Line Technician

Overview

You will be responsible for providing the infrastructure for communications services between Combat Arms units in the field. This includes designing, planning and installing telecommunications networks and constructing and maintaining complex antenna systems.

What They Do

Line Technicians belong to the Communications and Electronics (C&E) branch of the Canadian Forces, and are responsible for providing the infrastructure for communications services between Combat Arms units in the field. This work includes (but is not limited to) designing, planning and installing telecommunications networks of copper and fiber-optic cable, and constructing and maintaining complex antenna systems. Because they work in operational areas, Line Technicians are also trained as combat soldiers.

Line Technicians have the following primary duties:

   Operate specialized construction equipment such as backhoes, trenchers,and pole-and-cable trailers;

   Operate commercial and military-type vehicles in operational and non-operational environments;

   Design, plan, construct, inspect and test overhead, underground and underwater communication cable routes for permanent bases and tactical locations;

   Use and maintain power tools such as power saws, pneumatic drills, hydraulic tools and cable-pressurization equipment;

   Plan, engineer, supervise, install and maintain permanent and tactical communication cable plants to support voice and data communications;

   Operate communications test equipment such as optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs), time domain reflectometers (TDRs), voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) testers and local area network (LAN) testers; and

   When necessary, fight as infantry (includes use of personal weapons, reconnaissance and section-level tactics).

Qualification Requirements

Line Technicians require physical stamina, strength, good finger dexterity and eye-hand co-ordination. They must have a good memory, enjoy working with details and working in teams, and be capable of long periods of concentration. They also require good mathematical skills, and must be able to organize and schedule their own work. Line Technicians should also enjoy working with technical equipment, and be willing and able to assume responsibility.

Training

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage for everyone is the 13-week Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. It is also physically demanding. A primary goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits attain the CF physical fitness standard. BMQ covers the following material:

   policies and regulations of the Canadian Forces;

   CF drill, dress and deportment (the “three Ds”);

   basic safety;

   first aid;

   personal survival in nuclear, biological and chemical conditions;

   handling and firing personal weapons;

   cross-country navigation; and

   personal survival in field conditions.

Soldier Qualification

On successful completion of BMQ, Line Technicians go to a Military Training Centre for the Soldier Qualification (SQ) course, which lasts 20 training days and covers the following topics:

   Army physical fitness;

   dismounted offensive and defensive operations;

   reconnaissance patrolling;

   advanced weapons-handling (working with grenades, machine-guns and anti-tank weapons); and

   individual field-craft.

Basic Military Occupational Training

Basic Military Occupational (MOC) training for Line Technicians takes about 28 weeks, and is given at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario. It covers the following material:

   Climbing telephone poles and towers;

   Constructing telephone pole routes for suspending communication cables;

   Laying communication cables in combat situations;

   Use of power saws, jack-hammers and compressors;

   Connecting and operating a combat switchboard;

   Installing and servicing combat telephones; and

   Troubleshooting tactical and non-tactical line communications problems.

Employment

On successful completion of Basic MOC Training, Line Technicians can be expected to be posted to a field unit.

Working Environment

Both in training and on operations, Line Technicians do most of their work outdoors, where they may be exposed to extreme environmental and climatic conditions for extended periods without rest or shelter. Some of their work is done high above the ground on towers and poles, and other duties are carried out in cramped and dirty places such as utility tunnels, attics, crawl-spaces and manholes. Like other CF personnel, Line Technicians may be required to live in cramped quarters when deployed on operations. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Line Technicians’ health, safety and morale are closely monitored.

Advanced and Specialty Training

As their careers progress, Line Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and ambition will be offered (through formal courses or on-job training) the following advanced MOC training:

   Quality Assurance


The following specialty training may also be available:

   Installation and Maintenance of Fibre Optics

   Urban Distribution Plant Design

   Advanced Antenna Training

   Instructional Techniques

Career Development

The career of a Line Technician provides companionship, good pay, travel, trade skills, responsible positions and, above all, job satisfaction. Personnel with proven abilities enjoy excellent opportunities for advanced training.

Related Civilian Occupations

   Antenna Rigger

   Cable Installer

   Cable Splicer

   Line Installer-Repairer (Telecommunications)

   Line Technician

   Telecommunication Cabling Network Designer

   Telecommunication Cabling Network Manager