Army Communication & Information Systems Specialists (Sig Op, Lineman and LCIS Amalgamation)

[RADOPSIGOPACCISOP]

*sigh*...glad you got a "warm and fuzzy" because I just lost mine (along with my patience).  If we (the leadership) can't even show we're vested, even a little bit, how can we expect the troops to buy in, or care.  :facepalm:

...the situation that PC explains above is a good example of a "Manager", however it is a horrible example of a Leader.

Troop WO isn't really a manager. The Troop WO, to be technically speaking, isn't really in charge of that many people. Section commanders are the supervisors for most of the personnel in the troop, and they report to a platoon commander. The troop or platoon WO is generally the person in charge of discipline, administration and the operations of the troop/platoon. Sort of a troop level CSM, the adjt or troop level Ops cell.

We all should be familiar with how things works in real life, that the WO often more or less runs the troop, much like many CSMs, adjts and Ops cells run their units.

 

[Swingline1984]

Troop WO isn't really a manager...

A Platoon Commander's job (among other things) is to interpret higher's intent and issue direction to his subordinate leaders based on that intent to ensure it is realized i.e. to Command.  Yes, that direction is issued directly to the Section Commanders (NCOs), however on top of maintaining discipline etc. a Platoon Warrant Officer's job is to implement and follow up i.e. ensure that the work occurs and that the conduct of the work meets the directed intent, which is by definition management.  The Command Team concept allows for the Warrant Officer to offer advice or solutions based on experience, however the Platoon Commander is not beholden to that advice and can succeed or fail on his own merits; the Warrant Officer presenting a united front all the while.  I have noticed a disturbing trend in the Signals world both for the Officer's to stray too far into the weeds and for Junior Leaders to believe they hold more than the minor authority delegated to them.  But I digress, none of this has anything to do with the 'MES(S)' we're currently discussing.

 

[winterstorm35]

That letter sucked big time.... Harper needs the money.

 

[Avail]

A Platoon Commander's job (among other things)...

Thank you for the informative post, 1984. If I can pick your brain a little further...

What else would remain for the Troop/Platoon Commander that isn't handled by the Troop WO/CISTM?

Also, could the WO not handle the task of interpreting higher's intent? That's probably another discussion altogether, I suppose.

 

[C/S 0]

The Pl Comd (Lt/Capt) depending on the level of formation above him would also be responsible for the FIN side of the house having Section 32 or 34 levels of responsibility for spending money, managing a budget.

However at times WO's may also have FIN responsibilities.

Traditionally the Pl WO would be responsible for the administration and logistics of the Pl, manage the careers of his/her NCOs, advise the Pl Comd on technical aspects, ensure dress, deportment and discipline, and enable the Pl Comd (thru guidance and advice) to achieve his/her intent.

Before when the term 'Command Team' was used it referred to the partnership between a CO & RSM.  Not sure about the rest of the army but in signals the concept is now being pushed down to the Sqn level (OC & SSM) and the Pl/Tp level (Pl Comd / Pl WO).

The CFSCE course for CIS Tp WO now actually has a PO/discussion group as part of the formal course for the Command Team Concept. 

cheers   

 

[c_canuk]

From what I've observed is that the WO works on the immediate, while the Sig O is looking after the future.

As in the Sig O will be doing the leg work to find out what the upcomming requirements of his AOR will be and plans how to meet those challenges, and passing sitreps on his AORs current ability to fufill future requirements, while the WO carries out and guides the immediate fufillment of present requirements of the AOR.

ie the Sig O's focus is outside the AOR looking for what will come in, while the WO's focus is inside the AOR dealing with what's in there now.

 

[Carbon-14]

I'm not sure if I should post this here or in the Recruiting forum

I don't think it'll come as a shock to anyone that there are a lot of Reserve Sig Regts that are hurting for people but I'm sure there are some doing well.  I'm wondering if anyone has some success stories or suggestions for recruiting/attractions specifically for PRes ACISS.  Where are most units finding their recruits?

 

[mariomike]

I'm wondering if anyone has some success stories or suggestions for recruiting/attractions specifically for PRes ACISS.  Where are most units finding their recruits?

Four pages of Recruiting Event ideas and suggestions here. Perhaps you could have an ACISS Recruiting Event?

Recruiting Event Ideas 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/25372.0/nowap.html

Shopping malls and high schools would seem likely places to recruit ( with permission ).

"We are also attempting to post a person at CFRC -------."

I see the CAF Recruiting booth at the CNE every summer. Perhaps your area has something similar?

Also effective, but require a big budget:

Recruiting Posters, Slogans and Commercials [Merged]
http://army.ca/forums/threads/2276.0/nowap.html

 

[Carbon-14]

Mariomike,

Hugely appreciate the link to those threads.  High schools are a no-go for us right now.  A couple of the full time recruiters have told me you must be a qualified recruiter (or have a qualified recruiter present) on high school visits.  We've tried to get people on high profile events without success (ie In Edmonton we tried to send people to K-days but the event was being managed by Div and they only wanted LER's weapon display).  There is an opening on CFRC in Edmonton, but we're a small unit without anyone to send.

I've been contacting Computer Science / Engineering clubs at the local university with mixed results.  I'm not sure if a targeted approach is a good idea or not.

 

[mariomike]

I've been contacting Computer Science / Engineering clubs at the local university with mixed results.  I'm not sure if a targeted approach is a good idea or not.

You might also consider any colleges offering Emergency Telecommunications programs in your area. I am sure Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist would look very good on their resumes.

 

[Robert0288]

Technical colleges might be an idea as well.  Civy linemen, IT people, cellphone/telecoms guys.

 

[faivious]

If you are able to, certain Universities/College's have a strip of street/area where different clubs/groups/companies lay out a table for quick info sessions for bypassing students.
If you have the permission to partake in those, I think you might raise the eyebrow of a lot of uni/college students.

I'll be in the PRes ACISS 32 Sig Regt hopefully by the end of this year!

 

[Carbon-14]

Mariomike, Robert0288

Again, thanks for the recommendations.  I've started looking into your suggestions

Faivious,

Good luck!  ACISS has so many opportunities.  How did you found out about ACISS in the reserves?

 

[faivious]

I was researching some information on a trade I was interested in, and stumbled across ACISS job postings and read up on it from there.

 

[ixium]

I was researching some information on a trade I was interested in, and stumbled across ACISS job postings and read up on it from there.

I think that is the issue as well. Those types of people that are already on that career path like to look up information and know that the internet is the better source than anything "officially" posted.

When they stumble onto forums that have 50 pages in a thread about how the trade as a whole doesn't know its job it doesn't give them confidence.

I know if I personally saw that stuff I would turn the other way from this trade.

 

[FreeFloat]

Just catching up on this thread now, and I'm seeing references to a letter. Although I check my email daily, i haven't seen anything, despite the references to the letter being almost a month old now.

Background (gripe):  I'm  ACISS Core at the moment - I CTd over from Clerk but because I retained my rank of Cpl, no one has ever offered me any of the sub-occs and frankly, I'm not sure which I'd pick as there's aspects of each (including Core) which appeal to me, but I've never actually performed an OJT in any of them.

 

[211RadOp]

Just catching up on this thread now, and I'm seeing references to a letter. Although I check my email daily, i haven't seen anything, despite the references to the letter being almost a month old now.

PM me your DWAN e-mail address and I will forward it to you.

 

[PuckChaser]

Unit:
    CFJSR Kingston

Please tell me that you're hiding somewhere and that the Regt did pass this on to its troops....

 

[Old and Tired]

Some one will have to send me this Infamous letter, I keep hearing about it, but being as I'm currently employed outside the Sigs world (thank god) I haven't seen it.

 

[FreeFloat]

To be fair, I'm away from home atm on exercise - but as I do have some access to DWAN I would've expected to see it before now. My fault for not staying current in the army.ca forums.

P.S. 211RadOp pm sent & reply ack.