. This is from a former FTM.
ReplyDeleteIn the early 80's when ADM Rickover was still in charge of everything Nuke, 80-90% of FC's could have gone Nuke if not for having a drug history. Weed was an automatic DQ.
ReplyDeleteSo instead we got to see the sunshine, didn't stand underway watches, got obscene re-enlistment bonuses, worked in air-conditioned spaces AND WE GOT TO BLOW SHIT UP!!!
Exact! I'd say we were smarter than the nukes!
DeleteHence why I as a FC moved into instructing electronics in the civilian world for the Feds
ReplyDeleteAs a former GM the FCs made our job a little bit easier all we had to do was keep our equipment up and the the FCs would make us look good with accurate and reliable fire control.
ReplyDeleteBeing an FC in the U.S. Navy was some of the best times of my life. Well except for that damn time the CIWS mount took my finger off. USS Brewton FF 1086 1986-1990
ReplyDeleteI went back into the service as Reserve and was attached to the Brewton during that time. After 1990 I was attached to SIMA SAN DIEGO repair and rebuild CIWS.We repaired and replaced every part big and small.
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