Interested in becoming an electrician.

[ET2010]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this but I wanted to poll some knowledgeable people.

Okay, I'm in the navy and I'm an electronics technician. My duties are maintaining and repairing radars and all of the other things that go along with them. I'll be getting out of the navy in a few years and I was wondering what would be the best way to go about becoming an electrician. I've been doing some research on the internet but havn't been able to find the good dirt on apprenticeships, trade schools and the like. Naturally I would like to apprentice for as little time as necessary but I also want to know the job at the same time. I'm definitely not an electrician but I'm no novice either. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[growler]

I'll be getting out of the navy in a few years and I was wondering what would be the best way to go about becoming an electrician. Naturally I would like to apprentice for as little time as necessary .

To become a construction type electrician you could check into " Helmets to Hard Hats ", a program run by the IBEW. This will allow you to document your Navy work experience.

If you have years left in the Navy you could start to work on an engineering degree. People will not like me saying this but there are better jobs than working construction in the electrical field. Any degree that you get will help to advance your career.:smile:

 

[Rockyd]

Agree with Growler -

there are better jobs than working construction in the electrical field.

We need qualified people in all spectrums of the industry. As an ET, you would be smart to keep high security clearances. I spent 4 years as an EM on board a Sub-tender. Clearances, because of military service, have opened up some great opportunities not readily available to the public.

I'd shoot higher(always a need for good engineers, especially the kind who have some field experience), but that's just me after 20+ years in the industry.

 

[yanici]

I had a similar background to you. I was an FT (for you non-Navy folks, an FT works on the electrical and electronics for weapons systems) and after I got out worked in the electronics field. Boring!

Became an electrician. Not boring. I highly recommend, as Growler says, to get the training. With your background you'll pick up easily in the controls field.

 

[charlie b]

I would suggest taking the Electrician?s Mate correspondence courses that the Navy offers. Two examples are EM3&2, EM1&C. I took both of them, as well as the Construction Electrician and Aviation Electrician courses, while I was still participating in the Navy Reserves. That is how I completed the last of my 20 years of qualified service. I am now a ?Commander, USNR, retired.?

p.s. During my nine years of active duty, I had both EMs and ETs working for me, and I coordinated with the FTs and other OPS/WEPS personnel in the development of procedures for transfering and restoring power.

 

[zog]

I am an ex navy nuke(EM1/SS), there are alot of navy guys in the electrical testing field and there is a huge demand for testing techs. Several managers of testing companies are ex navy and your experience will give you an advantage over others. A list of testing companies can be found at www.netaworld.org

Good luck, and start your short timer chain today!

 

[Brady Electric]

Intersted in becoming an electricain

Intersted in becoming an electricain

I got out of the Marines in 1972 and started as an electrician apprentice for three years and took my test and got my license. I have been in business for myself since. There is no school that gives you the experience you will get as an apprentice. Also it is a world of difference in being a electrical contractor an being a electronics technician. I have never been out of work and I enjoy this field. Also allot can change in a few years. Good luck and Semper Fi. Buddy

 

[haskindm]

Have you thought about being a civilian radar tech? My son is doing that while going to college at night. He is making much more than he would as a beginning electrician and the working conditions are much better. It may be more advantageous to build on your military skills than to start over as an electrician. There are many government contractors looking for ex-military people to fill their positions.

 

[zog]

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