Communications Equipment Operators
Background
The ability to relay information between air, sea, and ground forces is critical in the military. The military has sophisticated communications systems that use a variety of technologies and telecommunications equipment such as radios, telephones, antennas, satellites, and complex security and network devices. Communications equipment operators use systems to transmit, receive, and decode messages at military locations throughout the world.
What They Do
Communications equipment operators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Encode and decode classified messages
- Monitor and respond to emergency calls
- Operate different types of telephone switchboards, satellite communications terminals, and network switches
- Set up and operate communications equipment and security equipment
- Transmit, receive, and log messages according to military procedures
Physical Demands
Normal color vision, normal hearing, and the ability to speak clearly and distinctly are required to enter some specialties in this career. Operators must often sit for long periods.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to remain calm in an emergency
- Interest in working with codes
- Interest in working with communications equipment
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- English
- Speech
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Communications equipment operators may work either indoors or outdoors, depending on the specialty. They may be assigned to ships, aircraft, land bases, or mobile field units.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of nine to 22 weeks of instruction, including practice with equipment.
Course content typically includes:
- Communications security
- Installation and usage of various types of communications equipment
- Message encoding and decoding
Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian communications equipment operators work in airports, harbors, police stations, fire stations, telephone companies, telegraph companies, and many businesses. They may also work aboard ships. Their duties are similar to duties assigned to military communications equipment operators, although civilian communications equipment operators do not usually work in field units. They may be called radio operators, telephone operators, communications center operators, or switchboard operators, depending on their specialty.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 40,000 communications equipment operators. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new operators due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, communications equipment operators prepare and send messages under supervision. With experience, they work more independently. In time, they may become supervisors of communications centers.