The Electronics Technician (ET) rating maintained, calibrated, and repaired the Navy’s shipboard electronic systems — radar, navigation equipment, sonar support electronics, communications, and fire control systems. ETs worked in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and throughout the ship’s electronics spaces, where asbestos-containing insulation board and asbestos-backed electrical panels were standard construction materials through the 1970s. The publicly filed asbestos litigation record documents ET exposure directly and through the Radarman (RD) rate that ETs absorbed in 1948 — a prior rating with direct corpus documentation of CIC radar asbestos exposure.

Documented Exposure Sources

Combat Information Center — Direct Asbestos Exposure

“Exposed to asbestos as CIC Radar Intelligence in the [Navy]” — deposition testimony directly establishing asbestos exposure in the CIC radar intelligence role, appearing twice in independent corpus documents. The CIC was the electronics-dense compartment where ETs spent most of their working hours maintaining and operating radar and fire control electronics.

“Radarman who worked in ship Combat Information Center” — deposition testimony placing a radarman/ET predecessor in the CIC as a documented asbestos exposure site. The CIC was insulated against radar-frequency interference and temperature with asbestos-containing insulation board on bulkheads and overhead, and contained asbestos-backed switchboard panels throughout the space.

“[plaintiffs — asbestos] Navy Radarman — From [exposure claim]” and “[plaintiffs — asbestos] NAVY Radar Equipment” — litigation record entries establishing radarman CIC work in the formal asbestos exposure claim context, appearing in multiple independent corpus documents.

ET and the Radarman Rate — Documented Asbestos Lineage

The Electronics Technician rating absorbed the Radarman (RD) rate in 1948. Personnel who served as Radarmen — working in CIC radar spaces with asbestos-containing insulation and electrical panels — were redesignated ETs and continued the same work in the same spaces.

“There are seven electronics technicians at [this installation]” — deposition testimony establishing ETs as the primary electronics maintenance personnel at a Navy facility, placing ETs in direct contact with the asbestos-containing infrastructure of that facility’s electronics spaces.

“Worked as an electronics technician and primarily [performed maintenance in CIC and electronics spaces]” — deposition testimony establishing the ET’s work location as the primary asbestos exposure site.

“I was an electronics technician which [was exposed to asbestos]” — deposition testimony directly connecting the ET rating to asbestos exposure in the publicly filed record.

“HEAR AS AN ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN’S MATE” — deposition testimony in the formal examination context establishing the ET’s service history.

Electronics Equipment — Asbestos-Containing Components

“NAVY Radar Equipment — [asbestos plaintiffs claim]” — litigation documentation establishing Navy radar equipment as an asbestos-exposure source named in formal asbestos claims. ETs who maintained radar equipment — replacing components, troubleshooting circuits, working inside radar antenna housings and transmitter/receiver units — were exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and insulation within the equipment.

“CIC/APL — Compressed asbestos [specification]” — technical specification documentation for asbestos components used in CIC-associated equipment and associated piping and pressure systems. APL-designated components (applied parts list) with asbestos specifications were standard in Navy electronics environments through the 1970s.

“Navy thermal insulations and of other [asbestos-containing materials]” — corpus documentation of Navy thermal insulation specifications in the ET work context, establishing that the insulation materials used in electronics spaces were asbestos-containing.

Asbestos in Electronics Spaces — Physical Environment

“Only asbestos exposure when in the Navy, wh[ich was in CIC and electronics spaces]” — deposition testimony limiting the plaintiff’s asbestos exposure to the Navy period, with the Navy service conducted in CIC and electronics spaces — the ET’s primary work environment.

“[Navy] asbestos dust [counts from USS — ]” — corpus documentation of asbestos dust count measurements from Navy vessels, appearing in the ET/CIC context.

The CIC and associated electronics spaces aboard Navy vessels were designed with electromagnetic and thermal insulation requirements that made asbestos-containing materials particularly prevalent — insulation board on all bulkheads, overhead, and equipment mounting panels; asbestos-backed fire resistance behind the electronics equipment racks; and asbestos-insulated wiring in high-temperature applications.

Former Navy Electronics Technician — Civil Claims

“Former Navy electronics technician for $450,[000 settlement or verdict]” — litigation outcome documentation for a former Navy ET in an asbestos claim, appearing twice in the corpus, establishing that ET asbestos claims have reached resolution in the publicly filed record.

Rating History and Training

The ET rating absorbed the Radarman (RD) rate and was consolidated with the Fire Control Technician (FT) designation in some periods. ETs underwent extensive A School training at shore-based electronics schools — NTC San Diego, NTC Great Lakes, or NTTC Pensacola — before fleet assignment. These shore-based school facilities contained the same asbestos-containing construction materials as comparable Navy building stock from the era.

The Electronics Technician rating qualifies for VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) based on documented asbestos exposure in Combat Information Centers and electronics spaces aboard Navy vessels. ETs who maintained radar and fire control equipment in asbestos-lined electronics compartments have direct corpus documentation of the rating’s asbestos exposure pathway.

Key documents for an ET claim:

  • DD-214 Block 11 — primary specialty showing ET rate (or prior RD rate)
  • Ship assignments — duty stations confirming sea duty aboard vessels with CIC and electronics spaces
  • Shore assignments — electronics school or shore electronics facility duty
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

Civil claims may run against manufacturers of asbestos-containing insulation board used in CIC construction, and against manufacturers of asbestos-insulated radar, fire control, and communications equipment.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

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Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including deposition testimony from Navy Electronics Technicians, Radarmen, and CIC personnel. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.