Vietnam -- Radio Operator

Below is the job description from the US Army recuriting site:

As one of the largest ground forces in the world, the U.S. Army needs to make sure that all forces can get the correct information. The Army communications maintenance team is responsible for making sure that all communications equipment is in top working order. This equipment allows the Army to track and direct troop, aircraft and watercraft movements.

Radio Operator-Maintainers are primarily responsible for all maintenance checks and services on assigned radio communication equipment. Some of your duties as a Radio Operator-Maintainer may include:

• Maintain, test and repair communication equipment and security devices
• Prepare and transmit messages
• Receive, record and process messages
• Operate and perform preventive maintenance checks on assigned equipment
• Install, operate and perform preventive maintenance checks on assigned power generators

• Requirements
• Training
• Helpful Skills
• Advanced Responsibilities
• Related Civilian Jobs
• Related Army Positions
• Civilian Certifications Earned

Requirements

Through your extensive Army training and experience, some additional study and two years of electronics experience, you'll have the opportunity to qualify for certification as an Associate Certified Electronics Technician.

 

Training

Job training for a Radio Operator-Maintainer requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction, including practice with equipment. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you learn are:

• Mechanical, electronic and electrical principles
• Preventive maintenance procedures
• Line installation and wiring techniques
• Communication security policies and procedures

Helpful Skills

Helpful attributes include:

• An interest in working with electrical, electronic and electromechanical equipment
• An interest in solving problems

Advanced Responsibilities

Advanced level Radio Operator-Maintainer provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Radio Operator-Maintainer, you may be involved in:

• Supervise and perform the operation of single channel AM radio, radio teletypewriter, Army Special Operations communications equipment or net control station assemblages
• Supervise and perform authorized maintenance on assigned equipment
• Control and use Signal Operating Instructions
• Implement communication security, operational security and physical security policies and procedures
• Recognize and implement electronic countermeasures

Related Civilian Jobs

The skills you learn as a Radio Operator-Maintainer will help prepare you for a future with civilian companies that design and make communications and electronic equipment or with the federal government. You'll be qualified to work as a communications equipment repairer, radio repairer, radio mechanic, teletype repairer or station installer/repairer, depending on your specialty.