We carry loadmasters to do the loading and unloading. The FE does do the fueling normally, as well as preflight. Need to have at least the FE writtens done or they won't look at the application. The Chief FE is a DE who can and has done the initial FE ticket, but if you don't have tests done, it doesn't show you really have much interest in playing. That said, almost all of the competitive FE applicants, and from that the new hires, have some Herc experience, either flying or maintaining. Somebody who knows the plane sitting in the middle seat makes everything run better. Of course, there are getting to be fewer and fewer of those as the military sheds their C-130Hs in favor of Js.