Navy Rating · Combat & Infantry

OS Operations Specialist

Overview

Operations Specialists advise on shipboard warfare operations and navigation while maintaining Combat Information Center and Combat Direction Center displays. They operate surveillance radars, communications and identification equipment, evaluate tactical situations, and distribute information across warfare and search and rescue operations.

Core Skills

  • radar operation and interpretation
  • tactical data analysis
  • situational awareness
  • command and control support
  • plotting and tracking
  • radio and voice communications
  • reporting and logging
  • multi-tasking under pressure
  • procedural compliance
  • briefing and communication skills

Civilian Software & Tools

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Word

Civilian Career Paths

  • Emergency Management
  • Project Management
  • Telecommunications

Training & Development

Getting Started

  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) · Funded
  • General Communications Technician: Level 1 (GCT1) · Funded
  • FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) · Funded

Career Growth

  • General Communications Technician: Level 2 (GCT2)
  • GMDSS Radio Maintainer License (DM)
  • Amateur Radio Service Operator License: Amateur Extra Class · Funded

What the Work Involves

  • Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
  • Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
  • Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
  • Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
  • Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.

Related Occupations

  • Commercial Pilots
  • Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  • Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
  • Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.

Defense contractor jobs for OS

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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