27 GRADUATE FROM SUB ELECTRONICS APPRENTICE COURSE

Groton — Twenty-seven sailors of Class 17080 graduated from the Submarine Electronics Computer Field, SECF, Apprentice course on July 27.

The SECF “A” school combines a core curriculum of electronics, fire control, and sonar technician skills and abilities while emphasizing team training and cross rating familiarization.

Seaman Kyle Myers, Seaman Richard Gronkhite, and Seaman Tristan Shally were Class Honor Graduates.

Gronkhite was meritoriously advanced and Shally received an accelerated advancement.

Seaman Apprentice Francis Underwood received the William Purdum Award.

Seaman Michael Garba, Seaman Austin Brock, and Seaman Apprentice Juan Franco were recognized for Personal Excellence.

The Submarine Electronics Computer Field Apprenticeship (SECF) training school is an 18-week course of instruction combining three ratings, sonar technician, fire control technician, and electronic technician in the same classroom along with instructors from all three ratings.

SECF encompasses topics such as basic computer and electronic training and fire control systems, trigonometry and pre-calculus, AC/DC circuits, basic power supplies, digital systems, radar and microwave theory and operation, basic sound propagation, passive/ active theory, Gram Analysis, oceanography, naval security, acoustic systems fundamentals, sonar underwater acoustics, acoustics analysis, submarine target motion analysis, computer technology and maintenance fundamentals, sonar watch standing and shipboard noise control.

Sailors learn theoretical and practical knowledge of their respective ratings in an interactive multimedia forum with emphasis on hands-on skills and team concepts. Approximately 50 percent of the course is taught in the Combined Operational Acoustic Employment Trainer (COAET).

The sailors’ learned and practiced skills are taught in four knowledge segments: Basic Maintenance, Underway Steaming, Section Tracking Party and Surface Transit. Each graduating student is better prepared to meet the challenges of the fleet.d has the knowledge and skill to be a productive member immediately upon joining the crew.