Newsletters - Volume 55

New ACISS training in Delta Troop

Written by Capt Daniel J. Thibodeau

Army Communication Information System Specialist (ACISS) training initially began on January 5th, 2011. As CFSCE has now phased out the remaining Signal Operator, Land Communication and Information System Technician and Lineman courses and made the transition to ACISS training, the significance of this re-organization is starting to become clear.

2 Sqn within CFSCE trains all ACISS DP 1 & 2. Graduates of the first ACISS DP 1 course will be able to function as a detachment member in a deployed environment, having knowledge of a host of ground based and satellite communications equipment. Like the old trades structure, the emphasis at these DP level is to establish a sound foundation of fundamentals. The result is an operator that can work effectively in a number of challenging environments, with a good technical knowledge base.

A notable aspect of the new ACISS training is its emphasis in developing skilled technicians and operators that are proficient with digital communications systems and the equipment they support. Computer and network familiarity is an asset to an ACISS student and significant course time is devoted to these skill sets. ACISS students on exercise use of host of communications including being able to send/receive radio traffic, GPS positions reports and other data, including email, while deployed. Today's communication environment requires that multiple types of communications be carried over multiple communication mediums. For example, to relay a position report, students required to use satellite communication, digital radio transmission and a computer network to interpret and plot information.

The Sr NCOs within D Tp see a significant benefit to having common training amongst the C&E trades. It is a truism that Sig Ops, LCIS Techs and Linemen often work in close proximity and having C&E tradespersons that share core training will aid in working concertedly in an effective manner. The new structure emphasizes "the operator" as being central. All ACISS who carry on past the DP 2.0 as a technician will have that core competency as an operator.

D Tp staff considers their involvement in the preparation and delivery of ACISS training to be a point of pride. They recognise the significance and importance of the changes being made. D Tp promises to be a busy place as we accommodate an increased training demand and reach a significant milestone: the first ACISS qualified personnel (who graduated on 2 May 2011), now able to make their contribution to the CF.