Naval Combat Information Operator

Overview

As a member of the military, Naval Combat Information Operators are responsible for the operation of all shipboard surveillance radars and associated equipment of the shipboard intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Naval Combat Information Operators assist and advise the ship’s leadership in navigation, anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Their primary duties are to:

• Configure and operate:
  
  
  
  • Command and control system
  
  
  • Ships’ radars
  
  
  • Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems
  
  
  • Multi-tactical data links
  
  
  • Global command and control system - maritime
  
  
  • Information processing systems
  
  
  • Ship borne integrated communication equipment and related sub-systems
  
  
  
  


• Analyse equipment and system performance on all combat information equipment


• Perform basic online fault diagnostic procedures


• Collect, correlate, record, analyse, display, and disseminate all tactical information


• Maintain classified logs and publications

Work environment

At sea, Naval Combat Information Operators work primarily in the ship’s Operations Room with modern and sophisticated equipment. They may perform duty as sentry or lookout, assist with replenishment at sea, and manage ship entries and harbour movements. They participate in search and rescue events and person-overboard emergencies, act as a member of the ship’s emergency response team for security watches, and perform ship maintenance and repairs. In emergencies, they participate in firefighting and damage control, and may serve on the naval boarding party to inspect cargo on suspect vessels. If you join the Regular Force, you will be assigned to your first base after training; postings can involve relocations. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will serve part-time with a reserve unit, typically one night per week and some weekends, with potential for full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options

No previous work experience or career-related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help determine if your interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation. The minimum education is the completion of provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Foreign education may be accepted.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training builds core skills and ensures physical fitness standards. Naval Combat Information Operators attend either Naval Fleet School Pacific in Esquimalt, British Columbia, or Naval Fleet School Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for approximately 26 weeks, to prepare for their role as the ship’s Anti-Submarine Plotting Operator. Training includes:

• Operate personal computers


• Basic radar and radio theory


• Radar systems operation and check


• Internal and external communications technique


• Tactical display preparation and setup


• Tactical information correlation


• Use of publications, ship’s logs, files and state boards


• Evidence and intelligence gathering


• Basic relative velocity


• Conduct search and rescue procedures


• Underwater warfare organization

Additional training in tactical network planning and procedures, sensor and intelligence information correlation, as well as personnel management and leadership, are available to those who demonstrate ability. Available courses include:

• Instructional techniques


• Ship’s team diver


• Ship’s team diving supervisor


• Naval boarding party


• Naval Combat Information Operator submarine qualification


• Submarine qualification


• Naval combat information operator control room watch supervisor


• Global command control systems – maritime instructor

Those who demonstrate aptitude may have the opportunity to specialize as an Information Management Director, responsible to Command for the management of information networking and the dissemination of all-source information. Required courses include:

• Operations and exercise planning – tactical procedures


• Sensor and intelligence information interpretation


• Advanced network planning and management

Naval recruits attend the Naval Fleet School in Esquimalt, British Columbia, or Halifax, Nova Scotia, for approximately five weeks. Training topics include naval history and organization, shipboard firefighting and damage control, shipboard safety, watchkeeping duties, and seamanship.

Part-time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part-time at their home unit and may serve while studying or working civilian jobs. They are paid during training and are not posted or required to relocate. Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for evenings and weekends, with possibilities of full-time employment.

Reserve Force members are typically trained to the same level as Regular Force counterparts. After basic training and environmental training, naval recruits train for the Naval Combat Information Operator qualification at the Canadian Forces Fleet School in Halifax for about 8 weeks. They are paid 92.8% of Regular Force pay, receive benefits, and may qualify for a pension plan. They serve with the Royal Canadian Navy and may be posted to a CAF home port.

Related Careers

• Sonar Operator


• Naval Communicator


• Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing

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