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Sonar Technician |
ST |
(Surface)
(Subsurface) |
STG
STS |
| Sonar Technicians are responsible for underwater surveillance. They assist in safe navigation and aid in search and rescue and attack operations. They operate and repair sonar equipment and jam enemy sonars. Sonar Technicians operate, maintain and repair sonar systems, antisubmarine warfare, fire control equipment and other various equipment associated with underwater detection, counter-detection, warfare and communications. |
Sonar Technician (STG's) are operators and electronics technicians responsible for keeping sonar systems and equipment in good operating condition on surface ships such as frigates, minesweepers, destroyers, cruisers or at remote locations throughout the world. They are responsible for underwater surveillance, and aid in safe navigation and search and rescue operations. They use sonar to detect, analyze and locate targets of interest.
The duties performed by STGs include:
- Operate sonar sensors for detection and classification of contacts;
- Operate underwater fire control systems;
- Identify sounds produced by surface ships, torpedoes, submarines, evasion devices, sonar transmissions, marine life and natural phenomena;
- Analyze, interpret and report all acoustic data;
- Identify the characteristics, functions and effects of controlled jamming and evasive devices on sonar operations;
- Prepare and interpret sonar messages;
- Maintain charts and plots;
- Operate tape recorders, bathythermographs and fathometers, computer localization subsystems and data entry terminals;
- Recognize major equipment malfunctions during sensor operations;
- Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on sonar equipment and underwater fire control systems including use of general purpose test equipment;
- Identify electronic components on schematics and tracing major signal flow;
- Use hand tools and portable power tools;
- Operate underwater communications equipment.
Working Environment
STGs usually work indoors in clean, shop like environments and computer equipment rooms. They work closely with others and require little supervision.
A-School (Job School) Information
San Diego, CA --61 calendar days
Security Clearance Requirement: Secret
Other Requirements
- Must have normal color perception
- Must have normal hearing (see below)
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
Normal hearing required. Frequencies: 3000hz 4000hz 5000hz 6000hz Average hearing threshold level in these four frequencies must be less than 30db, with no level greater than 45db in any one frequency. If hearing level exceeds these limits, the applicant is enlistment ineligible for the rating. Minimum auditory requirements: Cycles/ISO 500/35, 1000/30, 8000/45.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 54 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 36 months
- Second Shore Tour: 36 months
- Third Sea Tour: 36 months
- Third Shore Tour: 36 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
STSs The Sonar Technician, Submarine specialty operate (control, evaluate, and interpret data) submarine sonar, oceanographic equipment, and submarine auxiliary sonar; coordinate submarine sonar and underwater fire control interface; perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on submarine and allied equipment. You cannot enlist with a guarantee for this rating. Instead, you enlist in the Navy's Submarine Electronics/Computer Field (SECF). Following Enlisted Basic Submarine School (BESS) and the first portion of the Submarine Learning Center pipeline course, you are assigned to be trained as ET-COM, ET-NAV, FT, or STS. Your rating is determined from your preferences, scores received in the above two schools, and the "needs of the Navy."
Working Environment
Duties in this rating are usually performed aboard submarines. Submarine Electronics/Computer Field personnel usually work indoors in a clean, controlled environment with comfortable temperatures. However, some work is required in a clean or dirty environment of a shop-like nature. Their work may be independent in nature, but they usually work closely with others under direct supervision.
A-School (Job School) Information
- Groton, CT -- 4 weeks (Basic Enlisted Submarine School)
- Groton, CT --18 weeks (Submarine Learning Center)
Note: The Submarine Learning Center includes Apprenticeship Technical Training, Tactical Computer Network Operations, or TCNO, and STS "A-School." Some students may be selected for advanced training ("C-School,") prior to shipping out to the fleet
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret
Other Requirements
- Must be U.S. Citizen
- Most have normal color perception
- Must have normal hearing.
- Must volunteer for submarine duty
- Must have no record of conviction by civil court for any offense other than minor traffic.
- Moral turpitude offenses are generally disqualifying.
- No history of drug abuse.
- This job (like all submarine jobs) is closed to women
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 48 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 36 months
- Second Shore Tour: 36 months
- Third Sea Tour: 36 months
- Third Shore Tour: 36 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
110128-N-9589S-190 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 28, 2011) Sonar Technician 2nd Class Curtis M. Macner, a member of the visit, board, search and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), descends into a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a training exercise. Truxtun is conducting a composite training unit exercise as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group to prepare for an upcoming combat deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Richard J. Stevens/Released)
101216-N-6523K-024 KINGS BAY, Ga. (Dec. 16, 2010) Sonar Technician (Submarine) 3rd Class Christopher Linville, center, from Nappanee, Ind., and Electronics Technician 2nd Class Johnathon Jourden, right, from Milnan, Mich., assist in pulling in the ballistic-missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay as a safety officer, left, supervises the line handling efforts. West Virginia conducted routine operations for two days prior to pulling in. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)
