WEBVTT 00:00:04.462 --> 00:00:07.257 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% I'm Lieutenant Sean Minckler, from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland - 00:00:07.257 --> 00:00:10.301 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% a Signals Officer with 5 Headquarters & Signals Squadron, Valcartier. 00:00:15.849 --> 00:00:20.645 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% To a modern fighting force, information is as essential as ammunition. 00:00:20.645 --> 00:00:24.941 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% Battle orders, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition 00:00:24.941 --> 00:00:29.195 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% for our deployed forces depend on a secure, fail-safe network 00:00:29.195 --> 00:00:32.824 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% delivering real-time information, day or night. 00:00:32.824 --> 00:00:36.286 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:83% Signal Officers design, develop and implement the next generation 00:00:36.286 --> 00:00:40.415 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% of information technology for the Canadian Armed Forces. 00:00:40.415 --> 00:00:43.251 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% They work in tactical settings and at strategic levels 00:00:43.251 --> 00:00:46.588 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:110% to support Army operations around the world. 00:00:46.588 --> 00:00:50.425 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% They form the bridge between the technical and tactical sides of Army communications. 00:00:51.134 --> 00:00:56.222 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% It's not our job to actually install the cable or fix the radio or anything like that. 00:00:56.222 --> 00:00:59.642 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% Our job is very much the planning and the administration 00:00:59.642 --> 00:01:02.937 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% and the care-for of the troop or what you're in charge of. 00:01:06.232 --> 00:01:09.986 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% Signal Officers lead teams of highly trained technical experts - 00:01:09.986 --> 00:01:11.446 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:48% Signal Technicians, 00:01:11.446 --> 00:01:12.781 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:43% Signal Operators, 00:01:12.781 --> 00:01:14.491 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:78% Information Systems Technicians 00:01:14.491 --> 00:01:16.117 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:55% and Line Technicians - 00:01:16.117 --> 00:01:20.705 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% in the design, installation and operation of complex voice and data networks 00:01:20.705 --> 00:01:25.210 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% on bases across Canada as well as on operations around the world. 00:01:25.210 --> 00:01:28.213 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:73% That includes satellite links and computer networks; 00:01:28.213 --> 00:01:31.883 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% radio, wireless, and hard-wired voice communications; 00:01:31.883 --> 00:01:36.471 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% and classified, coded transmissions that connect commanders and combat troops 00:01:36.471 --> 00:01:38.890 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:123% in some of the most remote regions on the planet. 00:01:39.891 --> 00:01:43.061 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% It's kind of like a huge puzzle: deciding who needs what information when, 00:01:43.061 --> 00:01:44.854 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:88% and doing our best to make it work. 00:01:45.563 --> 00:01:48.441 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:103% Command and control is what wins battles. 00:01:48.441 --> 00:01:52.195 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% Without it, soldiers won't have the information they need to do their jobs effectively. 00:01:52.862 --> 00:01:54.989 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:113% Like the artillery say: "no comms, no bombs." 00:01:56.783 --> 00:01:59.077 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% If you can't talk to each other, nobody can coordinate; 00:01:59.077 --> 00:02:02.121 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% people that are fighting beside each other won't know who's beside them, 00:02:02.121 --> 00:02:03.998 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:73% and everything becomes chaos. 00:02:12.048 --> 00:02:15.093 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% The coolest part of my job is definitely interacting with the troops. 00:02:15.093 --> 00:02:17.679 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:115% Their amount of knowledge is just incredible - 00:02:17.679 --> 00:02:22.517 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% they can show you exactly how their job is done and have a relaxed conversation. 00:02:22.517 --> 00:02:26.980 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% The guys are always coming up with new stories of how they were able to solve a problem, 00:02:26.980 --> 00:02:30.608 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% always coming up with new ideas, new technology that they want to implement. 00:02:30.608 --> 00:02:32.318 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:98% Every day, I'm more and more impressed. 00:02:39.450 --> 00:02:43.788 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% After completing training requirements, Signal Officers are posted to a signal troop 00:02:43.788 --> 00:02:47.000 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:123% or platoon at one of four brigades across Canada, 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:50.420 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% where they lead troops of up to 30 highly trained personnel. 00:02:50.420 --> 00:02:55.675 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% Reservists fulfill the same role in 23 different Army Reserve Signal units across the country. 00:02:56.801 --> 00:03:00.722 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% Signal Officers are responsible for the planning, testing and implementation 00:03:00.722 --> 00:03:05.935 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% of highly technical systems to ensure the Army has reliable communications. 00:03:05.935 --> 00:03:09.397 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% That could mean establishing an IT network in a deployed setting, 00:03:09.397 --> 00:03:11.900 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% advancing the Army's cyber capabilities, 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:15.653 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% or working in Electronic Warfare or Signals Intelligence. 00:03:15.653 --> 00:03:19.157 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:83% Being a successful Signal Officer means embracing challenges 00:03:19.157 --> 00:03:22.911 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% to solve complex problems, being flexible, and imaginative. 00:03:22.911 --> 00:03:27.916 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% An understanding of information technology is critical, as are strong communication skills. 00:03:28.416 --> 00:03:32.795 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% To be good as a Signals Officer, it just takes a lot of time, patience and understanding. 00:03:32.795 --> 00:03:35.548 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% A lot of people definitely don't have a technical background, even myself, 00:03:35.548 --> 00:03:39.427 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% a background in computer science will not get me 100% of the way there. 00:03:39.427 --> 00:03:41.846 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% It's a lot of learning, it's a lot of being able to absorb, 00:03:41.846 --> 00:03:44.182 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% adapt and overcome to the situations presented. 00:03:52.565 --> 00:03:55.860 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% It's definitely a big responsibility, but honestly I like it - 00:03:55.860 --> 00:03:57.862 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:65% that's sort of the reason why I joined the military. 00:03:57.862 --> 00:04:01.324 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% I didn't join the military to have that 9-to-5. 00:04:01.324 --> 00:04:05.578 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% If you're seeking a job that's thrilling, you get to see the world, 00:04:05.578 --> 00:04:09.540 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% but also has that technical background, I would highly suggest the Signals Officer.