Hello, I am interested in joining the reserve force as I think it will be great experience while I attend university. I will be taking Aerospace Engineering in the Fall of 2010, and am just wondering which trade would offer me more experience within my field? I am interested in pursuing a career within communication, specifically satellite communication (although it's still early to say where I'll end up). From what I've read Comm Rsch will be more towards the usage of communication, where as Sig Ops would be more the technician side of things (from what I understand, Sig Ops will be amalgamated with two other trades which will be more of a generic communication technician trade). I am located in Ottawa, and have already spoke to both a recruiter and the regiment with which I am interested on joining with although they both praised both trades. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
Sig Ops vs Comm Rsch vs Others?
- Thread starter Vires
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Thanks for the quick answer. Yeah, I realize that neither are the ideal trade given the field I'm going into, but at the same time there is only so many reserve force trades available in Ottawa. From what I gathered these two trades are the closest I can get (I'm thinking dealing with the equipment I may learn theory about later on in school). Also I am planning on doing more the electronics side of Aerospace (i.e. avionics, navigations, and communications), as oppose to the mechanical side.
Vires said:
There are only so many reserve trades period. Air reserve avionics tech might be awesome, but...
You *might* get some time with air-ground-air radios as a reservist sig op. UHF.
Will it hurt? No. Making some cash in a part-time job could help get you through ground school and do some flight training. Being familiar with avionics and flight navigation by being a recreational pilot might be helpful. Being comm research? Go to the unit and talk to the comm research guys
But your comments in the original post about the comms trades are completely out to lunch and you're not going to get any significant overlap between aerospace engineering and rerservist trades training.
Do some research on the trades. Sig op is *NOT* a technician trade. Comms research is *not* "more towards the usage of communication". Do the research. If you've got specific questions, ask.
Sat comms for a reservist are going to be "set up the storm terminal, try to get a good line of sight to the satellite, and call up the other guy". It's not going to be all that complementary to an advanced academic specialization in sat comms, but I guess it wouldn't hurt.
It's great that you've talked to the recruiter, but try spending some more time with the unit. Talk to folks from both trades, particularly ones who have re-mustered to another trade (eg. comm research to sig op) about why they left. Right now, it sounds like you're only hearing what you want to hear.
hotei
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Well, COMM RSCH (00120) does deal in sat comms, but there is one thing you may wish to consider before taking the plunge to become a rubberhead.
The COMM RSCH trades training is broken down into two phases. QL3 phase one deals in pretty generic theory in math, computers and communications, and typing. It is your QL3 phase II which gets into the nitty gritty of the job. However before you can start phase II, you have to obtain a level III SA security clearance. This can take anywhere from 6 months, to (from personal experience) 4 years (that was an extreme case). It is very likely that by the time you complete your degree, you *might* have access to your sec clearance to continue training.
As a sig op, you can deal in a number of areas. You can do the "infanteer with a radio" role, though I have been told getting into these positions is rare straight out of training. You can deal in various secure comms, and there are some technician jobs available doing things such as IT support. From what I have heard come down the pipe, they have stopped Sig Op training until they can reconfigure the training. One thing to note as well though, from what I have heard (take with a thorough dose of granular salt) but the new training system will admit people in one role, and when it comes time to specialize, it is the army, not the individual that will determine the next type of training. IE, you might not get Sig Op, but perhaps lineman if that is where the priority lies.
Just food for thought.
The COMM RSCH trades training is broken down into two phases. QL3 phase one deals in pretty generic theory in math, computers and communications, and typing. It is your QL3 phase II which gets into the nitty gritty of the job. However before you can start phase II, you have to obtain a level III SA security clearance. This can take anywhere from 6 months, to (from personal experience) 4 years (that was an extreme case). It is very likely that by the time you complete your degree, you *might* have access to your sec clearance to continue training.
As a sig op, you can deal in a number of areas. You can do the "infanteer with a radio" role, though I have been told getting into these positions is rare straight out of training. You can deal in various secure comms, and there are some technician jobs available doing things such as IT support. From what I have heard come down the pipe, they have stopped Sig Op training until they can reconfigure the training. One thing to note as well though, from what I have heard (take with a thorough dose of granular salt) but the new training system will admit people in one role, and when it comes time to specialize, it is the army, not the individual that will determine the next type of training. IE, you might not get Sig Op, but perhaps lineman if that is where the priority lies.
Just food for thought.
yeah, hotai, I know for a fact that they haven't stopped the Trg for Sig Ops, there's gonna be at least one this summer that I know of
I vote you go sig ops, but I might be slightly biased
763 Communications is an excellent regiment (once again, I might be biased) and whether you choose Sigs or Comms, just remember this:
-it can be a pain to transfer units/study in a different city, so figure out if you're going to Carleton or uO next year for your aerospace, if not when you join make it clear where you are going for university to your Chain of Command ASAP
-BMQ during the school year can be tricky (I have BMQ this weekend and an exam Monday morning)
these would be more important to consider before trade IMO, tbh quite a few guys I know are in trades completely irrelevant to their own fields of study as well, even myself, I'm going to become a sig op, and I'm studying Psychology (not that there are really any army trades relevant to my field to begin with lol)
I vote you go sig ops, but I might be slightly biased
763 Communications is an excellent regiment (once again, I might be biased) and whether you choose Sigs or Comms, just remember this:
-it can be a pain to transfer units/study in a different city, so figure out if you're going to Carleton or uO next year for your aerospace, if not when you join make it clear where you are going for university to your Chain of Command ASAP
-BMQ during the school year can be tricky (I have BMQ this weekend and an exam Monday morning)
these would be more important to consider before trade IMO, tbh quite a few guys I know are in trades completely irrelevant to their own fields of study as well, even myself, I'm going to become a sig op, and I'm studying Psychology (not that there are really any army trades relevant to my field to begin with lol)
hotei
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Jammer,
Not trying to interfere. Having heard from other trainees (hence the reason I mentioned the "grain of salt" comment) I had heard that the sig op training was ceasing with either this class or the next. If this is in error, I apologize, but again, this is why I mentioned it was but a mere rumour.
I do, however, know for a fact that the training is being merged. Passed that, only the head guys at CFSCE et al know anything more.
-Hotei
Not trying to interfere. Having heard from other trainees (hence the reason I mentioned the "grain of salt" comment) I had heard that the sig op training was ceasing with either this class or the next. If this is in error, I apologize, but again, this is why I mentioned it was but a mere rumour.
I do, however, know for a fact that the training is being merged. Passed that, only the head guys at CFSCE et al know anything more.
-Hotei
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