log books to learn about the operating history of the
equipment they are assigned to maintain.
MAINTAINING SOURCES OF
INFORMATION
Since sources of information are of great
importance to every technician, there is a need to
maintain, update, and care for all of them. In the
remainder of this chapter, we will discuss how to care
for the Electronics Technicians’ primary sources of
information.
SCHEMATICS
Let’s begin with the schematics that took you so
much time to color code when you were in school,
particularly in “C” school. The instructor for schematics
gave you certain information that you thought would be
valuable in the future. You probably put that information
on your schematics. After “C” school, you may have
referred to those schematics during certain repair
procedures. The schematics became good reference
material. If you still have the schematics, laminate them
and make them part of your personal, professional
reference library.
Now let’s look at the schematics contained in your
technical manuals. The first thing to remember is that
the technical manuals in your shop are for every
technician to use. Do not write on these schematics. If
you do, you will probably confuse you shipmates when
they need to use them. Often, these schematics tend to
tear along the folds. Reinforce these areas with clear
tape. Finally, be sure to fold the schematics neatly back
into the technical manual when you have finished using
them.
SHOP LOGS
Far too often, shop logs become scratch pads or
doodle pads. To ensure that this does not happen with
your shop logs, place them on book shelves when you
have completed your entries into them. Remember,
these logs will contain information on equipment history
that shipmates who arrive on board long after you have
transferred may need to use.
PERIODICALS
Periodicals such as the EIB and the SHIPS SAFETY
BULETIN should be kept in hard binders in
chronological order. Keep these binders in a bookcase
or shelf in your shop for everyone in the shop to use. As
we mentioned before, these periodicals are filled with
technical and safety information.
INSTRUCTIONS
There are many instructions in the Navy, and to keep
them all in your shop would be an impossibility.
However, in many of these instructions, you will find
pertinent information that pertains directly to the ET
world, such as electronic safety, hazardous material
control, and so on. When you come across this
information, copy it and keep it in a binder for reference
in your shop. Remember to keep this binder up to date
as you receive changes to the instructions.
In this chapter we have discussed some of the
reports, logs, and publications that will be helpful to you
in your everyday job as a technician. You now have the
responsibility to apply this information and to enhance
your administrative skills. In the next chapter you will
learn about the technical administration aspects of your
job as an Electronics Technician.
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