What They Do
- Wired and wireless communication and information systems
- Radio, satellite and microwave broadband technology
- Fibre and copper broadband technology
- Voice and Data delivery services Training
Career Development
On completion of required training, Army Communication and Information Systems Specialists are usually posted to one of the tactical Signal Squadrons at Petawawa in Ontario, Valcartier in Quebec, Edmonton in Alberta or the Joint Signal Regiment in Kingston in Ontario. Employment opportunities for qualified Army Communication and Information Systems Specialists exist in Infantry, Artillery, Armoured and Special Operations Regiments and other CF units throughout Canada and on deployed operations around the world. Army Communication and Information Systems Specialists also enjoy opportunities for advanced training and promotion.
Working Environment
Army Communication and Information Systems Specialists work in all climates and environments. When employed in the field in support of land or air operations, they work outdoors (often in isolated places) in single-person mobile radio detachments, vehicle-mounted shelters, or communications vehicles. Army Communication and Information Systems Specialists can often work in a high-security environment, typically a restricted- access, windowless communications facility.
Perform in land operations and, when necessary, in fight as infantry (includes use of advanced weapons systems, reconnaissance and section level tactics). Normal levels of mental stress are encountered when employed at a garrison unit, but stress increases considerably when on exercise or deployed on operations. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist’s health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
- Army Physical Fitness
- Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations
- Reconnaissance Patrolling
- Advanced Weapons Handling
- Individual Field Craft
- Radio and antenna systems theory
- Computer systems theory
- Satellite and microwave systems theory
- Radio communications and information security
- Installation and operation of communication and information systems
- Maintenance and operation of power generating systems
- Communication and information systems maintenance and repair techniques
- Installation and maintenance of fibre and copper systems
- Long range communication terminal repair
- Satellite communication terminal repair
- Microwave radio systems maintenance repair
- Land radar system maintenance repair
- Fibre optics systems maintenance and repair
- Computer systems support
- Information system design
- Database administration and management
- Helpdesk analyst
- Computer system administration and repair
- Fibre optics systems maintenance and repair
- Installation, maintenance, repair and removal of fibre optics and copper cable
- Urban distribution of cable plant design
- Advanced antenna and support structure installation, maintenance and repair
- Plan and advise on Communication and Information System policies, procedures and processes.
- Responsible for analyzing, reviewing, developing, and implementing Communication and Information System policies for key communication issues.
- Evaluate the impact on communication operations, and monitor the implementation of policies for integrating and synchronizing Signal support.
- Determine personnel and hardware needs, conceive technical goals, coordinate research, design business plans, and direct the CF’s communications and information systems operations.
- Communications and information systems facility controller
- Systems support specialist
- Communications and information systems management
- Data network design concepts
- Small system support
- Leadership and management
