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Naval Electronics Technician (Radar)
SPECIAL COMMENTS
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OVERVIEW
They repair and maintain all shipboard electronic equipment used to: detect ships and aircraft; provide target and tracking information to the ship's surface and air weapon systems; and intercept, analyze, identify and jam electronic signals.


WHAT THEY DO
Naval Electronics Technician (Radar) [NE TECH(R)] personnel repair and maintain all shipboard electronic equipment used to: detect ships and aircraft; provide target and tracking information to the ship's surface and air weapon systems; and intercept, analyze, identify and jam electronic signals.

NE TECH(R)s are responsible for the corrective and planned maintenance activities associated to computer, local area networks, electronic and electrical components of various Combat Systems including:
  • Navigation Radars
  • Long Range Surface and Air Radars
  • Weapons Controlling Search and Tracking Radar Systems
  • Video Distribution Systems; Radiation Control and Distribution Systems
  • Electronic Intercept Systems; Electronic Jamming and Deception Systems
  • Militarized Local Area Networks (LAN's); and other electro-mechanical, electrical, electro-optical, optical and electronic power equipment assigned to the occupation


  • QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
    Personnel in this military occupation must, as a minimum, have obtained a passing mark in Grade 10 academic Mathematics in Ontario, or the equivalent in other provinces, and demonstrate a high level of aptitude for electronics. NE TECH (R) personnel, once qualified as Journeyman Technicians, must be able to work under emergency conditions, adapt quickly to cope with unfamiliar problems, endure occasional periods of extended work hours in order to achieve objectives, and diagnose and correct equipment faults in minimum time. They must function as members and leaders of a technical team, understand directions quickly, and improvise where necessary to achieve objectives. Personnel must be dependable and discreet because of exposure to classified service matters.

    The CF has introduced a series of recruitment allowances for eligible NCM applicants entering the Regular Force.

    Designed to attract skilled personnel to understrength occupations, the allowances are divided into three categories: post-secondary diploma or certificate NCMs ($10,000 signing bonus), civilian trade-qualified NCMs ($20,000 signing bonus) and MOC-qualified NCMs ($20,000 signing bonus).

    The allowances apply to new enrollees, re-enrollees and Reserve Force members who receive a component transfer into this Navy target occupation.

    In addition, depending on their qualification level, many qualified recruits will be eligible for incentives such as promotion to the rank of acting corporal immediately after the successful completion of basic training.



    TRAINING
    Basic Military Qualification

    The first stage of training for a successful applicant is the Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all occupations. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Forces (CF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

    Basic Occupational Qualification Training

    On completion of the BMQ, NE TECH(R)s attend Naval Environmental Training at the Canadian Forces Fleet School (CFFS) in Esquimalt, British Columbia or the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (CFNES) Halifax, Nova Scotia. Training takes approximately five weeks and includes:
  • Naval history and organization
  • Shipboard firefighting and damage control procedures
  • Seamanship responsibilities


  • CAREER DEVELOPMENT
    Opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training are available for those who demonstrate ability and potential. Technical Supervisor training in administration and ship systems is provided, as well as personnel management and leadership training. NE TECH(R) personnel are selected to assume the duties of supervisor based on superior leadership ability and management potential. At this level, they supervise the work of all Naval Electronics Technicians [(Sonar), (Communications), (Radar)] and Naval Weapons Technician personnel onboard. They will be involved with the maintenance of the ship's combat systems as a whole, rather than with the individual Sonar, Communications and Radar sub-systems. Individuals at this level will have completed over 140 weeks of occupation training over the course of their career.

    Personnel with proven outstanding leadership ability and management skills will be promoted to assume the duties of a manager and transferred to the Naval Electronics Technician (Manager) [NE Tech (M)] occupation. As the Chief of the Combat Systems Engineering (CSE) Department on ship, the NE TECH(M) is responsible for the management of approximately 30 personnel and the safe, efficient operation of the CSE Department.


    SPECIALTY TRAINING
    NE TECH(R)s begin at the Apprentice level and continue to Journeyman training. During the Apprentice phase, personnel undergo initial occupation training where the scope of employment is limited, supervisors decide work priorities and work is closely monitored. During the Journeyman phase, personnel perform tasks independently and explain or demonstrate to others how to perform tasks.

    Apprentice Training

    The NE TECH(R) Apprentice training at the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (CFNES) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, takes approximately 64 weeks and includes, but is not limited to, the following academic and equipment curriculum:
  • Mathematics and Physics
  • Electronics
  • Electronic Control Devices
  • Basic RADAR and radio propagation theory
  • Fiber Optic repair
  • Local Area Network repair (LAN)
  • Hazardous material cleanup procedures

    On completion of the Apprentice academic and equipment training course, the NE TECH(R) is required to complete 15 to 18 months of on-the-job training onboard ship before being qualified as an Apprentice.

    Journeyman Training

    Journeyman Training takes approximately 50 weeks and includes advanced academic and equipment specific training for all classes of ships and, if applicable, submarines. Academic training takes place at either the CFNES in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or, for West coast personnel, at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia.

    The third and final phase of NE TECH(R) technical training commences with a 12-month Pre-Instruction Package conducted onboard ship and concludes with a three-week formal course at the CFNES.


  • WORKING ENVIRONMENT
    NE TECH(R) personnel are trained for service on ships and submarines stationed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia. Personnel are employed in occupation-related duties at sea, in harbour and at shore establishments. Duties at sea are performed in exposed, as well as enclosed and confined spaces above and below the waterline, under all climatic and
    environmental conditions.

    NE TECH(R)s perform watchkeeping duties for extended periods of time, which results in irregular meal hours and rest periods. As well, they are subject to limited working and living space, lack of privacy, and discomfort caused by the motion of the ship at sea. As with all sea-going personnel, Apprentice technicians are employed in out-of-occupation duties such as cleaning and painting the ship, performing Engineering watchkeeper's duties in harbour, and loading supplies.


    RELATED CIVILIAN OCCUPATIONS
  • Electronic and Electrical Technician
  • Industrial Electrician