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, they assist and advise the ship’s leadership in navigation, anti‑air warfare, anti‑surface warfare and anti‑submarine warfare.

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

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, they experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with work at sea.

In addition to operational duties, they perform out‑of‑occupation tasks such as sentry or lookout duty, line handler for replenishment at sea, and 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 event of hull breach.

They may also serve as a member of the naval boarding party to inspect cargo of suspect vessels and detain the vessel’s crew during inspections.

Regular Force operators receive full training and may be assigned to any naval base;
Primary Reserve operators work part‑time at a local Reserve unit, normally one night per week and some weekends, with full‑time opportunities depending on unit requirements.

Entry plans

Direct Entry Options – No previous work experience or career‑related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help determine suitability based on personal interests and attributes.

The minimum required education to apply is completion of the 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. Following that, 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

Additional training in tactical network planning, sensor and intelligence information correlation, personnel management and leadership is available for those who demonstrate the required ability and potential. 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

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

Operations and exercise planning – tactical procedures

S…