SUBMARINE ELECTRONICS/COMPUTER FIELD APPRENTICE (SECF)
The U.S. Navy submarine force submarine electronics/computer field apprentice rating — SECF.
OVERVIEW
Submarine Electronics/Computer Field Apprentice (SECF) is the U.S. Navy's accession rating identifier for Sailors enlisted into the Submarine Electronics/Computer Field Program before designation into one of the submarine electronics ratings: Electronics Technician (Submarine Communications) — ETV, Electronics Technician (Submarine Navigation) — ETR, Information Systems Technician (Submarine) — ITS, Fire Control Technician — FT, or Sonar Technician (Submarine) — STS. SECF is used in PRIDE during the SECF A-school phase at Naval Submarine School Groton.
The submarine community is an all-volunteer force that operates the Navy's nuclear-powered fast-attack, guided-missile, and ballistic-missile submarines. Sailors must qualify in submarines (earning the Silver or Gold Dolphins) and operate under unique deployment cycles, watchbills, and the demanding Submarine Force standards established by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.
A-school for the rating runs ~12 weeks SECF A-school + 26–36 weeks sub-rating C-school at Submarine Electronics/Computer Field A-school — Naval Submarine School, Groton CT (pre-designation phase) before assignment to ETV/ETR/ITS/FT/STS., where Sailors complete the technical foundation needed to report to their first fleet command. Entry requires the ASVAB line score AR+MK+EI+GS=222 and an enlistment obligation of 6–6 years. SECFs advance through the standard enlisted paygrade structure (E-1 through E-9), competing in the Navy-Wide Advancement Examination (NWAE) at E-4 through E-6 and via the Selection Board at E-7 through E-9. Senior SECFs typically serve as Leading Petty Officer (LPO), Work Center Supervisor, Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), or Command Master Chief (CMC), and may pursue Limited Duty Officer (LDO), Chief Warrant Officer (CWO), or commissioning programs such as STA-21, MECP, or OCS.
Across the active force, SECF Sailors are essential to the Navy's mission readiness, and the rating remains an in-demand career field with strong reenlistment bonuses (SRB), advancement opportunities, and pathways into Navy Reserve, civilian DoD, and industry careers after service.
WHAT SECFs DO
SECF apprentices complete SECF A-school core curriculum and Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS), then receive sub-rating designation into ETV, ETR, ITS, FT, or STS based on aptitude and Navy need before continuing into platform-specific C-school.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- SECF apprentices complete SECF A-school core curriculum and Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS), then receive sub-rating designation into ETV, ETR, ITS, FT, or STS based on aptitude and Navy need before continuing into platform-specific C-school.
- Stand watches and qualify on the rating's Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), maintain training jackets, and mentor junior SECFs as required by the chain of command.
- Lead the SECF work center as Leading Petty Officer or Work Center Supervisor — managing maintenance documentation in 3M/MFOM, parts ordering, and personnel qualifications.
- Support general military training (GMT), damage control, force protection, and watch-bill assignments common to every Sailor regardless of rating.
HISTORY
The Submarine Electronics/Computer Field accession program was established to consolidate the high-aptitude submarine electronics accession pipeline under one identifier, mirroring the Nuclear Field (NF) and Advanced Electronics/Computer Field (AECF) accession programs.
The submarine rating lineage traces to the commissioning of USS Holland in 1900 and the establishment of the Submarine Force the same year. Modern submarine enlisted ratings were redefined under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover in the 1950s as the Navy transitioned from diesel-electric to nuclear propulsion with USS Nautilus (SSN-571).
Today the Submarine Electronics/Computer Field Apprentice (SECF) rating is overseen by the Enlisted Community Management (ECM) office at My Navy HR and the Center for Personal and Professional Development. Modern SECFs benefit from the Sailor 2025 personnel-system reforms, the Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) training continuum, and credentialing through the Navy COOL program — turning rating qualifications into industry-recognized certifications and licenses.
The rating's structure, training pipeline, and operational employment continue to evolve alongside the Navy's transition to Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Project Overmatch, and the Force Design 2045 fleet architecture, ensuring SECFs remain central to the warfighting mission.
TRAINING PIPELINE
- 1. Recruit Training (Boot Camp)~10 weeksNaval Station Great Lakes, ILInitial entry training for all U.S. Navy enlisted Sailors.
- 2. Submarine Electronics/Computer Field Apprentice Pipeline~12 weeks SECF A-school + 26–36 weeks sub-rating C-schoolSubmarine Electronics/Computer Field A-school — Naval Submarine School, Groton CT (pre-designation phase) before assignment to ETV/ETR/ITS/FT/STS.Apprentice/striker training in the submarine accession pipeline before sub-rating designation.
TYPICAL CAREER PATH
- E-1/E-3Submarine Electronics/Computer Field ApprenticeEntry tier; submarine electronics/computer field apprentice accession track in the submarine community.
- E-4Designated Petty Officer (sub-rating)Designation into a target rating with full A-/C-school qualification.
- E-7+Chief Petty Officer (sub-rating)Senior enlisted leader of the designated rating in the command.
TYPICAL PLATFORMS & UNITS
- Naval Submarine School, Groton CT
- Submarine fleet (post-designation)
EXAMPLE NECs
- No NECs assigned at SECF apprentice tier; NECs accrue after sub-rating designation
- U.S. citizenship and minimum ASVAB AR+MK+EI+GS=222
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Pass the Navy physical and medical screening
- Naval Submarine School, Groton CT
- Submarine fleet (post-designation)
RELATED RATINGS
RELATED BASES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SOURCES
- Navy Submarine Electronics/Computer Field Apprentice (navy.com)
- My Navy HR — Enlisted Community Management
- Navy COOL — Rating Detail