Navy Fire Control Technician (FT): Definitive Guide

A US Navy Fire Control Technician (FT) is an enlisted submariner in the combat systems team. This rating focuses on weapons control and the equipment that helps a submarine employ torpedoes and missiles.

Most new FTs serve on operational submarines early in their careers. The job mixes watchstanding with planned maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting. You will work with strict procedures and tight coordination across the boat.

This profile covers active duty Fire Control Technician (FT), shown as FT (SS) in Navy rating requirement tables.

ENLISTMENT BONUS: Future Navy FTs are currently eligible to receive up to $30K in cash bonus just for signing up.

Job Role and Responsibilities

Job classifications and identifiers

These identifiers come from Navy rating requirement and NEC listings, and availability depends on the billet and platform.

Overview

An FT helps keep the submarine’s fire control and weapons employment capability ready. You support accurate targeting, proper weapon setup, and safe launch procedures. That work protects the ship and supports the mission, even when conditions change fast.

The rating is not only “button pushing” during an engagement. A large share of the job is careful setup, validation, and maintenance of combat system equipment. You spend time on planned maintenance, technical checks, configuration control, and documentation.

You also build credibility through qualifications. Many FTs qualify submarine warfare and progress into watchstations tied to weapons employment and overall ship control.

Key Responsibilities

Common FT responsibilities on active duty submarines include:

• Operate fire control and weapons-related systems during assigned watches.
• Perform preventive maintenance and corrective troubleshooting on assigned equipment.
• Conduct functional tests and record results for maintenance and readiness tracking.
• Support drills, inspections, and evaluations tied to combat readiness.
• Maintain procedural compliance for safety and weapons system integrity.

Collaboration and key relationships

An FT rarely works alone during real operations. The job requires steady coordination with sonar, navigation, and the rest of combat systems. You also work closely with the Weapons Department chain of command, plus quality assurance and training leadership when you gain seniority.

You will brief status, pass contact and solution information during watches, and coordinate maintenance windows. Communication needs to be clear because the crew is small and the pace can shift quickly. A strong FT learns how to translate technical system limits into operational decisions.

At higher levels, the collaboration expands. Senior FTs often fill department leadership roles and support broader ship programs tied to training, maintenance management, and inspections.

Work schedule and routine

Daily life changes with the phase of the submarine’s schedule. Underway periods usually mean a repeating pattern of watch, maintenance, training, and sleep. In port periods shift toward maintenance packages, troubleshooting, and preparation for the next underway period.

Watchstanding is a central part of the job. Early career milestones for the rating list watch and warfare qualifications like FTOW and other submarine watchstations. That pattern continues as you advance into more demanding qualifications.

Submarine work also pushes you to stay ready for drills. Drills can happen with little notice, and they can interrupt routine tasks. Your ability to keep equipment reliable reduces disruption later.

Mission contribution

The Navy describes FTs as a vital element in accurate employment of guided missiles and underwater weapon systems. That statement is reflected in how the rating is built around readiness, qualification, and watch performance.

If a system is misconfigured, the ship may lose options in a high-risk moment. If maintenance is sloppy, the crew may waste time troubleshooting at sea. FTs protect the ship by making weapons employment capability dependable.

The mission contribution also shows up in evaluation standards for senior advancement. The career path guidance ties “best qualified” performance to specific watch and leadership qualifications.

Technology and equipment

FT work centers on submarine combat system equipment that supports targeting, weapons setup, and launch readiness. You will use electronic test equipment, technical documentation, and controlled maintenance procedures.

Some FTs may hold NECs tied to specific platforms or systems. Examples include T04A for SSGN Tactical Tomahawk system maintenance and 737B for vertical launch system tube maintenance. These NECs are not automatic, and they follow Navy needs.

As you advance, the technology responsibility grows. Senior FTs often become the go-to troubleshooters and trainers for critical equipment. That role raises expectations for precision and documentation.

Work Environment

On-the-job conditions

Most FTs work inside a submarine for their operational tours. The environment is controlled, crowded, and highly procedural. You will work close to sensitive equipment and rely on checklists and operating limits.

Noise, tight passageways, and limited privacy are normal. Many tasks happen in small workspaces with tools, panels, and cable runs nearby. Good habits matter because a cluttered workspace creates risk for equipment and people.

The tempo can also change quickly. One day may be routine maintenance and training, and the next may include intensive drills or troubleshooting at odd hours. A steady pace and clear thinking help you avoid mistakes.

Locations and mobility

Active duty FTs rotate through sea and shore assignments, and the career path shows several duty types. Sea duty commonly includes submarines and submarine tenders. Shore duty can include a schoolhouse instructor, recruiting, RTC support, TYCOM staff, or other fleet support roles.

The same document shows a structured sea and shore flow, listed in months for each tour. It starts with a longer first sea tour and then alternates between shore and sea tours as you gain experience.

Moves are driven by Navy billet needs and your qualification level. Strong performance and completed qualifications widen the set of roles you can fill. That can also affect where you compete for the next assignment.

Deployment and fieldwork

For submarines, “deployment” can include scheduled overseas operations, regional tasking, and extended underway periods. You should expect long periods away from home port during some sea tours.

Fieldwork in this rating is not like an Army field environment. It is more like operating in a self-contained industrial system with strict safety and readiness standards. The “field” is the boat, and the consequences of poor work can be immediate.

Some NEC-related work is also platform-specific. If you support a system like SSGN Tactical Tomahawk maintenance, your work may align to that platform’s operational cycle and inspections.

Training and Skill Development

Initial training pipeline

Every active duty FT starts with Navy recruit training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes. The Navy reduced recruit training to nine weeks starting in January 2025, and that timing applies to the current program.

After recruit training, Navy recruiting guidance for FTs lists a pipeline that includes:

• Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS), about 8 weeks, at Groton, Connecticut.
• “A” School and specialty training, about 18 weeks, at Groton, Connecticut.

The FT career path also reinforces that “A” School is required. It describes accession training as roughly nine months for recruit training and all required schools before reporting to a first operational command.

Ongoing Training After the Schoolhouse

Finishing school marks the start of your career, not the end. Your first job on a ship will push you to pass watch qualifications, understand maintenance rules, and prepare for inspections. Early goals like Submarine Warfare and FTOW are part of your first sea assignment.

Training never stops. You will do drills, attend command schools, and join qualification programs at your command. When you move up in rank, your role changes. You will help teach new sailors, run hands-on training, and get your team ready for tests.

Some advanced skills depend on the ship’s needs and special training chances. For instance, NECs like T04A and 737B are official courses linked to specific weapon maintenance jobs.

Certifications and Credentials

The Navy job builds a strong technical record through:

• Training sessions
• Skill qualifications
• Recorded maintenance work

This record can help you earn civilian certificates later. Sometimes a certificate is not needed for promotion, but having proof of your skills is still useful. Save copies of:

• Transcripts
• Course completion papers
• Letters showing your qualifications

It helps to pick a certificate goal that matches your best skills. Many FTs pick paths in fixing electronics, keeping systems running, or supervising technical work. Your leaders can help match your plan to what your team needs.

Getting certificates while serving means planning early. Shore duty often gives a steadier schedule for studying. It also fits better with test dates.

Training Challenges

The first sea tour moves fast. You need to:

• Pass many qualifications quickly
• Do watch duties while learning maintenance
• Follow ship routines and submarine rules

This creates a busy timetable. Another challenge is following strict rules. “Close enough” is never good when dealing with weapons. You must keep strong focus, even when tired. This careful work is a skill you develop over time.

When equipment breaks, you face tough problems. Troubleshooting demands patience, clear thinking, and checking carefully. Guessing fast won’t work.

Training Success Tips

To do well in training:

• Build strong basics and keep steady progress every day.
• Learn how each job fits into the bigger system.
• Ask for feedback early, not only before tests.

Use your best time, often soon after your watch, for hard studying. This helps keep your mind sharp. Take notes you can study in short bursts.

Always protect your good name by:

• Following rules exactly
• Logging your work correctly
• Speaking up if you feel unsure

Leaders trust those who do these things. That trust opens more chances for training.

Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations

Physical demands

FT work is not constant heavy lifting, but it is physically real. You will move through narrow spaces, lift and carry tools, and work in awkward positions at times. Many tasks involve reaching into cabinets, working overhead, or tracing cables through tight routes.

Watchstanding adds another layer. Long watches require alertness, steady posture, and the ability to stay focused in low light or quiet spaces. Fatigue management becomes a skill, not a bonus.

Submarine life also places limits on personal recovery. Sleep can be broken up by drills or changing schedules, so fitness and nutrition habits matter.

Physical fitness standards

The Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) is passed when a sailor earns probationary or higher on push-ups, forearm plank, and an approved cardio event.

Below are the minimum passing probationary standards for the youngest bracket (age 17 to 19) at altitudes under 5,000 feet:

These values come from the Navy PRT standards table for age 17 to 19.

Medical evaluations for submarine duty

The FT rating is tied to submarine service, and the Navy rating requirements table lists a requirement to volunteer for submarines and meet applicable physical standards.

In practice, that means you should expect a medical screening for submarine duty. Medical teams check for conditions that could become dangerous in a submerged environment, where evacuation is limited. Standards can vary by case, so medical authority makes the final call.

If you have a condition that could affect pressure tolerance, endurance, or safe watchstanding, you should disclose it early. Early disclosure supports safe decisions and prevents later career disruption.

Common disqualifiers and waivers

Some conditions may limit submarine eligibility, even if they are manageable on shore. Vision, hearing, and other factors can matter more in this community because of watch and safety demands. The rating requirements table also includes columns for vision, hearing, and security eligibility checks, and those checks are part of the pipeline.

Waivers are possible in some cases, but waivers are not guaranteed. The safest approach is to treat the standard as the standard and plan accordingly. If you need a waiver, your recruiter and medical staff will guide the process.

Deployment and Duty Stations

Where FTs typically serve

The FT career path shows the operational core of the rating as submarine duty. It also lists submarine tender duty as a sea assignment option for more senior tours.

Shore duty is varied and often mission-support focused. The same guidance lists shore billets like:

• Schoolhouse or training roles
• Recruiting
• RTC roles
• TYCOM, group, squadron, or Navy Personnel Command support
• Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) support

Those assignments may not feel like “fire control” every day, but they build leadership, training ability, and fleet-wide perspective.

Sea and shore flow

The career path includes a structured sea and shore flow, shown in months by tour. A common pattern shown is:

• First sea tour: 54 months
• First shore tour: 36 months
• Second sea tour: 42 months
• Second shore tour: 36 months

Later tours continue alternating, with additional sea tours listed as 36 to 42 months in the flow. This is a planning model, and actual timing depends on Navy needs and individual circumstances.

What deployments feel like for this rating

Underway periods create a rhythm. You stand watch, maintain gear, train, and reset, then repeat. Your stress level often follows the operational schedule, with spikes during high-tempo periods and inspections.

FTs also carry pressure because their systems tie to high-consequence outcomes. A mistake can reduce combat options or create safety risk. That is why senior leaders emphasize procedural compliance and qualification quality.

Communication with family can be limited or delayed on submarines. That factor matters when you plan relationships, finances, and long-term goals. You should build a support plan before the first long underway.

Travel and restrictions

Submarine duty often includes movement between home port, local operating areas, and deployment regions. Travel is not always predictable, and changes can happen quickly based on mission demands.

Some NEC-related work can also influence assignment opportunities. A platform-specific NEC may make you more competitive for certain billets, but it can also narrow the set of commands that need that NEC.

Career Progression and Advancement

Enlisted rank path in this job

FT is an enlisted rating that progresses through the standard Navy paygrades. The career path document shows a typical progression from junior sailor through senior chief and master chief roles.

Common rank titles you will see in this community include:

• FTSN / FTSA (early career sailors)
• FT3, FT2, FT1 (petty officers)
• FTC, FTCS, FTCM (chief, senior chief, master chief)

Advancement depends on performance, qualifications, and Navy-wide advancement processes. The rating’s culture strongly rewards completed watchstations and proven leadership.

Qualification-driven growth

The career path lays out specific qualifications tied to stages of responsibility. Early milestones include Submarine Warfare and FTOW, plus other watch and duty qualifications as you grow.

Mid-career sailors may qualify deeper leadership watches. The document lists examples like COW, DCPO, DOOW, and pilot qualifications depending on platform. That shift marks the move from “operator-technician” to “combat systems leader.”

At the most senior level, the path points toward roles like COB. That role is one of the highest enlisted leadership positions on a submarine.

Typical time-to-advance expectations

The FT career path includes average time-to-advance figures. Those figures vary by sailor and year, but they provide a planning baseline. Examples shown include:

• FT3 around 1.9 years
• FT2 around 3.9 years
• FT1 around 7.6 years
• FTC around 12 years
• FTCS around 16.6 years
• FTCM around 20.6 years

These numbers are not promises. They show typical timing when performance and opportunity align.

Leadership roles and special programs

The career path lists commissioning and special program routes that can appear at different stages. Examples shown include STA-21, OCS, MECP, and paths toward warrant or limited duty officer opportunities.

Even without commissioning, leadership grows on every tour. LPO and LCPO roles appear in the sea tour descriptions, and those roles shape how you are evaluated for advancement.

How performance is evaluated in this community

The career path provides “fully qualified” and “best qualified” language for senior advancement consideration. It ties that status to leadership time, watch qualifications, and sustained superior performance.

That guidance reflects how submarine leadership thinks. They want technical competence, but they also demand reliability, calm judgment, and team leadership. A sailor who qualifies hard watches and improves the division becomes more competitive.

Salary and Benefits

Active duty pay depends on paygrade and years of service. The DFAS enlisted basic pay table lists monthly base pay effective January 1, 2026.

Here are example monthly base pay amounts that match common early and mid-career paygrades:

DFAS also lists a lower E-1 rate for sailors with less than four months of active duty.

Allowances you should understand

Most sailors receive allowances that are separate from base pay. Two common examples are:

• BAS, which is intended to offset meal costs
• Housing allowances, when government quarters are not provided

DFAS lists 2026 enlisted BAS as $476.95 per month.

Housing-related allowances vary widely by location, paygrade, and dependency status. That variation means two sailors with the same base pay can have very different total monthly compensation.

Submarine and sea-related pays

Many FTs qualify for submarine duty pay once they meet eligibility requirements. DFAS lists monthly Submarine Duty Pay rates by paygrade and years of service. For enlisted members, examples include:

• E-3: $90 to $105 by early service brackets
• E-5: $155 to $315 depending on service bracket
• E-6: $175 to $430 depending on service bracket

Sea duty can also trigger Career Sea Pay for sailors assigned to qualifying sea duty. DFAS lists Navy and Marine Corps Career Sea Pay rates by paygrade and cumulative sea duty time.

Other benefits that shape total compensation

Military compensation includes benefits beyond monthly pay. These benefits often include:

• Full-time medical coverage for active duty members
• Access to on-base services and support programs
• Leave accrual that supports rest and travel
• Retirement system participation, when service requirements are met

Pay tables change each year, and DFAS is the official reference point for current rates.

Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations

Operational and technical risk

FT work supports weapon employment capability, so mistakes can carry high consequences. The risk is not only personal injury risk. It is also mission risk tied to readiness and safe system operation.

Submarine operations add environmental constraints. Space is limited, and emergency response options are fewer than on shore. That reality makes procedural compliance more than a paperwork requirement.

You can reduce risk through small habits. Clean work areas, careful tool control, and accurate maintenance records prevent failures that show up later.

Safety culture and procedural discipline

Submarine communities tend to be strict about standards. That strictness is a safety feature and a readiness feature. You will be expected to follow maintenance procedures, use checklists, and verify system status before and after work.

As you advance, safety becomes part of your leadership identity. The career path points to qualifications like QA and safety observer for later progression. That signals a need to enforce standards, not just follow them.

Security and legal expectations

The Navy rating requirement table for FT (SS) includes a security eligibility column and other screening factors. That means your background, conduct, and reliability matter from the start.

The Navy also publishes general eligibility rules for gaining access to classified information. Those rules cover background investigation, suitability, and ongoing responsibilities.

Drug involvement, financial misconduct, and dishonesty can harm clearance eligibility and assignment options. For this rating, those issues can become career-limiting because the job depends on trust.

Impact on Family and Personal Life

Time away and schedule stress

Submarine sea tours can strain family routines because time away is significant and communication is limited. Planning helps, but plans can still change quickly. That uncertainty is part of the lifestyle.

The sea and shore flow in the career path also shows long sea tours early, including a first sea tour listed at 54 months. That detail matters when you plan major life events.

Even when you are home, work hours can be heavy during maintenance phases. Long days can appear near inspections, training cycles, and certification events.

Relationships and support planning

Healthy relationships in this job usually rely on clear expectations. Families do better when they plan finances, childcare, and emergency decisions before a long underway period.

A practical tool is a written family plan. It should cover bill pay, access to accounts, points of contact, and backup support. That plan reduces stress when communication goes quiet.

Leaders also expect sailors to manage personal issues proactively. If a crisis grows unchecked, it can affect your watch readiness and the division’s workload.

Housing and stability tradeoffs

Many junior sailors live in government quarters. Others may receive housing allowances when quarters are not provided, depending on location and policy. BAS is a predictable allowance, but housing support depends on duty station factors.

Shore duty can improve stability, but it can also bring a different kind of workload. Instructor and support billets often add administrative duties and mentoring demands.

Personal growth and fatigue management

This rating can build confidence and discipline. It also pushes you to manage fatigue carefully. Watch rotations reward sailors who protect sleep, hydrate, and avoid risky shortcuts.

The best long-term approach is to treat health as readiness. Fitness, nutrition, and mental stability support your job performance and family stability at the same time.

Post-Service Opportunities

Transferable skills

FTs develop technical skills that translate well outside the Navy. You learn how to troubleshoot systems, follow strict procedures, document work, and operate under pressure. Those abilities are valued in electronics, industrial maintenance, and technical operations roles.

Leadership skills also transfer. Senior FTs often run training, manage maintenance programs, and lead teams. That experience supports technical supervisor and operations management roles.

Civilian job matches and pay context

Many FTs pursue civilian roles that align with electronics and systems work. The jobs below are common matches, with BLS-reported pay context:

• Electrical and electronics engineers. Median annual wage around $118,780, May 2024.
• Electronics engineers, except computer. Median annual wage around $127,590, May 2024.
• Electrical and electronics installers and repairers. Median annual wage around $71,270, May 2024.
• Computer network support specialists. Median annual wage around $73,340, May 2024.

Engineering roles often require a degree, but FT experience can support a strong transition plan. Many sailors start in technician roles, then use education benefits to move into engineering or management later.

BLS also projects steady demand in several related areas. For example, the BLS projection for electrical and electronics engineers shows projected growth over 2024 to 2034.

Education and transition planning

A smart transition plan starts early. You can map your Navy training and qualifications into a resume that shows outcomes, not Navy jargon. Replace watch names with clear functions, and describe equipment experience in broad system terms.

Pick one target sector and build toward it. Options include defense contracting, industrial controls, maritime systems, and network or electronics support roles. Each sector rewards documented troubleshooting ability and disciplined work habits.

Networking also matters. Many veterans find jobs through command alumni, local veteran groups, and defense industry hiring pipelines.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Entry requirements that matter most

The Navy rating requirement table lists FT as FT (SS) and includes a special requirement to volunteer for submarines and meet physical standards. That is a defining eligibility factor for this rating.

Recruiting guidance for the rating also lists baseline requirements like U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a security clearance.

In simple terms, you should expect screening in four areas:

• Aptitude for technical training
• Medical suitability for submarine duty
• Reliability for security eligibility
• Commitment to a demanding sea-going lifestyle

ASVAB and line score requirements

The Navy’s published rating requirements table lists FT (SS) ASVAB composite options. The listed qualifying options include:

• VE + AR + MK + MC = 222
• AR + MK + EL = 162
• AO + AR + MK = 162
• AO + MK + AS = 162

Recruiters can explain which composite your test results match. Retesting policies and score rules can change, so treat this as the current published baseline.

Education expectations

A high school diploma is the normal path for most Navy enlisted accessions. Strong math and basic electronics comfort help, even if you have never worked in the field. The school pipeline moves quickly, and fundamentals make that pace easier.

You do not need prior submarine knowledge. You do need willingness to learn and accept strict standards.

Background screening and clearance eligibility

The Navy links the rating to security eligibility screening. That screening supports access to sensitive systems and information.

Your financial habits matter here. High unpaid debt and unresolved legal issues can delay or block clearance progress. Honest paperwork and consistent behavior protect your options.

Step-by-step path to the fleet

A typical path for an active duty FT looks like this:

1. Enlist and complete recruit training at RTC Great Lakes.
2. Attend BESS at Groton, Connecticut, about 8 weeks.
3. Attend FT “A” School and specialty training at Groton, about 18 weeks.
4. Report to the first operational command and start qualifications.

Is This Job a Good Fit for You

You will likely do well if you like these conditions

This rating fits people who enjoy technical puzzles and disciplined routines. You should be comfortable learning procedures and following them exactly. A good FT also stays calm under pressure and communicates clearly.

You may enjoy this job if you like team success more than individual spotlight. Submarine work rewards reliability and steady performance. Quiet competence earns trust, and trust drives opportunity.

Curiosity helps too. The best technicians keep learning, even after they qualify.

This job may feel rough if these things drain you

If you need constant personal space, submarine life can be hard. If you dislike watch schedules and interrupted sleep, the sea tour lifestyle can feel heavy. People who avoid strict rules can struggle because the work is procedure-driven.

You may also find the stakes stressful. Weapon-related readiness work can feel intense, especially during inspections and drills.

Questions to ask before you commit

• Do I want submarine life, not just technical work?
• Am I ready to qualify watches while learning maintenance fast?
• How will my family handle long periods with limited contact?
• Do I want a career that can lead into senior boat leadership?

Alternatives to compare

If you want technical Navy work but not submarines, compare other electronics and combat systems ratings that serve on surface ships. If you want a more maintenance-heavy path, compare ratings with stronger industrial maintenance focus. The best choice is the one you can sustain for years.

More Information

If FT sounds like your kind of work, talk with a local Navy recruiter and ask about the SECF path and FT availability. Bring goals and questions about submarine screening, training timing, and first duty station realities. The Fire Control Technician career overview and FT occupational standards can help before you sign anything.

You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs:

• Electronics Technician – Navigation (ETV)
• Sonar Technician Submarines (STS)