Naval Combat Information Operator

As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, 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. They assist and advise the ship’s leadership in navigation, anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Primary duties include:

• 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 online fault diagnostic procedures
• Collect, correlate, record, analyse, display, and disseminate all tactical information
• Maintain classified logs and publications

At sea, Naval Combat Information Operators work mainly within the ship’s Operations Room with modern equipment. They participate in shipboard duties such as sentry or lookout, line handling for replenishment at sea, and harbour entry/exit. They take part in search and rescue, act as part of the ship’s emergency response team, and perform ship maintenance and repairs. In emergencies they may fight fires, provide damage control, and may serve on naval boarding parties as needed.

• Direct Entry Options

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

The first stage is Basic Military Qualification (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This course builds core skills and maintains CAF physical fitness standards. Naval Combat Information Operators attend Naval Fleet School Pacific (Esquimalt, BC) or Naval Fleet School Atlantic (Halifax, NS) for about 26 weeks to prepare 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 setup and updates
• 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 includes tactical network planning, sensor and intelligence information correlation, and leadership courses. Available courses include:

• Instructional techniques
• Ship’s team diver
• Ship’s team diving supervisor
• Naval boarding party
• Naval combat information operator qualifications
• Submarine qualification
• Naval combat information operator submarine qualification
• Submarine 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 for managing information networking and disseminating 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 Naval Fleet School in Esquimalt, BC, or Halifax, NS for about five weeks. Training topics include naval history and organization, shipboard firefighting and damage control, shipboard safety, watchkeeping duties, and seamanship.

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 a local unit, may be able to work while in school or in civilian jobs, and are paid during training. They are not posted or required to relocate; they can volunteer to relocate or deploy.

Naval Combat Information Operators serve with the Royal Canadian Navy and support naval operations involving maritime surveillance, navigation and search and rescue, and operate shipboard command and control systems. In part-time or casual full-time roles they usually serve at CAF home port locations within Canada.