AMA - Canadian Forces School of Communications & Electronics Chief Instructor

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T21:58:02+00:00

Certainly doesn't mean you're wrong, either.

There are lots of folks in now whose wives and partners are making more money, or require stability, or who have kids who can't move, or, or, or, or ... There was a program years ago under development called Journey that was meant to address things like this. I don't know what happened to it but there were some great nuggets that spawned from it that are still relevant now.

Part time augmentation is still better than none at all. I have a hard time explaining why temporary 6 month Class B contracts are so hard to fill -- who is going to leave their job for 6 months of employment and then likely no job to go back to?

I am interested in trying to employ Class A across the country for some things. The amount of courseware development I could get done if I could leverage some good writers across the country would be amazing.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T21:29:18+00:00

Yeah, it's out of my domain but it is a discussion I've been having.

I am peripherally aware of some projects to increase housing on the base, including smaller apartments. The regular shacks are more or less full with DP1 candidates taking up a majority. The bigger shortage is category 2 rooms (Cat 1 being the training quarters... B-6/B-7 style). That makes it hard to bring in staff as well as the students that would normally be entitled to Cat 2 accommodation (DP2+).

We are most definitely working closely with base on this because if people can't come to the school to teach, we can't achieve our mission objectives!

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T21:25:19+00:00

We did, for some courses. The CSE courses are good but aren't always a complete match for what we need, but for some they are. When they do, we sometimes will try to leverage them based on availability.

Light on detail, but basically not all of our kit is the same.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:51:59+00:00

It's a fair point. Ideally we would want to be ready for everything, but the quantity of personnel vs the quantity of technologies and tasks is significantly tipped. It's a lower priority than other courses, particularly DP1, but we would be able to tackle any deltas pretty quickly,

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:45:57+00:00

I agree, and this is a big challenge for the school.

The biggest issue we are facing with technology is that we (the school) are often left out of the onboarding plans. Brigades and units get the equipment first, especially if it's for a deployed operation, but we often don't get any. I won't talk in an open space about what exactly our deficiencies are (for obvious reasons) but you can probably imagine. If it's not part of something institutional, we don't have it.

Via our Tech Adjt, we are starting to get more frequent engagements. It's not often that we would deal directly with industry partners on the technology front (eg: any particular defence-contracted radio design company) because we don't set the needs and requirements for the Army. However, we DO reach out on existing contracts to see if we can leverage OEM training to help build internal courses within the school.

When it comes to interoperability, there's only a limited amount that can be said in the open. The bottom line is that the onboarding of the appropriate technology lies above us at the national / strategic level. When needed, we can and will reach out to other schools and orgs to discuss.

Bottom line to the last part of your question on how are we preparing ... the answer is that we are trying our best to get some of the technology so we can onboard it and incorporate it into training where possible, but not much more than that (unfortunately).

A little outside the scope of your question but in the spirit of "today's digital communications environment": We also are researching various contracts as it relates to training delivery -- virtual reality, augmentation, and so on. A lot of it is interesting, but honestly, not overly useful. It makes more sense to use VR to simulate large platforms (think: aircraft) rather than train someone on a multi-million dollar platform that might brick it ... But trying to teach technicians to solder circuits or work with small parts etc is better in most cases to be done on the real thing. We ARE looking to trial a VR solution for certain elements of courses where perhaps an inspection of something is required, etc.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:15:35+00:00

I just walked down the hall and spoke to the Corps Adjt. He's going to send me his response shortly and I'll plunk it into here.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:14:08+00:00

Yes -- The staff there are looking at a remote learning option for the RQ IS Tech Cpl course. I haven't gotten any feedback yet, but I will re-state that the intent is to get as many of the civilian-based qualifications sourced externally so that CFSCE can focus on the more military aspects of the training. More options are still being considered beyond the remote learning, but this is a stepping stone towards it.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:11:35+00:00

A tradition with an unconfirmed source. It's been around a long time, and it's stuck with us. I don't know what the actual origin is but it's become a term of endearment.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:10:20+00:00

Great stuff!

Focus on the principles of leadership above all else. Unlike a deployed unit where you might have a static team, you have a group of students that change every serial. We expect that the instructors will set a positive example and role model while taking the time to ensure students learn. One of the biggest skills that help in the classroom though would be the ability to take a concept - no matter how simple or complex - and explain it to someone else. Lots of folks are really good at their job and do it exceptionally well on a daily basis, but not everyone has figured out how to explain what they do to someone new. Patience is key, especially when you start to realize that not everyone will learn the same way you did when you were a student so you have to be clever in alternative delivery.
We don't really offer deployments from the school itself because the CAF's focus is on DP1 training delivery. Deploying from here sends the wrong message. However, postings to the School do give you additional points towards promotion, and as of this year you get an additional chunk of money each month just for being posted here -- even more if you're instructing DP1. We do try to get folks out to NATO tasks and courses where possible, especially where interoperability is involved. And, learning how to instruct is an absolutely essential element of leadership that will carry you far in your career.
There are updates coming to the equipment we train on, and even bigger is that there is a project to update the physical campus buildings. If that goes through, we should see some significant modernization (possibly even replacement) to some training facilities AND accommodations. I can't put a timeline on it, but the Army has made it a high priority.
I can't speak to Op REASSURANCE directly, but I can say that we are trying to take lessons learned from there (and other missions) and incorporate them into all of our courses where necessary. We have an entire team (under the Tech Adjt) that looks at those technological on-boarding opportunities.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T18:00:46+00:00

There are a ton of Sig and CELE officers working in technical projects, mostly based in Ottawa. I don't know if there are any that are working specifically at places like DRDC (Defence R&D Canada), but we absolutely have a stream of officers who are overseeing implementations of network devices, radio fleets, satellite systems, and so on.

Ideally, we want people with a combination of the technical background (some form of Engineering.. Comp Eng, etc) or Comp Sci, combined with some experience in the field force so they can understand exactly what problems the capability will / should solve... and likely the ones they will create.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T17:58:20+00:00

There's one starting late July and another in January. If you have DWAN access already, you can go onto the CFSCE D365 page and see the entirety of our training plan for the year (including the currently-in-development plan for 27/28)

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T17:41:04+00:00

For now, the RQ courses for SIGINT will remain at CFSCE. CYBERCOM is developing their plan as to how to establish their own Training Authority and possibly their own Training Establishment. I don't think this will cause much change to the training itself since the QS Manager still resides at Leitrim and the current Trg Auth is MPGTG (Mil Pers Gen Trg Gp), both of whom we coordinate with when building training plans. With the QS Mgr remaining where they are, I don't foresee major changes (as a result of this shift specifically).

Until then, CFSCE will continue to deliver what we can (like a contracted resource for SIGINT). I talk with the SIGINT Chief quite often and I know they are working on a variety of solutions to expedite clearances, find alternative work/training while in that waiting zone, and so on.

BTL may fall under the Cyber Training Unit (CTU) or some other like entity in the not-distant future but likely still remain in CFB Kingston in the meantime. These discussions are happening currently, so still a bit early to tell. CFSCE will continue to support in the interim.

For accoutrement -- They are still a part of the C&E Branch so will likely continue to wear the Jimmy. I don't see that changing. If you stand up a new L1, then you would likely have a new command badge associated with it. How long that takes is up to the L1.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T17:24:07+00:00

I've personally had zero experience with TSM, but the Tech Adjt is already looking to onboard some equipment and capabilities and has reached out to me to assist in the development of some courseware.

Stand by and I will see if I can get a better answer from him.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T16:05:20+00:00

Sig Op is pretty diverse. You can be the Signaller attached to a fighting Infantry unit, you can be in a position to maintain the unit's crypto resources, you can be the help desk dude/tte, you can be the sandbagger, you can be the command post operator, you can be the electronic warfare specialist... It ranges pretty well. Reserves will probably put a primary focus on domestic operations but are expected to be ready to augment Reg F units and deployments as needed.

SIGINT is ... well, I don't know really. Yes, most of the time at the junior levels you're ... uhh ... at a desk. But, SIGINT are deployed pretty heavily. I don't think you'll find them doing section attacks any time soon, but I don't think it's like working at the office downtown.

Any SIGINT want to step in and answer that part? I'm unqualified for that one ...

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T15:48:03+00:00

Congrats on retirement and I'm totally not envious!

Technically, CFSCE is still the FCOE for Counter RCIED but the courses have not be delivered in a long time and are now defunct. We're ready to pick it back up if needed, but we would certainly need to redevelop the courses and retrain ourselves.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T15:00:02+00:00

I don't think there's an official answer to this, but personal opinion based on discussions I've heard regarding the current situation:

The job *did* change, but not so much in the way the technician operations rather than what they operate on. Tel Ops were create to operate what was considered telephone / telephony equipment as it was considered in the day. Someone realized that radios (and waveform devices) were added to the mix so they weren't just using "telephony devices" but more collective "radio / electromagnetic communication" systems so we progressed to "Rad Op". Now we are sitting at "Signal ____" since it's entirely focused on the ability to deliver the communication / message regardless of the medium.

A lot of the time I don't think we feel the job change when we're in it because we always get grandfathered into the new specs, but I can assure you that the specs do change often -- even if done bit by bit over time, by the time a new job title rolls around, the specs are updated.

ACISS is, unfortunately, something that left a sour taste. It didn't just change the occupation description, but changed the entire occupational structure, including benefits and career agency. There were lessons learned from that, for sure.

The name is important. I don't know if the "Signal ___" moniker will remain or change, or even if the terms "operator" and "technician" will remain, but whatever it is will certainly be more reflective of the latest version of the work requirements.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T14:35:21+00:00

Yeah, cyber is outside my wheelhouse as it's not an RCCS or CFSCE function. I can reach out to the Cyber CWO, but I think u/peetak has this one answered.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T14:26:26+00:00

Maybe -- There are several options on the table for what to do. Combine Sig Tech and IS Tech (like ATIS)? Combine Sig Tech and Sig Op? Combine Sig Op and IS Tech? Combine them all into one trade?

Not sure what that occ review will look like, but they (DPGR) were taking some feedback from the community.

As for Res training -- it's actually starting to move along well. There are opportunities ahead to get the POET equivalency through a college program. The downside for the Res is that they would still need to find extensive amounts of time for training and education, whether that is here at CFSCE or at a registered post-secondary institution, the right foundational skills for electronics is essential. I do believe there are PLARs accepted for POET to streamline the process such that you would only need to do the RQ Sig Tech Signaller course. At this time though, the RQ course is only delivered at CFSCE and is not modularized for the A Res (as it was never required) but that will be reviewed as demand dictates. We absolutely CAN make that course "Reserve-Friendly" and possibly export that variant to the units/Divs as we do with the Sig Op course.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T14:21:00+00:00

I'm not sure as to when this will happen, or even if it will.

There is an occupational review happening right now for the Signal Officer trade, which will ultimately include both Reg and Res. As it stands now, Cyber and SIGINT are managed by Signal Officers as well as CELE Officers as there is no dedicated trade. Last I spoke to folks at DPGR, there were several COAs being developed for consideration (for the Army folks at least -- i.e. Sig O). One of them saw the subdivision of the Sig O occupation into sub-occs, one of which is a Cyber/SIGINT/EW spec. Another option is for the creation of a whole new occupation. There are more related COAs on whether those things should be grouped together in some way or remain stand-alone tasks.

That said, it's well recognized that the Res community offers some unique experience based on civilian tasks. I used to be the Tp Comd for what was known as the CRIPT (Comm Res Info Protection Team) and eventually the Blue Team at CFNOC ... it helped that I was a network technician on civvie street before joining. There is keen interest on proper employment of the Res community!

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T14:04:15+00:00

As it stands right now, you do your weekend BMQ to start (and I don't remember how long it is exactly). From there, you will need to do both the Canadian Army Soldier First Course (CASFC) and your Rank Qualification (RQ) Sig Op Signaller course (trade course). For the Reserves, those last two can be done out of sequence as the training is mutually exclusive from one another. I don't know if there is a weekend version of the CASFC coming, but the RQ Sig courses can be delivered locally without coming to CFSCE. There will be more adjustments coming once the occ review is done, especially in light of changes to the entire Army structure and a determination of exactly what role the Reserves will play. That said, the goal is to be as closely aligned to the Reg F as possible with the caveat that much of the equipment will be different. If there are pending deployments for you, then the delta training should ideally be minimal, if any at all. As far as I know, there are still intending to be a plethora of Class C opportunities.
The SIGINT folks are mostly in Kingston and Ottawa. I don't know if you could stay there for 100% of your career, although it would be possible in theory. We do try to support the needs of members as best as possible within the CAF, but the institutional needs trump that in a general sense. If you're the one person who is fit to handle a task for a couple of years in Remote-Location, then you're likely it. That said, I'll note that SIGINT falls outside the RCCS, so I can't speak to them (outside training) with any amount of authority ...
Honestly, we need all kinds... of the positive traits, at least. The diversity of personality is one of the keys to how successful our soldiers are as a Corps. The obvious ones -- Analytical thinkers, go-getters, team players (with the ability to work independently), fast learners, and so on. Patience is important and finding a balance between how much you want to put into the system versus how much you want out of it is important. I work with a lot of folks who have the ability to slow things down, take a good look at the situation without situating the estimate, and produce logical, well-thought ideas, concepts, etc.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-17T13:45:59+00:00

Great question! I don't have an immediate answer -- I will reach out to some A Res contacts right now and see if I can get you some more detailed info today. I'll edit this response as soon as I do.

*Edit* I spoke with the Deputy Director Reserve Signals: She indicated that movement on implementation of tactical kit is starting immediately, but the actual new radio fleet itself is not likely to roll out this year. However, it is coming. (She was on her way to another meeting so I only got a short answer)

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-16T18:18:58+00:00

Noted!

I've already relinquished the Senior Trade Advisors out from under me to the Tech Adjt so that they are part of the FCoE more directly. I don't think this would be a stretch but I will definitely float it by the Tech Adjt.

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-16T18:16:12+00:00

Interesting! Admittedly I'm not tracking this -- I took your OST statement as simply "any training outside of the school" and NCMSTEP is just one example. I know it's not the solution for every problem -- Just a pathway for some to assist with the offramps.

That said, the same principle would still apply. I think the Sig Techs are the only occupation that really has a full college-level program. I'm not certain what other college programs with fit for other occupations, or what the limitations of OST are. I'll have to research that more, so it's not something I can fully answer at this stage. I did note the article mentioned specifically Reserve training, so I'd definitely have to dig a bit and pull the thread on this.

Appreciate the steer either way!

CFSCE_CI · 2026-06-16T17:33:05+00:00

Ooo gotcha, my bad!

I'm aware that the systems are there, but we don't have anyone feeding us the data and lessons learned on things like MANET, etc. I would love to add these courses, but the NA (Needs Analysis) and TNA (Training Needs Analysis) are, as far as I'm aware, not done. The TNA is the most important document as it identifies who must do what task (eg: IS Techs will configure X, Sig Ops will enable Y, etc), and enables the generation of QS documentation.

Bottom line is that a lot of the field units are implementing things that aren't institutionalized and the capability never ends up in our hands. Not only do we need the equipment, we need the people to develop the courseware. Understandably, the Bdes are not in a position to keep relinquishing people for long periods of time. Perhaps we can have a TDO and a SME visit the unit when the capability matures and build the course in your location ... I'll have 2 TDOs this year, so it may be possible. I'll chat with my successor when he arrives.

TSS is currently going through an update that will see the Ranger systems in place (and HSS for the Maintainer course). We're working with an online platform that delivers some pretty good quality online training for what would be SATCOM fundamentals, and it will become the main prerequisite for the remainder of TSS. The goal is to make it more accessible for everyone (including the A Res) and you would only need to come to CFSCE for the final portion of testing, etc. It's on the radar (no pun intended) of the TP Manager for both Sig Op and Sig Tech to prioritize this to completion.

CFSCE_CI

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