Ham radio - PLAR for sig ops possible ?

[Sigprospect]

Hi all,

I have been expressing interest in HAM RADIO over the past years and got my license, but I am not very active.

With the changing recent landscape, I am more interested in joining the CAF as an sig operator. However, I wonder if amateur radio experience and courses/certificates would allow me to PLAR some of the training topics on DP1 or BMQ for new recruits.

Anyone able to assist on this ?

Thanks

 

[PuckChaser]

No. It would basically only write off a week of training for Signal theory, maybe, so its not even worth submitting. HAM will do nothing for BMQ.

 

[Sigprospect]

Thanks appreciate the info, I was afraid this could be the case.

Will there be any education available for civilians to allow PLAR as SigOps ? Just wondering what could be a strong new recruit application and possibly expedite graduation or career progression/development.

 

[PuckChaser]

Thanks appreciate the info, I was afraid this could be the case.

Will there be any education available for civilians to allow PLAR as SigOps ? Just wondering what could be a strong new recruit application and possibly expedite graduation or career progression/development.

No, a lot of the equipment we use is military off the shelf and has no civilian equivalent. At best you'd be PLAR for parts of a course which is generally meaningless as they'll make you complete them with the remainder of your course anyways.

Don't rush your training. Its a fraction of what you will do when you hit "the real world" (line units) anyways. If you are already comfortable with the topic then help your coursemates and you'll be able to focus on material thats more difficult.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

But he would probably be the only SigOp that can still do Morse code.

 

[Sigprospect]

Thanks for the reply, this is a very mature way into looking at the topic.

I am currently working on some education around satellite comms, I do hold a degree in CC and some cyber sec certs.

I have been strongly advise to show up with a competitive resume and don’t throw away any prior education as it would work in my benefit. This is coming as a general advice, but I guess I never looked into things like you pinpoint.

I really appreciate your opinion.

 

[PuckChaser]

I really appreciate your opinion.

Sounds like you have a strong resume already. We are one of the most understaffed but in demand trades in the CAF, you made a good choice.

 

[Sigprospect]

Fingers are crossed.
I will be soon working on my application and hope all turns well.

it is an exciting time of my life, I can tell.

Thanks again for the quick response on the clarification.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

But he would probably be the only SigOp that can still do Morse code.

IIRC, morse code is no longer a requirement for your licence.

 

[cyber_lass]

Thanks for the reply, this is a very mature way into looking at the topic.

I am currently working on some education around satellite comms, I do hold a degree in CC and some cyber sec certs.

I have been strongly advise to show up with a competitive resume and don’t throw away any prior education as it would work in my benefit. This is coming as a general advice, but I guess I never looked into things like you pinpoint.

I really appreciate your opinion.

Why sig ops? Not even sure if they are spec. But they are affectionately known as infantry with radios. Why not cyber, sig int, sig tech, ist or atis? Sig op, from friends who were and ot to more technical trades, tell way more army than radios and tech. I get to do fun things, no can't elaborate. But get to flex my tech skills everyday in a chill environment. Treated like an adult, but adult with a government tech fund. Lol.

 

[Ludoc]

Hello, I'm a Sig Op.

The training is going to focus on a lot of Army specific stuff so there isn't really much you can PLAR. Don't despair though, the types of education and certs you mentioned will make you a better Sig Op. The intial trades training will introduce you to Army communications and then we will specialize you later on. Having base knowledge to build on, especially in fields like cyber security and HF radio, will go a long way to making you more useful and employable further on in your career.

The best advice I can give on how to prepare and get through the training system quickly is: be fit. You don't need to be an olympic athlete but have a base level of strength and cardio. The first part of your career (basic training, most likely the new soldier first course, and trades training) will all have mental, intellectual, and physical challenges. If you are struggling with all three, it will be very hard. Reducing the physical challenging aspects of the courses will help "unload" you so you can better face the other challenges.

Lastly, don't worry too much about the strength of your application. The Signal Corps is currently short of people. Additionally, the Army has a plan to grow, which means we will need more Signallers even if we weren't short. So there are lots of spots open for keen individuals that want to join us.

Good luck in recruiting, we are here waiting for you to join the team.

 

[PuckChaser]

Why sig ops? Not even sure if they are spec. But they are affectionately known as infantry with radios. Why not cyber, sig int, sig tech, ist or atis? Sig op, from friends who were and ot to more technical trades, tell way more army than radios and tech. I get to do fun things, no can't elaborate. But get to flex my tech skills everyday in a chill environment. Treated like an adult, but adult with a government tech fund. Lol.

You have no idea what you're talking about, stay in your lane.

 

[OldSolduer]

Sig Ops are not “infantry with radios”.

For the most part infantry carry and operate their own radios - and the Sig Ops man and run the battalion CP. Or at least that’s the way it was.

 

[cyber_lass]

You have no idea what you're talking about, stay in your lane.

Ok. Lol.

 

[cyber_lass]

Sig Ops are not “infantry with radios”.

For the most part infantry carry and operate their own radios - and the Sig Ops man and run the battalion CP. Or at least that’s the way it was.

Yes, I know they do more. Have friends in the trade, and friends who are ex sig ops abd otd to other trades. It is description I have heard from said friends.

 

[PuckChaser]

Ok. Lol.

One of us is a SigOp with decades of experience both in Canada and deployed and the other is a CyberOp that until last year wanted to delete their account due to security reason and now mentions their security clearance casually in posts and has less than 4 minutes years in the CAF and C&E Branch. I can almost guarantee that I have more time deployed in my trade than you have in the CAF can as a senior leader in the RCCS I can describe both your job and the SigOp trade in classified and unclassified domains far more accurately than you are capable of as a junior Corporal with probably less than 2 years out of the training system.

You can kind of stow the holier-than-thou attitude about trades as the C&E Branch and RCCS don't need uniformed stereotypes that you're propagating as we try to recruit and retain folks in 5 trades that are absolutely the most in-demand occupations in the CAF and modern battlespace.

 

[cyber_lass]

One of us is a SigOp with decades of experience both in Canada and deployed and the other is a CyberOp that until last year wanted to delete their account due to security reason and now mentions their security clearance casually in posts and has less than 4 minutes years in the CAF and C&E Branch. I can almost guarantee that I have more time deployed in my trade than you have in the CAF can as a senior leader in the RCCS I can describe both your job and the SigOp trade in classified and unclassified domains far more accurately than you are capable of as a junior Corporal with probably less than 2 years out of the training system.

You can kind of stow the holier-than-thou attitude about trades as the C&E Branch and RCCS don't need uniformed stereotypes that you're propagating as we try to recruit and retain folks in 5 trades that are absolutely the most in-demand occupations in the CAF and modern battlespace.

Wow. Ok.. Got it. Been in longer than 4 years. But ok. Sorry I touched a nerve. It is ok. No worries. I admire anyone that wants to serve, especially in understaffed trades. Sorry you were so offended. Guess my meaningless service will never stand up to yours. I didn't join for anything other than serving my country. Suppose that is hollier than thou.

And no, you don't know more about my job or trade than I do. Been working in the space for a very long time. You are making lots of assumptions. I was also a senior leader before I joined.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Cyberlass,

You were unnecessarily flippant (and wrong) about what Sig Ops do for a living.

What you do is valuable to the CAF, as well.

Just let it go.

 

[OldSolduer]

But he would probably be the only SigOp that can still do Morse code.

When the Apocalypse hits people that can do Morse code will be invaluable.
When my Sigs buddies had to do Morse tests for WPM some just dreaded it.