Herk FE,
I get the same blank look, when I try to describe it as well (some times to the fuel truck dude too). Odd, as it is the most common and nearly the oldest enlisted flying position. Can't get too wrapped up, as I didn't know about it either, until I went to ALS with an FE and he had a hell of a time explaining what it was he did to my dumb ass. Concur with the rest - poor training and poor focus on the mission is to blame.