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.

As members of the ship’s Combat Information Organization, 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 recognizance 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 on-line fault diagnostic procedures
• Collect, correlate, record, analyse, display, and disseminate all tactical information
• Maintain classified logs and publications

To be eligible to apply to the CAF, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada;
• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:
  • For the Paid Education programs—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent);
  • For the Primary Reserves—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student;
• Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Québec (some jobs need higher levels of education).

Work Environment

At sea, Naval Combat Information Operators work mostly within the ship’s Operations Room with some of the most modern and sophisticated equipment at sea today. Onboard ship, Naval Combat Information Operators experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with work at sea.

As with all sea-going personnel, Naval Combat Information Operators work with their fellow shipmates in out-of-occupation duties such as sentry or lookout duty, line handler for replenishment at sea, and as ship hand for entering and leaving harbour. 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 routinely perform ship maintenance and repairs. During emergency procedures, they fight fires as members of a fire attack team, and provide damage control in the case of a breach to the hull. If necessary, a Naval Combat Information Operator may serve as a member of the naval boarding party in order to inspect the cargo of suspect vessels and detain the vessel’s crew during inspections.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, or through various training establishments across Canada from Esquimalt, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. One main goal of this course is to ensure all recruits maintain the CAF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding but achievable.

Naval recruits attend the Naval Fleet School either in Esquimalt, British Columbia, or Halifax, Nova Scotia, for approximately five weeks. Training includes the following topics:

• Naval history and organization
• Shipboard firefighting and damage control
• Shipboard safety
• Watchkeeping duties
• Seamanship

Naval Combat Information Operators attend either the Naval Fleet School Pacific in Esquimalt, British Columbia or the 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/check
• Internal and external communications technique
• Tactical display preparation set up and update
• 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

Available Specialty Training

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 the required ability and potential. Available courses include:

• Instructional techniques
• Ship’s team diver
• Ship’s team diving supervisor
• Naval boarding party
• Naval combat information operator Iroquois class classification
• Basic submarine qualification
• Naval combat information operator submarine qualification
• Submarine control room watch supervisor
• Global command control systems – maritime instructor

Available Advanced Training

Those who demonstrate the 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 courses

Required Education

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Direct Entry Officer Plan

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Naval Combat Information Operator, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call 1-800-856-8488.

Explore over 100 different career opportunities at www.forces.ca/en/careers.