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computer programs, electronics, and electronic casualty control; and operate associated built-in and external test equipment; load, initialize, and run preprogrammed diagnostic, performance and testing routines for digital computer equipment, digital subsystems, digital systems, and overall combat systems.
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rating. It was actually created much earlier than this, as US Navy Muster
Reports account for FCs well before then. It is commonly believed that the rate came into existence at some point in the 1920s. Fire controlmen were highly skilled technicians responsible for the operation of various forms of
205:
In 1957, as various electronics such as tracking radars and computers became more widespread, the fire controlman rating was merged into the fire control technician (FT) rating which had been created in 1948, with specific sub-specialties for gunnery (FTG), missiles (FTM), and submarines (FTU).
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FCs maintain the control systems used in aiming and firing weapons on all equipped ships. Complex computers, electronics, and electrical and hydraulic equipment are required to ensure the accuracy of guided missile, surface, and anti-aircraft fire control systems. FCs are responsible for the
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at the organizational and intermediate level; inspect, test, align, and repair micro/minicomputers and associated peripheral equipment, data conversion units, data display equipment, data link terminal equipment, print devices, and system related equipment; make analysis for detailed systems,
150:
missile systems. These include their associated computer and sensor packages. Their job is somewhat unusual in that they are trained to troubleshoot and repair their systems, as well as operate them. These responsibilities are typically split up between different ratings for various types of
251:
I am required to know, operate, and maintain intricate scientific precision instruments. To do this, I must have a thorough knowledge of the work of an
Electronics Technician, Machinist's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Machinery Repairman, Operations Specialist, and Engineman.
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calculations to control the firing of the ship's guns. These skills were employed initially for naval gunfire support and surface combat, but during World War II, their responsibilities expanded into anti-aircraft warfare as well.
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In 1985, the Navy re-established the fire controlman rating to separate those sailors in the surface FTG and FTM sub-specialties from those assigned to submarines, with the latter retaining the fire control technician rating.
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Fire controlmen provide system employment recommendations; perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on digital computer equipment, subsystems, and systems; operate and maintain combat and weapons direction systems,
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In essence, they operate the weapons sensors and tracking devices, from first detection through firing the weapons, to defend the ship against tactical threats or to make offensive strikes against hostile targets.
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In 2017, the Navy established a new sub-specialty, Fire
Controlman Aegis (FCA) for sailors who operated and maintained aegis equipment, with an advancement exam separate from the general Fire Controlman rating.
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In addition to being competent to perform any operation, I will strive to know my maintenance duties so well that I may maintain the battle efficiency of my ship, even on a darkened ship, under enemy fire.
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I must be capable of and competent to fill my station, or perform any operation in the weapons department of my ship; to assume command of, spot, or control the fire of any battery.
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operation, routine care, and repair of this equipment, which includes radars, computers, weapons-direction equipment, target-designation systems, gyroscopes, and rangefinders.
91:. Often confused with being fireman on board a ship, FCs actually operate advanced weapons systems, whereas Damage Controlman (DC) are actually the shipboard firefighters.
235:, with two lightning bolts (called "sparks") signifying the technical skills required. The lightning bolts were introduced when the rate was re-established in 1985.
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FCs typically operate weapon systems on-board surface combatant ships. They are trained in the repair, maintenance, operation and employment of weapons such as the
115:; this course is roughly 8 months long followed then by a "C"-school, based on one of the systems described below, which vary in length from 4 months to 8 months.
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I am a Fire
Controlman, a Petty Officer of the United States Navy. My work is the operation and maintenance of the weapons aboard the fighting ships of the Navy.
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Fire
Controlman 2nd Class Anthony Ferretti performs maintenance on a close-in weapon system for a live-fire exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer
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According to the official history documented by the U.S. Navy, the fire controlman rating was established in 1941, when it was split off from the
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Later, the FTU designation was split into two specific sub-specialties for torpedoes (FTG) and ballistic missiles (FTB).
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166:, as well the MK99 fire control system, used for terminal guidance of Standard missiles, and the Aegis computer suite.
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As long as there is any operation or piece of equipment I do not fully understand, my job is not complete.
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My aim in life is to know my job; to know everything that pertains to practical gunnery and ordnance.
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This to the end ... that the ship may fight as long as she is afloat!
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Fire controlmen attend apprentice technical training and "A"-School at
301:"Compilation of Enlisted Ratings and Apprentiships US Navy 1775-1969"
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In the event of war, I must be prepared for any emergency.
359:"Navy enlisted manpower and personnel classifications"
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48:
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213:In 1998, the Navy merged certain sailors from the
158:Another area of responsibility for FCs is the
217:(DS) rating into the fire controlman rating.
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142:gun fire control system (on frigates) the
18:
224:The fire controlman rating insignia is a
334:Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
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16:United States Navy occupational rating
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330:"Navy Establishes Four New Ratings"
305:Naval History and Heritage Command
282:List of United States Navy ratings
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130:weapon system and its associated
27:
1:
138:gun fire control system, the
197:, as well as the solving of
243:The fire controlman's creed
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397:United States Navy ratings
363:Bureau of Naval Personnel
128:5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun
113:Naval Station Great Lakes
103:missile systems, and gun
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146:missile system, and the
215:data systems technician
124:close-in weapons system
120:Tomahawk missile system
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151:electronic equipment.
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105:fire control systems
160:Aegis weapon system
195:range finding gear
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101:surface-to-surface
85:United States Navy
43:United States Navy
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369:. Archived from
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79:(abbreviated as
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311:. December 1969
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77:Fire controlman
53:Enlisted rating
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33:Rating insignia
22:Fire controlman
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5:
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97:surface-to-air
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373:on 2008-04-10
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190:gunner's mate
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182:Arleigh Burke
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375:. Retrieved
371:the original
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342:. Retrieved
340:. 2017-02-01
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313:. Retrieved
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59:Abbreviation
233:rangefinder
226:coincidence
144:Sea Sparrow
377:2007-01-11
344:2018-04-06
315:2018-04-06
288:References
199:ballistics
180:USS
67:Specialty
39:Issued by
391:Category
276:See also
83:) is a
367:US Navy
338:US Navy
309:US Navy
170:History
148:Harpoon
70:Weapons
126:, the
122:, the
89:rating
164:SPY-1
136:MK160
140:MK92
132:MK86
99:and
49:Type
228:or
134:or
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81:FC
62:FC
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
