As one of the largest ground forces in the world, the U.S. Army needs to make sure that all forces can get the correct information. The Army communications maintenance team is responsible for making sure that all communications equipment is in top working order. This equipment allows the Army to track and direct troop, aircraft and watercraft movements.

Signal Support Systems Specialists are primarily responsible for working with battlefield Signal support systems and terminal devices. Some of your duties as a Signal Support Systems Specialist may include:

• Maintain selected electronic devices
• Install, operate and maintain designated radio and data distribution systems
• Perform signal support functions
• Provide technical assistance and training for user owned and operated automated telecommunication computer systems
• Provide technical assistance and training for local area networks and routers; signal communications and support electronic equipment and satellite radio and communications equipment
• Install, maintain and troubleshoot signal support equipment and terminal devices
• Operate and perform preventive maintenance checks and services on assigned vehicles and power generators

Job training for a Signal Support Systems Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 18 weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction, including practice with equipment. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

• Mechanical, electronic and electrical principles
• Preventive maintenance procedures
• Line installation and wiring techniques
• Communication security policies and procedures

Helpful attributes include:

• An interest in working with electrical, electronic and electromechanical equipment
• An interest in solving problems

Advanced level Signal Support Systems Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains Soldiers within the same discipline. As an Advanced level Signal Support Systems Specialist, you may be involved in:

• Supervise, install and maintain signal support systems and terminal devices, including radio, wire and battlefield automated systems
• Provide technical assistance and training for automation and communications equipment
• Prepare maintenance and supply requests for unit level signal support
• Operate and perform maintenance on assigned vehicles and power generators

The skills you learn as a Signal Support Systems Specialist will help prepare you for a future with civilian companies that design and make communications and electronic equipment or with the federal government. You'll be qualified to work as a communications equipment repairer, radio repairer, radio mechanic, teletype repairer or station installer/repairer, depending on your specialty.

Through your extensive Army training and experience, some additional study and two years of electronics experience, you'll have the opportunity to qualify for certification as an Associate Certified Electronics Technician.

The Army offers certified apprenticeship training programs for some specialties within this occupation.

• Microwave Systems Operator-Maintainer (25P)
• Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer (25Q)
• Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer (25S)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.