As we transition to more sophisticated sonar suites and submarine platforms, one of the more critical areas for the STS community to address is the need for more qualified technical experts at sea.  The most common requests from Commanding Officers and Sonar LCPOs are for fleet returnees with ARCI and equipment NECs.  One of the tools used to meet the demand signal for technical specialists as well as fleet returnees is manning “C” School seats to capacity.  Each year we convene between 5 and 7 sonar pipeline “C” Schools.  The pipeline “C” School options are BSY-1 and Virginia Class maintenance pipelines, which are convened in Groton and BQQ-6 which convenes in Bangor, WA.  Each of the convenings includes some version of ARCI and JSTS.  These pipelines are extraordinarily beneficial to sonarmen and submarine crews as they prepare junior sonarmen to be Sonar Supervisors as well as technical experts. 

There are two ways to attend these pipelines.  Sailors can either attend after their shore tour or they can STAR re-enlist and submit a NAVPERS 1306/7 to attend STAR “C” School.  To attend STAR “C” School, members should be qualified up to Sonar Supervisor at a minimum and have at least 24 months on board their current boat.  Upon completion of your “C” School, you will receive orders to a submarine for 24 months minimum.  In most cases, members have been able to receive their port of choice upon graduation.  Commands are encouraged to approve NAVPERS 1306/7 requests to attend “C” School in order to meet the demand for technicians in the fleet.  This short-term loss will result in long-term command and community health and significantly improve experience and expertise in the fleet.

STS1 (SS) Donald Roy

Sonar Technician Submarine detailer