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

[c_canuk]

At this point I think they are doing it on purpose, I think they're betting on how high they can drive the attrition rate before it all implodes. Paying some people but not others randomly just before guardian hit, then stopping until Guardian is "fixed" is all part of the machinations. I felt that brief bit of hope that I might be able to plug the leak in my savings that being posted to the NCR caused, just to have it dashed again with no ETA in sight...[/sarcasm]

Somehow, if this was affecting Officer's pay, I don't quite believe this would have gone on so long. I don't like thinking like that, but it is what it is.

[Zarack]

Sent: July-18-18 2:57 PM
To: Guardian
Subject: Re: Specialist Pay Update / Mise à jour - Solde de spécialisté
English text – French text follows
Texte anglais – texte français suit
Specialist Pay Update
The MPMCT Project and DHRIM staff have identified the underlying causes for the issue related to Specialist Pay. We have developed the solution and are presently testing the solution to confirm that it correctly resolves this issue. We hope to confirm that the problem is resolved by the end of this week (Friday 20 July). The moratorium on the entering of transactions affecting Specialist Pay will be lifted once the solution is confirmed as working. Look for a communication to this effect next week.

Mise à jour - Solde de spécialisté
Le projet TCGPM et le personnel du DIRHG ont identifié les causes sous-jacentes de la question liée à la rémunération spécialisté. Nous avons développé la solution et nous validons actuellement la solution pour confirmer qu'elle résout correctement ce problème. Nous espérons confirmer que le problème est résolu d'ici la fin de la semaine (vendredi 20 juillet). Le moratoire sur la saisie des transactions affectant la rémunération spécialisté sera levé une fois que la solution sera confirmée comme fonctionnant. Attendez-vous à une communication à cet effet la semaine prochaine.

So they found an error and testing a solution, sadly i'll be on leave next week to see what they have to say about it!

[Pre-flight]

So they found an error and testing a solution, sadly i'll be on leave next week to see what they have to say about it!

Excellent. It really feels like they are not lying to us this time!

[rmc_wannabe]

Excellent. It really feels like they are not lying to us this time!

Yes.... feels......

[alxthegr8t]

Hello,

I am currently in the process of becoming a Specialist in Communication and Information Systems. I am at the stage of making an appointment for my first test. I have 2 questions. First, I would like to have the opinion of a soldier who works / has work in the field to know how a day in this business is. I would like to hear what people on the ground have to say about this job. My second question is related to the fact that the profession is currently in demand by direct enrollment (which I did). To what extent does the CAF actively research trades that are "currently in demand"? I know it's rarely possible to set a wait, but if a trade is in demand, I guess the process has to be relatively faster than normal?

Thank you very much!

[ringo598]

Update:

To: +Guardian-Gardien-Communications@CMP MPMCT Proj@Ottawa-Hull <P-OTG.MPMCT-Communic@intern.mil.ca>
Subject: Re: Specialist Pay / Groupe de spécialisté

English text – French text follows

Texte anglais – texte français suit

The issue associated with Specialist Pay has been resolved. The moratorium for entering Specialist Pay is now lifted, and you may resume entering transactions for members in receipt of NCM specialist pay.

All Specialist Pay transactions previously submitted, that were held back from the CCPS to avoid issues with members’ pay, have been successfully processed.

[rmc_wannabe]

Update:

To: +Guardian-Gardien-Communications@CMP MPMCT Proj@Ottawa-Hull <P-OTG.MPMCT-Communic@intern.mil.ca>
Subject: Re: Specialist Pay / Groupe de spécialisté

English text – French text follows

Texte anglais – texte français suit

The issue associated with Specialist Pay has been resolved. The moratorium for entering Specialist Pay is now lifted, and you may resume entering transactions for members in receipt of NCM specialist pay.

All Specialist Pay transactions previously submitted, that were held back from the CCPS to avoid issues with members’ pay, have been successfully processed.

That's a bold strategy, Ringo. Let's see how it works for them. Especially when DMPAP stated all pay reviews were on hold until Fall  2018...

[Buck_HRA]

Hello,

I am currently in the process of becoming a Specialist in Communication and Information Systems. I am at the stage of making an appointment for my first test. I have 2 questions. First, I would like to have the opinion of a soldier who works / has work in the field to know how a day in this business is. I would like to hear what people on the ground have to say about this job. My second question is related to the fact that the profession is currently in demand by direct enrollment (which I did). To what extent does the CAF actively research trades that are "currently in demand"? I know it's rarely possible to set a wait, but if a trade is in demand, I guess the process has to be relatively faster than normal?

Thank you very much!

I am not an ACISS so cannot speak on the day to day work of an ACISS but I believe there are some siggies on here that can comment.

In regards to a "faster" file, short answer is no your file will not get preferential treatment and receive faster processing.  In Demand means that there are currently more openings for an occupation than the CAF has in the training system which creates an "In Demand" requirement.  What can/might happen is that once you reach the Competition List you will receive an offer faster than someone else who is applying for an occupation that is not "In Demand".

[mariomike]

I am currently in the process of becoming a Specialist in Communication and Information Systems. I am at the stage of making an appointment for my first test. I have 2 questions. First, I would like to have the opinion of a soldier who works / has work in the field to know how a day in this business is. I would like to hear what people on the ground have to say about this job.

I am not an ACISS so cannot speak on the day to day work of an ACISS but I believe there are some siggies on here that can comment.

See also,

Army Communication & Information Systems Specialists
https://army.ca/forums/index.php?topic=77029.850
75 pages.
 

[ringo598]

So, depends on what sub-occ you are interested in.

Remember, currently you join as an ACISS core, and then based on your performance/luck/abilities/desires/luck/whims of the gods, praise be to Hermes (For he is great and naked), you may get picked up into a sub-specialty, or you may not want to be a sub-occ and that's fine too.

Core:  You do radios, this is the 'stereotypical' radio operator.  Nowadays they also do tons of stuff like run CP's, signallers for different units, strategic comms, tactical comms, all kinds of stuff.  They are the versatile jack of all trades.  These are the people who usually get upset if you swear, or say "ack" or "repeat" on the net.

IST:  Uber-Nerd, servers and networks.  They get spec pay.  Sorta.  Kinda.  Long story.  They usually do red (Unencrypted) networks and manage servers, services, and other weird nerd stuff.  Some get into programming and development/project jobs, but its rare.

CST:  Uber-Nerd, they fix stuff, do vehicle installs, wiring, and that kind of thing.  In some places like JSR you'll do lots of black networks, satellites and stuff, in other places you're an electronics fixer-upper.  They are a wider net of stuff, but still very technical.  They also get spec pay.  Sorta.  Kinda.  Long Story.

LST:  These are lineman, they drink from boots.  They have secondary duties such as line work, towers, climbing, wiring.  They are a very physical trade and when not drinking are some of the hardest working people I know.  They are awesome.

That's the basic jist of things. 

Full Disclosure:  I'm an IST, and I have tour/garrison experience and I've only lost like...3 pieces of crypto in my career so far, maybe a radio or two.  Superstar you could say.

[renegade]

So much for a next update being in April. It's not like this was announced in Dec. or anything. 

[Zarack]

Indoc this week At CFSCE.
Just saw the new trade structures.

Sig Op, Line Tech and Sig Tech, from Pte to MWO.
4th Trade for CWO on top of all that.

[Thecamman]

I have BMQ coming up and I signed up for ACISS and I'm pretty eager to start since I've worked in telecom for the past 4 years and Have years of self-taught experience before that. I was going to go to IST specifically after reading what that's like in this thread. Or maybe something else. Who knows. Still too early to make thay decision.

At the time I did my research I knew there was some rift going on with ACISS but it seems to be worse than I thought. Is all this buggery going to be fixed soon? What are the plans?  How bad are things really? Either way, I'm excited. Ain't nothing gonna break my stride!

[PuckChaser]

The way technology is changing, all three trades need computer skills in varying degrees. To stay on the server end, work towards being an IST and when they firm up the new structure, you'll be given a chance to identify what trade you want to move to based on need, your current sub occupation, and your skillsets/preference.

[Thecamman]

Thanks! My work in telecom has mostly been all physical. I work for an ISP and do installs for phone, internet, and TV. Dealing with copper and fiber. Taking a second look, CST might be more relevant. I don't want to be a lineman though. Either way though good advice. I will find a sub-trade, stick with that until things get restructured.

Any other advice for a future sig?

[PuckChaser]

There are a lot of sour attitudes in the branch right now because of how ACISS was rolled out. Don't let them destroy your impression of the job. You will be expected to work hard and you will likely be undermanned for a lot of it. You will also not get a chance to do a lot of training where mistakes are easily fixed, as to properly train Signallers, you need a Combat Arm doing stuff with users on the network. They won't come out and just be OPFOR for you, they have their own training objectives and expect comms to work 100% of the time.

[Thecamman]

This is all pretty close to what I expected given what I read about the trade from other people. Thanks for the help and advice. Should be an exciting journey.