Comms officer?

[maverik]

I was wondering what a Comms officer actually does. Common sense says stuff to due with radios but what is that person do? Can a cadet fullfill the role?

[JayT]

I was wondering what a Comms officer actually does. Common sense says stuff to due with radios but what is that person do? Can a cadet fullfill the role?

20-1 is your friend.

[JoeTomasone]

The Communications Officer has a few jobs - as mentioned, 20-1 will give you an idea of some of the responsibilities.   From a practical perspective, the Communications Officer:

1.  Maintains the CEMS (Communications Equipment Management System) account for the Unit.  CEMS keeps track of all non-expendable communications assets -- essentially, all the radios.   The Comms Officer processes equipment transfers and any other changes that are required.

2.  Prepares and submits the S-8 for the Unit (Communications Accountability Report -- do you still have all that gear we think you have?) and ensures that every individual who is issued comm gear completes an individual S-8 once a year.

3.  Advises the Commander on Communications issues - which can include where equipment should be issued and/or rescinded, when and how Nets are run, etc.   Also develops Communications plans for the unit.

4.  Other duties as delegated by higher HQ Communications Staff, such as repeater "maintenance" - making sure the repeater is in working order, etc.


Some Communications Officers are techie types and also take on the role of "radio troubleshooter" -- resolving minor issues and determining when gear requires repair/replacement through Wing.    Some are more administrative.  

[Eclipse]

By regulation, Cadets are not allowed to serve in any unit staff positions - they may serve as "assistants" to those positions.

The other issue is the the Comm officer is legally liable for the radio equipment in that squadron or echelon, and most wings will not allow a cadet to accept the responsibility, nor can they sign the contract in most states (depending on age).

[RADIOMAN015]

Here's what I do:
1.  Check out the rechargable batteries to the portables weekly, and if it need recharging the equipment goes home with me for battery reconditioning recharging.
2.  Check out the squadron base radio station, via just access checks to the 6 CAP repeaters we can hit.  Additionally check into 2  wings' administrative nets.
3.  Train new radio operators -- We can teach the basic orientation course, and my goal is to train everyone.  (Priority now is to seniors ES, and cadets involved in ES program).
4.  Give new radio operators (operators in training) a chance to operate all the radios.  (Important to give all exposure to operating all the equipment.) 
5.  Make sure all the radio, DF, & DF simulator equipment is accounted for (we utilize a central storage facility at our squadron headquarters, which is on a military base  -- it's easy to make sure all the equipment is there.
6.  Work with the Squadron ES Officer to plan & implement training exercises.  (We basically have much of the base to ourselves, so even nighttime exercises are possible).
7.  Keep the commander & entire staff advised on current & upcoming communcations issues & any changes to procedures.
8.  Try to motivate both cadets & seniors into a stronger interest in radio communications, including as a hobby (amateur radio) as well as typical radio scanner monitoring (especially aviation frequencies).
RM    

[billford1]

As  a CUL SAR activity keeps me pretty busy. There's the matter of maintaining net discipline by making sure everybody is kept in touch with at mission base. We require a regular checkin usually with location reporting. We look at location of mobile radios and repeater stations to assure there are few or no dead spots where folks cant be reached. We check the antenna installation in vehicles to assure proper performance. Oh yes, batteries. There's lots to consider. Yes we are eager to find interested Cadets to pitch in. They can prove to be very helpful.