Welcome To Electronics Technician (ET) School

A School Day One

Reporting to School

Students should report in at Horsley Hall no later than the day before their class is due to start.

What to Expect

Muster at 0730 at the Horsley Hall Quarterdeck. Have information sheet filled out to the best of your ability. After meeting with your class advisor you will go up to the chapel as a class for an in-brief from various personnel at TRACEN Petaluma regarding the rules of the base and rules for the students.

Uniform

Your Indoc packet will have the uniform requirements for your entire stay at ET 'A' School.

  • What to Bring

  • Full sea bag

  • Medical record

  • Orders

A School Course Description

ET 'A' School Course Overview

These courses provide technical training on specific electronic systems and equipment used throughout the Coast Guard. These courses encompass the use of test equipment, technical publications and troubleshooting methods used for corrective maintenance to the lowest repairable level. Upon graduation students have the knowledge and skill necessary for maintenance and repair of electronic equipment. ET "A" School is 20 weeks in duration.

Course Prerequisites

  • Eligibility

  • Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Minimums: MK + EI + GS = 172 w/ AR = 52; OR an AFQT = 65.

  • Clearance requirements: Must be eligible for a final SECRET clearance.

  • Students must possess normal color perception.

EPME & Time In Service

Students must complete all E-4 EPME and Time in Service requirements (tests and practical factors) prior to graduation to advance to ET3. 

ET 'A' School Curriculum Outline

 

Section

Duration

Title

Unit 1: Safety

5 Days

The first unit of ET A School gives students the basic skills to perform as a safety observer and how to respond appropriately to basic safety emergencies. Lessons include CPR, First Aid & AED certifications, Rescuing a Shock Victim, Inspect and Maintain Safety Board and Equipment, Climbing Basics to Perform Maintenance at Heights, and Combatting Electrical Fires.

Unit 2: Basic Electronics

18 Days

The second unit of ET A School teaches fundamental theories behind electricity. Students learn about the laws that govern the movement or flow of electrons through a circuit. Students are given the opportunity to understand the foundations of Direct Current (DC), Alternating Current (AC), and the various components that make up basic electronic circuits. Each lesson is equipped with a corresponding lab, practice troubleshoots, and assessment that reinforces unit objectives. Students acquire a troubleshooting foundation using multi-meters, function generators, and oscilloscopes to test and isolate faulted components.

Unit 3: Advanced Electronics

12 Days

The third unit of ET A School expands on Unit 2 and introduces students to semiconductors, transistors, amplifiers, and logic circuits. Students see signal flows, how components change signals, and how circuitry works together. They are introduced to Integrated Circuitry (IC) Chips and learn how semi conductive material is used in layers creating various components within an IC chip. Each lesson is equipped with a corresponding lab, practice troubleshoots, and assessment that reinforces unit objectives. Troubleshooting skills are further honed and refined using multi-meters, function generators, oscilloscopes, and logic probes.

Unit 4: Antennas

8 Days

The fourth unit of ET A School familiarizes students with electromagnetic wave propagation, explains the radio wave frequency spectrum, and where in that spectrum Coast Guard radio systems fit. Students learn how to isolate antenna system faults using watt meters and megohmmeters.

Unit 5: Short-Range Communications

12 Days

The fifth unit of ET A School expands on Unit 4 and familiarizes students with a short-range radio system used in the Coast Guard. This class uses a common Very High Frequency (VHF) radio to teach students how to load and manipulate code plugs, and how to operate and troubleshoot a radio system. Students are trained to use a communications service analyzer and then use this knowledge to troubleshoot faults on the radio system.

Unit 6: Long Range Communications

15 Days

The sixth unit of ET A School expands on Unit 4 and Unit 5 familiarizing students with a long-range radio system used in the Coast Guard. This class uses a common High Frequency (HF) radio to teach students about the various circuit cards, assemblies, and how they work in concert to produce a functioning HF radio. Students use oscilloscopes, watt meters, communications service monitors, frequency counters, and multi-meters to troubleshoot faults on the radio system.

Unit 7: Multi-System Troubleshooting

15 Days

The seventh unit in ET A School provides students with a simulated Electronic Navigation System, similar to those used in the Coast Guard. Future ETs will learn basic nautical navigation concepts, as well as how to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair a RADAR, electronic chart display, Global Positioning System (GPS), depth sounder, and a vessel monitoring system known as Automatic Identification System (AIS). Students  also learn how to trace faults through multiple pieces of equipment, allowing them to see how one broken piece of equipment can manifest issues throughout an entire system. 

Unit 8: Cables and Connectors

10 Days

The last unit of ET A School, students learn soldering fundamentals then use those skills to assemble over a dozen different connectors on multiple types of coaxial cables that are most commonly used throughout the Coast Guard. Cables and Connectors is almost entirely hands on and instills patience and commitment while installing military grade, fleet ready connectors.

A School Information

Overview

This course provides technical instruction on basic electronics, digital circuit theory and communication fundamentals, using advanced computer trainers and the communications equipment used throughout the Coast Guard fleet. This course encompasses the use of test equipment, technical publications and troubleshooting methods used for corrective maintenance to the lowest repairable level. Upon graduation our students will have the knowledge and skills necessary for advanced electronics classes, on-the-job training programs, and the performance of basic technical tasks.

Class size

Up to 20 students

Class Duration

20 weeks

Housing

Students should refer to the barracks information page under Student Barracks Information. Students will not be able to report with dependents under Coast Guard authorizations. Unaccompanied students should refer to the barracks information page under Student Barracks Information. 

Duty

Q: What duty do students stand?
A: Normal student duty rotation is 1 in 4 days.

Uniforms

Q: What uniforms should students bring, and what do they wear to class?
A: Students must report with a full sea bag. ODUs are worn throughout most of "A" School. The Uniform of the Day will change for special occasions.

C School Day One

Reporting to TRACEN Petaluma

Students should report in at Horsley hall no later than the day before their class is due to start. The preferred check-in time in Horsley Hall is before 10 p.m. local time.

What to Expect

ET 'C' School Students need to be at their course classrooms at 0730 on the convening date. Class times are from 0730 to 1600, with a lunch break.

Class Locations

  • COMMS

  • COM-03A - Bauer Building 3rd floor-Rm 314
    COM-05A - Bauer Building 3rd floor-Rm 314
    COM-06 - Bauer Building 1st floor-Rm-117

  • DGPS

  • DGPS - Bauer Building 1st floor-Rm 120

  • NAV

  • NAV-08 - Bauer Building 3rd floor-Rm 316
    NAV-12 - Bauer Building 3rd floor-Rm 313

  • IFF

  • IFF-01 - Bauer Building 1st floor-Rm 130
    IFF-02A - Bauer Building 1st floor-Rm 130

Uniform

The authorized uniform of the day for all classes is the Operation Dress Uniform (ODU). Uniforms must be clean with no paint.

What to Bring

Students should have adequate uniforms and sundry items such as alarm clocks, laundry bags, etc. to be comfortable and ready to learn while they are here.

C School Course Descriptions

Overview

ET "C" Schools are divided into four major areas: Comms, Nav, DGPS, and IFF. These courses will provide technical instruction on equipment used throughout the Coast Guard and shall encompass:

  • The use of test equipment

  • Technical publications 

  • Troubleshooting methods

Upon graduation our students shall have the knowledge and skill pre-requisites necessary for performing all necessary technical tasks.

Contact

School Mailing Address

Commanding Officer
USCG Tracen Petaluma
ATTN: ET  School
599 Tomales Road
Petaluma, CA 94952-5000

School Chief: 707-765-7991
Assistant School Chief: 707-765-7006