CIS Specialist - what does it involve?

[phil1972]

Janner, such a spoil sport, you will be telling us you cant buy a commission next!

 

[janner]

Orcifers is different Phil, I knew several in my time that must have bought theirs.

 

[SouthLancsLad]

CIS specialists can be on both Surface Ships and Submarines, my boat is the first to pilot the system in the SM service. You'll be expected to be a communicator first, so lining up circuits in the Comms Office /WT Shack will be your bread and butter when on watch and if you are on surface ships you may spend a lot of time on the bridge being the duty communicator for the Officer of the Watch. Once you move up to Leading hand you will be expected to be the Navystar Administrator, (a Windows network used for administration onboard), and assistant CSS administrator (a UNIX/Windows hybrid network used for operational planning and a seriously important piece of kit). Once you are PO(CISSM) you'll be MCO/ WT Office Manager, and CSS Administrator, senior communications rating onboard (if on a SM or frigate/destroyer).
On an SM administratively you're part of the WE department rather than warfare, and your DO will be a Junior WE officer (CISE) CIS Engineer.
Sorry, can't answer for surface ships!
hope that's of some assistance

Thanks alot, that's helpful.

Anyone with any knowledge about the role on surface ships?

 

[pinky_faggot]

SLL,
It's pretty much the same in the surface world, although the CIS branch look like they're going to be part of the Weapon Engineering branch of the future - the Officers already are!! On a Frigate / Destroyer, you'll mainly be working in the MCO operating the various IS comms systems, tuning circuits dealing with signal traffic etc. As you get to PO(CIS), you'll be running the office and have a hell of a lot of IT experience - unfortunately, little is transferable to civvy street!!
Good Luck all the same.

PF

 

[SouthLancsLad]

SLL,
It's pretty much the same in the surface world, although the CIS branch look like they're going to be part of the Weapon Engineering branch of the future - the Officers already are!! On a Frigate / Destroyer, you'll mainly be working in the MCO operating the various IS comms systems, tuning circuits dealing with signal traffic etc. As you get to PO(CIS), you'll be running the office and have a hell of a lot of IT experience - unfortunately, little is transferable to civvy street!!
Good Luck all the same.

PF

Thanks for the reply PF

With regards not much of the experience being transferable to Civvy Street - would I perhaps have better employability when I leave if I joined the Army as an Information Systems Engineer instead of the Navy?

 

[FlagWagger]

SLL,
It's pretty much the same in the surface world, although the CIS branch look like they're going to be part of the Weapon Engineering branch of the future - the Officers already are!! On a Frigate / Destroyer, you'll mainly be working in the MCO operating the various IS comms systems, tuning circuits dealing with signal traffic etc. As you get to PO(CIS), you'll be running the office and have a hell of a lot of IT experience - unfortunately, little is transferable to civvy street!!

Experience of managing a data network, the administration of IS applications, exposure to IT Security and managing people are all readily transferrable skills. Just becuase civvy street doesn't use, for example, CSS, does not mean your CSS admin skills are wasted - the basic principles remain the same and will be useful.

 

[ANGWISH]

Orcifers is different Phil, I knew several in my time that must have bought theirs.

Uses to be they saved up the backs of cornflake packets :razz:

 

[fails_as_is]

running Navystar will give you experience of managing a windows network, connected to the outside world, via satellite / land line, through Cisco routers (very transferrable skill). Running CSS will expose you to UNIX systems again through routers, (particularly transferrable to civvy street). Not to mention the people skills, management, administration and leadership training you get in the Navy. I think you'll be a very good prospect for any employer.

 

[amazonian]

Do any of you guys that are either in the process of joining, or already in job, have an idea of the recruitment timescales involved for CIS specialist. I heard something about a waiting list and I am hoping this isn't too long.

 

[SouthLancsLad]

I've got my test this week so I'll ask them about timescales then (I suppose I'm being a bit presumptious that I'll get a good enough score, fingers crossed :grin: )

Thanks FW and FAI for adding your opinions on employability

 

[amazonian]

I've got my test this week so I'll ask them about timescales then (I suppose I'm being a bit presumptious that I'll get a good enough score, fingers crossed :grin: )

Thanks FW and FAI for adding your opinions on employability

Good luck with the test mate. Let me know how you get on.

 

[SouthLancsLad]

Do any of you guys that are either in the process of joining, or already in job, have an idea of the recruitment timescales involved for CIS specialist. I heard something about a waiting list and I am hoping this isn't too long.

Decided to go for CT so didn't get the chance to ask about waiting list for CIS Specialist, sorry mate.