Naval Signalman
Naval Signalmen (NAV SIG) communicate messages between sea and shore-based units using radios, teletype, visual and sound signalling equipment and message processing equipment. Naval Signalmen are specialists in tactical communications. On board ship they are a vital link in the Cammand chain, providing operational and tactical information to the Officer-of-the-Watch and Commanding Officer. They also advise on signalling and Manoeuvring.
What They Do
Communicate with visual and sound equipment such as flashing lights, flags, sirens and pyrotechnics.
Know and use Morse Code, Semaphore, the Naval Code and the International Code of Signals.
Send and receive messages by radio and telephone using both signal codes and plain language.
Operate teletype writers and associated equipment such as printers, perforators and distributors.
Prepare and use high and low grade cipher equipment to encode and decode classified essages.
Type, distribute and control messages.
Co-ordinate local and fleet communication organization.
Perform shipboard ceremonial procedures.
Diagnose equipment faults.
Perform planned and corrective maintenance, modification and component replacement on equiment used in this Military Occupation.
Working Enviroment
Naval Signalmen spend approximately 60% of their careers assigned to ships where they are employed primarily on the bridge and flag deck areas and in the Operations Room. their duties require them to spend considerable time on the upper decks where they are subject to extremes of temperature, we, slippery and often noisy conditions. They are required to wear headphones and remain standing for long periods of time. In addition, they are sometimes required to work aloft on ships' masts. Ashore Naval Signalmen are employed in comfortable surroundings, but may be required to work shifts, particularly in communications facilities. As with all naval personnel, Naval Signalmenare sailors first, signalers second. They are required to live and work in the cramped and noisy confines of a ship where privacy is not common, personnel work shifts or watches, and meal hours are irregular. Work days are long and busy. In addition to their Military Occupational duties, junior personnel in particular, are employed in out of occupation duties such as cleaning and painting the ship, working in the cafeteria or laundry, standing sentry duty or loading supplies. At sea they work primarily in their occupation.
Qualification and Interests
Personnel in this Military Occupation must be able to concentrate under stressful conditions and should possess good logical reasoning ability with a memory for detail. Adaptability, reliability, accuracy and discretion are essential attributes of Naval Signalmen. They must also be willing to accept responsibility, and work indepaendently with little supervision. This is an operational, not a technical occupation.
Advanced Military Occupation and Specialty Training Courses
Personnel who demonstrate the required ability and ambition will undertake advanced Military Occupation training through formal courses or on-the-job training as they progress in their careers. Specialty training may also be available. Below are examples of trainingrelated to this Military Occuptaion.
Advanced Military Occupation Training
Message Centre Organization
Computer Operation (Message Handling)
Advanced Cryptography
Specialty Military Occupation Courses
Instructional Technique
Ship's Yeoman
Ship's Cox'n
Career Opportunities
Naval Signalmen usually serve at sea until they reach the rank of Leading Seaman. They then divide their service career between employment ashore, often in communications or training facilities and employment onboard ship. There is ample opportunity fro travel and advanced training and rapid promotion is readily available for personnel who demonstrate their abilities. There are approximately 350 Naval Signalmen Currently serving in the Canadian Forces.
Related Civilian Jobs
Cryptoanalyst/Cryptographer
Teletypist
Telecommunications Systems Operator
Office Supervisor/Administrator
Marine Traffic ControllerThis page was last updated 17 October 1995 (c) Mark Grant
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