Communication Reserve

Contact

Communication Reserve Headquarters
613-993-6372

Recruiting

Serving Members

Line Technician

What They Do

Communication Reserve Line Technicians (commonly known as Linemen) are responsible for providing the infrastructure for communications services between units in the field. This work includes (but is not limited to) designing, planning and installing telecommunications networks of copper and fiber-optic cable, and constructing and maintaining complex antenna systems. Because they work in operational areas, Line Technicians are also trained as combat soldiers.

Line Technicians have the following primary duties:

Operate specialized construction equipment such as backhoes, trenchers, pole and cable trailers;
Operate commercial and military-type vehicles in operational and non-operational environments;
Design, plan, construct, inspect and test overhead, underground and underwater communications cable routes for permanent bases and tactical location;
Use and maintain power tools such as power saws, pneumatic drills, hydraulic tools and cable pressurization equipment;
Plan, engineer, supervise, install and maintain permanent and tactical communication cable plants to support voice and data communications;
Operate communications test equipment such as optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs), time domain refectometers (TDRs), voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) testers and local area network (LAN) testers; and
When necessary, fight as an infantry soldier (includes use of personal weapons, reconnaissance and section-level tactics).

Qualification Requirements

Line Technicians require physical stamina, strength, good finger dexterity and eye-hand co-ordination. They must have a good memory, enjoy working with details and working in teams, and be capable of long periods of concentration. They also require good mathematical skills, and must be able to organize and schedule their own work. Line Technicians should also enjoy working with technical equipment, and be willing and able to assume additional responsibilities.

Training

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage of training for all members of the Communication Reserve is a 4-week Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course. This course is conducted full-time during the summer at the Communication Reserve School in Shilo Manitoba. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades, and is physically demanding. This course covers the following topics:

Policies and regulations of the Canadian Forces;
Basic safety procedures;
First aid;
Survival under field conditions;
Drill, dress and deportment;
Weapon handling and firing;
Cross-country navigation; and
Survival under nuclear, biological and chemical conditions.

Soldier Qualification

Upon successful completion of BMQ, Communication Reserve soldiers must complete the 4-week Soldier Qualification (SQ) course held at the Communication Reserve School in Shilo Manitoba; the course covers the following topics:

Dismounted offensive and defensive operations;
Reconnaissance patrolling;
Advanced weapons handling (working with grenades and machine guns); and
Individual field craft.

Basic Military Occupation Training

On complete of SQ, Line Technicians attend basic military occupation training at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) in Kingston, Ontario. This training is completed over 2 summers, encompassing 20 weeks in total. It covers the following material

Climbing telephone poles and towers;
Constructing telephone pole routes for suspending communication cables;
Laying communication cables in combat situations;
Using power saws, jack-hammers and compressors;
Connecting and operating a combat switchboard;
Installing and servicing combat telephones; and
Troubleshooting tactical and non-tactical line communication problems.

Advanced and Specialty Training

The career of a Communication Reserve Line Technician provides companionship, good pay, travel, trade skills, responsible positions and above all, job satisfaction. Personnel with proven abilities enjoy excellent opportunities for advanced training.

As their careers progress, Line Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and ambition will be offered (through formal courses or on-the-job training) the following training:

Quality Assurance;
Installation and Maintenance of Fibre Optics;
Design of inside cable plants;
Advanced Antenna Training; and
Instructional Techniques

Working Environment

The Communication Reserve Line Technician works primary with the Army. Depending on the geographical location, members may also serve with the Navy and Air Force elements. Both in training and on operations, Line Technicians do most of their work outdoors, where they may be exposed to extreme environmental and climatic conditions for extended periods without rest or shelter. Some of their work is done above the ground on towers and poles, and other duties are carried out in cramped and dirty places such as utility tunnels, attics, crawl spaces and manholes. Like other CF personnel Line Technicians may be required to live in cramped quarters when deployed on operations.

Communication Reserve Line Technicians work approximately one to two evenings a week and up to two weekends a month at their local unit. Once trained there are opportunities for full time employment with the Canadian Forces, either in Canada or deployed overseas, such as with an United Nations operation.

Related Civilian Occupations

Antenna Rigger;
Cable Installer;
Cable Splicer;
Line Installer-Repairer (Telecommunications); and
Line Technician.