New hire MSC RET 1st

In Service Military Sealift Command
1

Just received word I’ve been “selected to fill a position” with MSC - 1st RET.

Been a Radio Operator all my life, USCG, maritime coast station telegraph, aeronautical. Built all my own computers since the PC first came out - specializing in audio recording work stations. Done some programming BASIC, C, 6502/80x86/PIC assembler, PASCAL. Amateur Radio Operator/SWL since 1966.

Would appreciate any info anyone could pass on as to what I’m in for - anything I can study while I wait for my NEO date? What to bring/not bring, etc…

73/88
Frederick Wahl/KK6PR

2

Ok, well - any of the ships have a speed bag onboard?

Nothing cuts through bs like a bag lunch…

Cheers

3

It’s looks like you’re pretty well set. Don’t be surprised if when you look around the radio room you notice you’re the only one with opposable thumbs. You might be the only person in MSC with a T1.
Do you have your R/O license? Are you Microsoft certified? Working on the LAN is going to be a big part of your job.

4

Thanks for the reply.

I’ll keep an eye on my thumbs. Got the Radio Officer and GMDSS Operator/Maintainer endorsements on my MMC.

Haven’t been certified for A+ or Network+ yet, but should try to do that before the end of this year. I hear starting next year, those who pass will have to retake the test again to renew.

Guess MSC has been doing a lot of hiring lately, so they’re backlogged getting people into the NEO. I’ve completed everything else, so just waiting for the date.

5

Do they allow an ET with a LAN background to work on the LANs, or would I need to become an RET?

6

RETs work the LAN, not ETs. They don’t let ABs change a lightbulb, that’s not an AB’s job. Everyone has their job and no one is permitted to do someone else’s job. That’s just the way it is.

7

Seems funny they would hire someone with a BSIT, and a LAN background to do ET work, but it would work for my detailer I guess.

8

Efficient use of manpower is something MSC does poorly. Most likely is a cover-their-ass thing.

If an AB changed a lightbulb and got electrocuted then whoever signed off on it would catch hell and never get a promotion. Best way to avoid that is to not let anyone but electricians change lightbulbs. It’s job protection for the supervisor.

Its twisted but that’s the way it works.

9

You will find MSC very unorganized in regards to manning these days. N1 ( the navy term for personnel ) has a new head, but the rest of Msc needs organization, from the bottom to the director… Really a worse mess these days than in the past 30 years.

10

[QUOTE=kk6pr;41415]Just received word I’ve been “selected to fill a position” with MSC - 1st RET.

Been a Radio Operator all my life, USCG, maritime coast station telegraph, aeronautical. Built all my own computers since the PC first came out - specializing in audio recording work stations. Done some programming BASIC, C, 6502/80x86/PIC assembler, PASCAL. Amateur Radio Operator/SWL since 1966.

Would appreciate any info anyone could pass on as to what I’m in for - anything I can study while I wait for my NEO date? What to bring/not bring, etc…

73/88
Frederick Wahl/KK6PR[/QUOTE]

A Radio Operator is nothing like what an RETdoes. We handle military communications (data/voice) so you’re basically going to be learning from day 1. We only maintain the ships network, and are not authorized to change or modify anything so your programming experience will not be utilized. What to bring to NEO is covered on the MSC website.