How Much Does Your Ruck Weigh in SigOp

[MasterOogway]

Hi,

So I've applied for the role of NCM reservist SigOp, I was considering the other more 'IT' trades, however the bulk of em are all closed. I asked several others and there's not much of a explanation, especially during some info sessions on the weight you carry. I've heard anywhere from 30-60 pounds on average, and it depends on your posting/role.

I have some other questions related to the trade, which I have not received an answer for:

• What does a traditional day look like?
• How much do you get baked from heat in tents during the summer?
• How might one take a class B deployment contract as a reservist for the CAF, and how soon from joining?
• Is it worth it to take sigop, then transfer to something like IST, or a possible drone operator role when it opens? Would ranks be retained?
• Is the work back breaking in the sense that you can break your back after some time in the army?
• How does it compare to the navy for RCN navcoms?
• Do we have to swim in the BMQ for the army, or is it just the navy?
• If we own a corporation registered in Canada, with it being in the tech industry, are there any conflicts of interest?

Thanks for any response in advance.

 

[Harris]

Hi,

So I've applied for the role of NCM reservist SigOp, I was considering the other more 'IT' trades, however the bulk of em are all closed. I asked several others and there's not much of a explanation, especially during some info sessions on the weight you carry. I've heard anywhere from 30-60 pounds on average, and it depends on your posting/role.

I have some other questions related to the trade, which I have not received an answer for:

• What does a traditional day look like?
• How much do you get baked from heat in tents during the summer?
• How might one take a class B deployment contract as a reservist for the CAF, and how soon from joining?
• Is it worth it to take sigop, then transfer to something like IST, or a possible drone operator role when it opens? Would ranks be retained?
• Is the work back breaking in the sense that you can break your back after some time in the army?
• How does it compare to the navy for RCN navcoms?
• Do we have to swim in the BMQ for the army, or is it just the navy?
• If we own a corporation registered in Canada, with it being in the tech industry, are there any conflicts of interest?

Thanks for any response in advance.

I wasn't a Sig Op, but I worked with a ton of them. And remember this is a Reserve Class A Sig Op description.

• What does a traditional day look like?
  • When not working Class A (Part Time), it looks like whatever you want it to. I recommend it include a bit of physical training or running, or weighted marches (Say 20lbs and work up to 80lbs) Being fit on course and at your job makes everything else easier.
  • When worling Class A it will typically be an evening and/or a weekend. Evenings are normally once a week on a specific day (depends on Unit which day) from 7PM to 10PM (note some units start a bit earlier and/or finish a bit later). A typical evening is a parade to pass on info, etc, then 3 periods of training in various things depending on the time of year and what the Unit is doing that month. finally a parade to again pass on any info and dismissal. Weekends are typically either 6AM to 6 PM if your doing classroom or garrison training. Field training can be the entire weekend with time to sleep at some point. How a weekend day goes it totally based on what the weekend is about.
• How much do you get baked from heat in tents during the summer?
  • Totally depends on where your course or exercise is. Generally (but not always) your courses are a combination of Field and Classroom. The field is as it says, in the field be it woods, swamp, plains etc... The Classroom work is usually in a standard classroom that may or may not have AC (depending on the age of the building) or outside in and around the vehicles the Sigs pers use. Sleeping is normally in a standard bed in Garrison and on the ground in a 2 person tent or 5-10 person tent (in the winter).
• How might one take a class B deployment contract as a reservist for the CAF, and how soon from joining?
  • They come up from time to time (either employment or deployments) and are dependent on skills and rank. Many also require a certain trade. When you see one advertised that fits you (https://mcsportal-portaillcm.forces.gc.ca/REO/en/index.aspx), you can apply through your Unit Chain of Command. Deployments are normally advertised at the Unit level and applying is the same.
• Is it worth it to take sigop, then transfer to something like IST, or a possible drone operator role when it opens? Would ranks be retained?
  • IMO, no. Many troops have gotten in as one trade, figured out they didn't like it, and remustered to another trade. But, depending on the trade and whatever remuster rules are in place at the time, you may not get to change trades in a timely manner. You are then stuck in a trade you never wanted. If you see a trade you want, the go for it is my advice. What rank you wear then you remuster depends on a lot of factors.
• Is the work back breaking in the sense that you can break your back after some time in the army?
  • Its the Army, not the Boy Scouts. There is absolutely a chance you could break your back. But, chances are slim. See my physical training point above. The fitter you are, generally the less injuries you experience.
• How does it compare to the navy for RCN navcoms?
  • It doesn't. The Navy and the Army are definitely two separate experiences. There my be some knowledge and skill overlap, but the experience is different.
• Do we have to swim in the BMQ for the army, or is it just the navy?
  • There is an Army swim test, but generally you only have to do it if you will be working around/on a body of water. Crossing a river on an assault boat for example. Generally however, Reservists aren't swimming much.
• If we own a corporation registered in Canada, with it being in the tech industry, are there any conflicts of interest?
  • That too depends. That are a number of rules about that. Feel free to review here.

Finally to answer your question in the title, in my experience, Sig Ops rarely lugged a rucksack outside of being attached to a Combat Arms Unit who were in the field for the weekend. If so it probably weighed up to 80lbs-100lbs. Generally, they lugged their kit in some sort of truck.

Happy to have an actual SigOp correct any of my observations.

 

[PuckChaser]

You're pretty on point, Harris. We carry rucksacks for PT and for various army combat fitness tests. It's not typical of a SigOp to act as a "Platoon or Company Signaler" which would involve following an infantry sub unit and carrying radios on top of normal survival gear and ammo/food.

If you train yourself physically, the work at times can be demanding but your body will handle it. A lot of the equipment we use is heavy so you need to be able to lift, move and manipulate it to achieve the mission.

For the "tents" question, our job is primarily outside in vehicles or tents providing communications support to the Army. That is our core function and the office work some units do are niche roles and should not be expected as the norm (sorry JSR/76 Comm Group). You will receive training on how to live, work and provide communications from an austere environment. We don't just throw folks outside and hope they survive.

Don't join SigOp to just transfer to another trade (or even trades that don't exist) unless you plan on being committed for a couple years. There is also no IST trade in the PRes (other than some folks that are former RegF) so unless you plan on joining the Regular Force, that door is closed.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Hi,

So I've applied for the role of NCM reservist SigOp, I was considering the other more 'IT' trades, however the bulk of em are all closed.

SigOp is a very cool trade. It will give you a very strong "army base", introduce you to a lot of people and knowledge, and open up doors for you. If and when you decide to switch to a more 'IT' trade a lot of people will respect that experience as a SigOp you gained when dealing with you.

 

[MasterOogway]

Thank you so much for the detailed response. My main gripe lies with the equipment's weight. Lugging around everything individually would be no small burden weighing you down. True, it would be important to be as fit as possible. I feel I could realistically do around 45 pounds without issues right now. However, my medical history may falter my application, despite contestation from a doctor, who would only agree if I go into a less intensive trade.

I reside in Quebec, if that makes much of a difference for a unit's PT schedule. I've already discussed alternatives with a recruiter in person if the problem arised, and he suggested the navy. That option presents a bit of an issue, as I have never learnt to swim. I was informed that swimming lessons are offered very early in the morning. Despite all this, I am unsure since I have a preference for land.

 

[brihard]

Your ruck will probably weigh about 0.4 to 0.6 SigOps.

 

[PuckChaser]

Your ruck will probably weigh about 0.4 to 0.6 SigOps.

Our preferred unit of measure is Magic card decks or Anime DVDs, but those are our words and it'd be cultural appropriation to use them.

 

[brihard]

Our preferred unit of measure is Magic card decks or Anime DVDs, but those are our words and it'd be cultural appropriation to use them.

Sorry. 70 tentacles. Am I allowed to say tentacles?